Makaya McCraven Announces New Album Deciphering the Message, Shares “Frank’s Tune (AKA De’Jeff’s Tune)”

Chicago-based drummer and producer Makaya McCraven has announced Deciphering the Message, an album featuring his remixes of jazz classics from Blue Note Records. The 13-track record finds him reimagining songs by Art Blakey, Eddie Gale, Dexter Gordon, and more. Below, hear “De’Jeff’s Tune,” which is McCraven’s new version of Jack Wilson’s 1967 “Frank’s Tune.” Also below, find a playlist with the songs that inspired by the new album.

McCraven’s “De’Jeff’s Tune” opens with a message sampled from the late drummer Art Blakey: “We want you to leave your worldly troubles outside and come in here and swing.” The track features guitarist Jeff Parker and flutist De’Sean Jones.

Additional contributors to Deciphering the Message include vibraphonist Joel Ross, trumpeter Marquis Hill, alto saxophonist Greg Ward, guitarist Matt Gold, and bassist Junius Paul. “I always want to make music that will connect with people in one way, where it makes them nod or feel something or transport them somewhere,” McCraven said in a statement. “I also hope this makes them check out the source of this music if they have it. The music that we’re making now is part of the same route and is connected, so I want to honor tradition and release something that people can vibe to.”

Last year, McCraven released We’re New Again, his reimagination of Gil Scott-Heron’s final album I’m New Here. Read “How Makaya McCraven Reimagined Gil Scott-Heron’s Final Album” on the Pitch.

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Deciphering the Message:

01 A Slice of the Tap (AKA Sliced Off the Top)
02 Sunset (AKA Son Set)
03 When Your Lover Has Gone (AKA When You’ve Left Your Lover)
04 Ecaroh (AKA Revlis)
05 Tranquility (AKA Corner of the World)
06 Wail Bait (AKA Wait Bail)
07 Coppin’ the Haven (AKA At the Haven Coppin’)
08 Frank’s Tune (AKA De’Jeff’s Tune)
09 Autumn in New York (AKA Spring in Chicago)
10 Monaco (AKA Monte Negro)
11 Mr. Jin (AKA Mr. Gin)
12 C.F.D. (AKA D.F.C.)
13 Black Rhythm Happening

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