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Gil Scott-Heron / Makaya McCraven: We're New Again
ByXL Recordings released its first reworking of the album in 2011, converting the original dark material to post-dubstep dance music and rechristening the album as We're New Here. It didn't take on the U.S. charts but made a dent in the UK. Not content with two versions, the label approached Chicago-based jazz drummer Makaya McCraven in 2019 to put another unique spin on the music.
McCraven has played in strong company from both sides of the Atlantic. His acclaimed Universal Beings (International Anthem, 2018) featured half of Rob Mazurek's Chicago Underground Quartet in saxophonist Josh Johnson and guitarist Jeff Parker, and UK pioneer saxophonists Shabaka Hutchings and Nubya Garcia. An earlier release on that label, In the Moment (2015) included bassist Matt Ulery and trumpeter Marquis Hill. McCraven frequently wears multiple hats as percussionist, electronics artist, and producer.
The song "I'm New Here" is equal parts bravado and doubt as when Scott-Heron sings "Well, I'm new here and I forget. Does that mean big or small?" McCraven's reworking of the music lends the piece a lightness in stark contrast to the message. In other cases, such as "Lily Scott (Broken Home, Pt.3)," Jeff Parker's gentle guitar and Brandee Younger's harp add a flawless spiritual touch to the story of Scott-Heron's grandmother. McCraven wisely does not pull apart the two classic blues pieces "Me and the Devil," and "I'll Take Care of You."
Much of Scott-Heron's original recording of this material was a mixture of world-weariness, resignation, and fear of the sad, inevitable end. Those emotions come through clearly in "New York is Killing Me" and "Running." What McCraven sometimes does here is spin the substance with new instrumentation and blur the emotion. We're New Again is an interesting addition to McCraven's impressive catalog but not a necessity for fans of Scott-Heron.
Track Listing
Special Tribute (Broken Home, Pt. 1); I'm New Here; Running; Blessed Parents; New York is Killing Me; The Patch (Broken Home, Pt. 2); People of the Light; Being Blessed; Where Did the Night Go; Lily Scott (Broken Home, Pt.3); I'll Take Care of You; I've Been Me; This Can't Be Real; Piano Player; The Crutch; Guided (Broken Home, Pt.4); Certain Bad Things; Me and the Devil.
Personnel
Gil Scott-Heron
vocalsMakaya McCraven
drumsJeff Parker
guitarBrandee Younger
harpJunius Paul
bass, electricBen LaMar Gay
multi-instrumentalistAlbum information
Title: We're New Again | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: XL Recordings