Deciphering the Message

For the composition by the Jazz Messengers, see The Jazz Messengers (album).
Deciphering the Message
Studio album by
Makaya McCraven
ReleasedNovember 19, 2021 (2021-11-19)
GenreJazz
Length42:14
LabelBlue Note
ProducerMakaya McCraven
Makaya McCraven chronology
Universal Beings E&F Sides
(2020) 		Deciphering the Message
(2021) 		In These Times
(2022)

Deciphering the Message is a studio album by American drummer, composer, and record producer Makaya McCraven. It was released on November 19, 2021, through Blue Note Records. It received generally favorable reviews from critics.[1]

Background

Makaya McCraven is an American drummer, composer, and record producer based in Chicago.[2] Deciphering the Message is a 13-track album, containing his rework of classics from the Blue Note Records catalog.[3] It features contributions from Joel Ross, De'Sean Jones, Jeff Parker, Matt Gold, Junius Paul, Marquis Hill, and Greg Ward.[4] It was released on November 19, 2021, through Blue Note Records.[3]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic78/100[1]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStar[5]
DownBeatStarStarStarHalf star[6]
The GuardianStarStarStarStar[7]
Loud and Quiet8/10[8]
MojoStarStarStarStar[9]
Pitchfork7.4/10[10]
PopMatters8/10[11]
Uncut6/10[12]

According to the review aggregator Metacritic, Deciphering the Message received "generally favorable reviews" based on a weighted average score of 78 out of 100 from 7 critic scores.[1]

John Fordham of The Guardian stated, "Jazzers who know every twitch of the originals won't abandon them now, and some, this writer included, will miss the fascinating long-form stories of resourceful improvisers on these barely two-minutes-plus tracks."[7] He added, "But McCraven is balancing jazz's precious tradition and its present and future here, and that's a priceless contribution."[7] Thom Jurek of AllMusic wrote, "His own hope for Deciphering the Message is to point new listeners toward the originals."[5] He added, "As wonderful as that intention is, this album is a phenomenal listening experience in its own right."[5]

Andrew Sacher of BrooklynVegan included the album in his list of the "12 Great Jazz Albums from 2021".[13]

Track listing

Deciphering the Message track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."A Slice of the Top"Hank Mobley3:11
2."Sunset"Kenny Dorham3:48
3."When Your Lover Has Gone"Einar Aaron Swan2:11
4."Ecaroh"Horace Silver2:57
5."Tranquillity"Robert Hutcherson3:39
6."Wail Bait"Quincy Jones2:09
7."Coppin' the Haven"Kenny Drew2:35
8."Frank's Tune"Frank R Strozier3:37
9."Autumn in New York"Vernon Duke5:55
10."Monaco"Kenny Dorham2:24
11."Mr. Jin"Wayne Shorter2:57
12."C.F.D."Jack Wilson Jr.3:17
13."Black Rhythm Happening"Eddie Gale Stevens3:34
Total length:42:14

Charts

Chart performance for Deciphering the Message
Chart (2021) Peak
position
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[14] 97
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[15] 98
UK Jazz & Blues Albums (OCC)[16] 8

References

  1. ^ a b c "Deciphering the Message by Makaya McCraven". Metacritic. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  2. ^ Jurek, Thom. "Makaya McCraven". AllMusic. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  3. ^ a b Sacher, Andrew (August 25, 2021). "Makaya McCraven reworks Blue Note classics for new LP 'Deciphering the Message' (stream a track)". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  4. ^ Liu, Kelly (August 25, 2021). "Makaya McCraven Announces New Album Deciphering the Message, Shares "Frank's Tune (AKA De'Jeff's Tune)": Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  5. ^ a b c Jurek, Thom. "Deciphering the Message - Makaya McCraven". AllMusic. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  6. ^ Murph, John (December 2021). "Makaya McCraven Deciphering The Message". DownBeat. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  7. ^ a b c Fordham, John (December 3, 2021). "Makaya McCraven: Deciphering the Message review – ingenious hard-bop homage". The Guardian. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  8. ^ Vinti, Mike (November 15, 2021). "Makaya McCraven - Deciphering The Message". Loud and Quiet. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  9. ^ Cowan, Andy (January 2022). "Mojo Filter". Mojo. p. 83.
  10. ^ Ruiz, Matthew Ismael (November 24, 2021). "Makaya McCraven: Deciphering the Message". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  11. ^ Garratt, John (November 17, 2021). "Makaya McCraven Brings DJing Skills to 'Deciphering the Message'". PopMatters. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  12. ^ Hasted, Nick (December 2021). "New Albums". Uncut. p. 31.
  13. ^ Sacher, Andrew (December 23, 2021). "12 Great Jazz Albums from 2021". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  14. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Makaya McCraven – Deciphering The Message" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  15. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Makaya McCraven – Deciphering The Message". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  16. ^ "Official Jazz & Blues Albums Chart on 26/11/2021 – Top 30". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 19, 2026.

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