We're New Again - A Reimagining by Makaya McCraven
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CRITIC REVIEWS
90
We’re New Again is sonically updated for the 21st century, but still firmly rooted in jazz, soul, and blues — musics of protest and radical defiance rather than the disillusionment and solitude the original I’m New Here transmits.
90
Rather than make a jazzier version of the original, he found the natural rhythm to the lyrics and built songs around them. In doing so, Makaya McCraven breathes new life into not only the album but Scott-Heron’s legacy.
90
Few of the 18 tracks exceed three minutes and so the record keeps up a jittering momentum. Yet, it is still Scott-Heron’s masterful storytelling which keeps us engaged.
86
The Chicago drummer and producer transforms Gil-Scott Heron's final album into a masterpiece of dirty blues, spiritual jazz, and deep yearning.
80
What makes We're New Again so fascinating lies in the fact that Makaya McCraven benevolently and sonically recognizes Gil Scott-Heron's grief, joy, and legacy, making sure these vital expressions remain the album's true focus.
80
By sampling and placing his work within the radical future of Chicago’s jazz scene, McCraven honours Scott-Heron’s memory anew.
80
It adds immeasurably to Scott-Heron's canon, celebrating his influence by revealing the full power, pain, and streetwise wisdom of the artist in the present and the future.
60
While often pretty and groovy, Makaya McCraven's reimagining of Gil Scott-Heron's swansong tends to drain the suspense and emotional potency out of its source material.
For this review, I take this opportunity to pay homage to a great legend Gil Scott Heron as much artistically as humanly, a great poet and singer. He offered us excellent works, especially in the 70s, and he's a bit our first rapper in history. God knows how important hip hop is to me.
So how do we approach and what do we think of a new re-imagining of the incredible album I'm New Here: First of all, I'd like to say that the tribute is very successful. In my opinion it's impossible to do only ... read more
So how do we approach and what do we think of a new re-imagining of the incredible album I'm New Here: First of all, I'd like to say that the tribute is very successful. In my opinion it's impossible to do only ... read more
I just can't get enough of this tasteful mix of jazz and soul and poetry and that voice! This is the first time I felt motivated to weigh in with a rating and review here. I didn't want to spend a lot of time deciding on a number so I just went all in.
That track, 'Where did the night go'? It feels like he wrote that about me! If I'm up too late tonight, it's his fault. Mostly McCraven's fault for bringing him back to my attention with such a fine groovy sound.
If you aren't familiar with ... read more
That track, 'Where did the night go'? It feels like he wrote that about me! If I'm up too late tonight, it's his fault. Mostly McCraven's fault for bringing him back to my attention with such a fine groovy sound.
If you aren't familiar with ... read more
[62.92] I see to it that I've never been an actual jazz fan, though this peaks some of my interests as it involves multiple genres. The narrator, which is the first title that comes to mind, seals the atmosphere of what could be great studying or cafe music. I enjoyed tipping my toes in the water in this one, though I don't see it in my future diving into this specific sound. It lacks something that I need in other music.
Cool - I'll Take Care of You, This Can't Be Real, Me and the Devil
~~ ... read more
Cool - I'll Take Care of You, This Can't Be Real, Me and the Devil
~~ ... read more
I don't know either of these people or the significance of this album but I thought it was simply okay. I mean it's good but didn't often tickle my fancy anything like The Comet Is Coming last year.
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Track List
- 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
In Library (33)
Added on: December 7, 2019