Makaya McCraven ENTER TEASER

Makaya McCraven

Makaya McCraven Sulyiman/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Sulyiman/Courtesy of the artist

Makaya McCraven on World Cafe

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Illustration: Huston Wilson for NPR

Countdown: The Top 10 Albums of 2022

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The best music of September includes releases from (top left, clockwise) Björk, Makaya McCraven, Sudan Archives, Alex G and Tyler Childers. Courtesy of the artists hide caption

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NPR's favorite music of September, from untraditional gospel to mushroom music

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With In These Times, Makaya McCraven has perfected a method in which he weaves jazz improvisation and hip-hop recording techniques together with sensitivity that masks an obsessive attention to detail. Sulyiman Stokes/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Sulyiman Stokes/Courtesy of the artist

Beth Orton's new record, Weather Alive, finds the singer taking control of her own sound. Eliot Lee Hazel/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Eliot Lee Hazel/Courtesy of the artist

New Music Friday: The best releases out Sept. 23

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Adele's long-awaited 30 tops NPR Music's picks for the best albums out on Nov. 19. Simon Emmett/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Simon Emmett/Courtesy of the artist

New Music Friday: The top 7 albums out on Nov. 19

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Makaya McCraven has a unique style where he makes improvised live recordings, then builds on them in the studio. His new album, which uses this method, is called Universal Beings E&F Sides. David Marques/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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David Marques/Courtesy of the artist

Drummer Makaya McCraven, The 'Beat Scientist,' Talks About His New Album

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Mary Halvorson's volatile and cagey album Code Girl is her first set full of songs with lyrics, both a departure from and extension of her earlier work and one of Nate Chinen's favorite albums of 2018. Ross Mantle for NPR hide caption

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Ross Mantle for NPR