As it is December, and now our tradition, the most recent (and 22nd Annual) Music issue of the Oxford American Magazine has arrived at Highlife. The focus of this magazine remains on the sounds and stories in the deep river of soulful music that continues to flow from the people of southern United States. This year the perspective remains broad, [...]

We've loved Makaya McCraven's Universal Beings LP and so we're jazzed to hear about new material! "Sides E & F". More info here on COS and here on Pitchfork. Check out this excerpt from a new film. You'll also catch a glimpse of McCraven's band including the remarkable Nubya Garcia, who recorded at Crew Studios in North Vancouver with Highlifer [...]

We’re New Again – A Reimagining by Makaya McCraven​ (International Anthem / XL Recordings) The ghost of the revolutionary American poet/musician/author Gil Scott-Heron must be dancing, and smiling broadly somewhere tonight with the recent release of the “new” record “We’re New Again” by a group led by Chicago drummer Makaya McCraven. Gil Scott-Heron died (age 62) in 2011 and had [...]