by Louis Pelingen (@Ruke256)
With every project that McKinley Dixon puts out in the ether, his wisdom always follow through. As his experiences and emotions shape who he is as a musician and as a person, he becomes a profound individual, influenced by the environment and people around him. Such connections matter to him most of all, as he has always emphasized their loving spirits since his debut album, carrying the grief that is left behind when friends and family slowly slip away. It’s a thematic undercurrent that Dixon pens through his discography thus far.
But what happens when that sense of grief has gotten to the point that it’s tough to speak about that emotion? How does one deal with that dilemma? McKinley Dixon answers that through two things: magic and storytelling. He illustrates his newest album, the aptly titled Magic, Alive!, with a concept in mind: three young children mourn a close friend, finding a way to bring him back to life. A story exploring grief through memory and the imaginary, all coated in the presence of magic. Providing questions to be asked, and moments to be remembered.
In telling that story, Dixon manages to speak about his experiences through that medium. Still reminiscing about the memories of loved ones who have passed on, constantly celebrating and cherishing their memories despite them being gone. Yet he also emphasizes how sharing their stories through his music and his writing is a magic that’s worth holding onto. A way of life that lifts spirits - his own or other people - despite the dangers in living through such a pained world.
Of course, that spellbinding flair is also present through the music itself. Dixon brings the most expansion, collaboration, and vibrancy to his sound, calling down bolts of stirring energy song after song. The title track swells with flapping woodwinds and swaggering brass horns, amplifying Dixon’s boisterous flows. “Crooked Stick” - like the song title implies - is filled with crooked jazz melodies, all shaken apart through Alfred. and Ghais Guevara’s surging performances. “Recitatif” starts in a glacial spirit before eventually being bulldozed by percussive clanks; burly synths, and a manic verse from Teller Bank$. And “Run, Run, Run Pt. II” follows up on the original cut with bursts of bright keys and thumping drums that catch up with Dixon's rhythmic pace.
The constant lushness of the album’s live jazz instrumentation has never sounded so gorgeous and warm. On pulsating cuts like “Sugar Water” and “Listen Gentle,” the former’s ruffled grooves and the latter’s majestic string and woodwind arrangements are texturally rich to the highest quality, surrounding McKinley Dixon and his collaborators’ voices with a touch of gold. This characteristic is most showcased on the lilting sparkle of “All The Loved Ones (What Would We Do???),” with the chorus section’s rich layered vocals, and the breathtaking air of “Could’ve Been Different” that encircles Shamir’s angelic hook, Blu’s contemplative verse, and McKinley Dixon’s steadily wandering flow into a stream of tenderness.
Magic, Alive! is a refreshing shift towards the way McKinley Dixon expresses himself and his emotions, involving the wonderful magic of stories and the poignant lessons that slip within them. Such familiarity in sound and writing has gotten more captivating in this record, where vibrant spells are cast onto every melody, feature, and instrumentation. The act of storytelling is the best kind of magic that exists out there. Not only does it confront harsh realities, it also keeps memories alive, and turns them into lessons that enrich our very existence.