A New Beginning

A New Beginning is an album by multi-instrumentalist Makanda Ken McIntyre. His final session, it was recorded on September 18, 1999, at EastSide Sound Studio in New York City, and was issued in 2001 by Passin' Thru Records, shortly before his death. On the album, which features twelve original compositions, McIntyre is joined by pianist Joanne Brackeen, double bassist Wilber Morris, and drummer Charli Persip. Reception In a review for AllMusic, arwulf arwulf wrote: "In keeping with the textural versatility of this artist's recorded output, there are reflective moods, friendly romps, and beatific studies... searching lyrical improvisations... and rhythmic dances suffused with Caribbean rhythms... Brackeen, Morris and Persip interact wonderfully with the composer and multi-instrumentalist on what turned out to be his final gift to the world." The authors of The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings stated that the album features "a dozen vivid originals that helped to restore Ken's reputation just as he left us," and commented: "Having devoted most of his energy to other pursuits... [McIntyre] called up a fine quartet and released a forthright disc that suggested he was far from finished with jazz music."