Macy Gray: Stripped 2016 The Hirsch Center (Hybrid SACD) HiRES 96/24 Chesky Records 2025 Release Date: 5/9/2025
Description
In 2016, Macy Gray arrived at The Hirsch Center, a former Roman Catholic Church in Brooklyn, to make "Stripped," one of the most unusual and extraordinary albums in her discography. A project put together by the audiophile label Chesky Records, Stripped was recorded in two days with Gray accompanied by guitarist Russell Malone, bassist Daryl Johns, drummer Ari Hoenig, and trumpeter Wallace Roney, all seasoned, well-pedigreed jazz cats. Gray served up remakes of several of her key back catalog titles, including 'I Try' and 'Sweet Baby.'
Also included were some new songs, like the infectious 'Annabelle,' and jazzy makeovers of Metallica's 'Nothing Else Matters' and Bob Marley's iconic 'Redemption Song.' With it's pared-back arrangements allowing her inimitable voice to shine, Stripped revealed a side of Macy Gray that had never been heard before.
"Stripped" was Gray's first jazz album, and it was a commercial success and critically acclaimed. It debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart. This re-release will be available on SACD Hybrid Stereo.
