Makaya McCraven’s International Anthem debut In The Moment is the album that properly introduced the then-burgeoning drummer/producer to the world. In many ways, it also laid the groundwork for a working method that both McCraven and the label have returned to again and again over the years: nearly 48 hours of live improvised performance recorded by IARC house engineer Dave Vettraino at 1 venue over 12 months and 28 shows - culled, cut, rendered, and remixed into 19 potent pieces of organic beat music by McCraven.
This early exploration of the concept is based in the nightlife—in relaxed and unostentatious gatherings of prodigious Chicago musicians letting loose one moment at a time. That the individual stature of the musicians involved has risen dramatically in the years since is only proof positive that these sessions in a renovated bank vault were a casually high-level convention of some of the city’s best.
Featuring Jeff Parker, Joshua Abrams, Junius Paul, Marquis Hill, De'Sean Jones, Matt Ulery, Tony Barba, and Justin “Justefan” Thomas.
"One of the most important recordings to date in the modern jazz world." - Turntable Lab
LP comes packaged in the deluxe International Anthem style - heavyweight jacket, IARC OBI strip, poly-lined inner-sleeve, insert booklet (new for 2025), on classic black vinyl.