{"title":"Makaya McCraven","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"makaya-mccraven-in-the-moment","title":"Makaya McCraven - In the Moment","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"tralbumData tralbum-about\"\u003eNearly 48 hours of live improvised performance recorded at 1 venue over 12 months and 28 shows - culled, cut, rendered, and remixed into 19 potent pieces of organic beat music.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"credits-label\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tralbumData tralbum-credits\"\u003ereleased January 20, 2015\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMakaya McCraven - drums, beats, loops \u0026amp; overdubs\u003cbr\u003eMatt Ulery - double bass \u0026amp; bass guitar\u003cbr\u003eMarquis Hill - trumpet\u003cbr\u003eJunius Paul - double bass \u0026amp; bass guitar\u003cbr\u003eJustefan - vibraphone\u003cbr\u003eJeff Parker - guitar\u003cbr\u003eJoshua Abrams - double bass\u003cbr\u003eDe'Sean Jones - tenor saxophone\u003cbr\u003eTony Barba - tenor saxophone \u0026amp; electronics\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExecutive Producer: Scott McNiece\u003cbr\u003eProduced by Makaya McCraven\u003cbr\u003eRecorded by Dave Vettraino\u003cbr\u003eMixed by Dave Vettraino \u0026amp; Makaya McCraven\u003cbr\u003eMastered by Shelly Steffens\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCover photo by Nathan Michael\u003cbr\u003eDesign by Craig Hansen \u0026amp; Leah Ball\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"license-label\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"license\" class=\"info license\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"cc-icons commercial\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eall rights reserved\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"International Anthem","offers":[{"title":"Classic Black Vinyl 2LP","offer_id":53918411653461,"sku":"IARC0003LP","price":35.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1049\/0419\/6437\/files\/a1054862901_10.jpg?v=1779443873"},{"product_id":"makaya-mccraven-feat-ben-lamar-gay-junius-paul-nick-mazzarella-highly-rare","title":"Makaya McCraven (feat. Ben LaMar Gay, Junius Paul \u0026 Nick Mazzarella) - Highly Rare","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"tralbumData tralbum-about\"\u003eHighly Rare is a new mixtape produced \u0026amp; arranged by Makaya McCraven.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt’s titled Highly Rare not only for the format of its initial release (a limited-edition run of cassettes packaged in screen-printed, string-sealed, firecracker red envelopes), but foremost for the context of the source material’s capture.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe sounds were recorded to four track cassette tape at a DIY show packed into the confines of Chicago dive Danny's Tavern, a place definitely not known for having live bands, let alone live recordings. It's a place known to vinyl heads both locally and globally as a legendary hub in the crate digger diaspora. It's the place where Jeff Parker learned how to DJ. It's the place where Dante Carfagna held down a rare soul party for over a decade, where he first dropped public needles on 45s that would eventually make compilations he curated for Numero Group and Chocolate Industries. It's the place where DJ Shadow still does sets on the low when he rolls through town.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnd on one highly rare night in November 2016 Danny's was the place where we invited an \"International Anthem All Stars\" type of improvising ensemble (Makaya McCraven, Junius\u003cspan class=\"bcTruncateMore\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ePaul, Nick Mazzarella and Ben Lamar Gay) to play in support of DJ sets by LeFtO, who was in transit from Belgium, hitting local spots under the direction of Chicago scene sage King Hippo. Damn-near 0 degrees and just days after the death sentence of the American presidential election, the sounds the musicians conjured were thick with the bitter cold darkness that hung heavy in the air, punctuated with moments of joyful determination – the kind that can only be accessed when such impending doom triggers passionate adrenalized bursts by creators in survival mode.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCogent as the cultural context of that November night at Danny's is the compositional prowess that Makaya exercised in post to make Highly Rare the impressive final piece it is. Demonstrating a deeply attuned development of the production approach he forayed in the creation of his 2015 breakout In The Moment, Makaya again took stereo mixes of the full band improvisations into his lab to edit, loop, layer and arrange the tracks, tediously constructing a vivid new slate of sounds that tell an infinitely more colorful tale than the straight takes ever could. The rough and raw edges of low fidelity cassette recording combine with the elegance and wit of Makaya McCraven's production touch to make Highly Rare a highly relevant artifact in the ever-unfolding history of Chicago style creative music.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003ca\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"credits-label\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tralbumData tralbum-credits\"\u003ereleased November 17, 2017\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMakaya McCraven – drums, producer \u0026amp; arranger\u003cbr\u003eJunius Paul – bass guitar\u003cbr\u003eNick Mazzarella – alto saxophone\u003cbr\u003eBen Lamar Gay – cornet, diddley bow, voice\u003cbr\u003ewith cameos by\u003cbr\u003eGira Dahnee – background voice\u003cbr\u003eLeFtO - turntables\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRecorded to Tascam 424MKIII cassette 4-track by Scott McNiece at Danny's Tavern, Chicago, Illinois, November 20th, 2016. Mixed by Dave Vettraino and Scott McNiece at Dave's house, November 23rd, 2016. Edited by Makaya McCraven December 2016 - March 2017. Restored and Mastered by Timothy Stollenwerk April - June 2017. Cassette Package Design by Dante Augustus Scarlatti. Cover Photo by Jesse Ponkamo. Design \u0026amp; Layout by Craig Hansen. Executive Production by Scott McNiece, with Associate Production by Alejandro Ayala and David Allen.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"license-label\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"license\" class=\"info license\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"cc-icons commercial\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eall rights reserved\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"International Anthem","offers":[{"title":"Classic Black Vinyl LP","offer_id":53918414274901,"sku":"IARC0013LP","price":22.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1049\/0419\/6437\/files\/a1953903881_10.jpg?v=1779451426"},{"product_id":"makaya-mccraven-where-we-come-from-chicago-x-london-mixtape","title":"Makaya McCraven - Where We Come From (Chicago x London Mixtape)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"tralbumData tralbum-about\"\u003eRecorded live at Total Refreshment Centre 18 \u0026amp; 19 October 2017 (CHICAGOxLONDON).\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLive recordings mixed at Total Refreshment Studios 20 \u0026amp; 21 October 2017.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRemixed live at Total Refreshment Centre 22 October 2017 (FRESH ROASTED: Live Beat-Making \u0026amp; Battle).\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"credits-label\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tralbumData tralbum-credits\"\u003ereleased July 27, 2018\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerformed by Makaya McCraven - drums; Soweto Kinch - saxophone, voice; Theon Cross - tuba; Joe Armon-Jones - Rhodes piano; Nubya Garcia - saxophone; Kamaal Williams - keys.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRemix Production \u0026amp; Additional Overdubs by LeFtO; Don Leisure \u0026amp; Earl Jeffers (Darkhouse Family); Ben LaMar Gay; Emma-Jean Thackray; Quiet Dawn; Lexus Blondin.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMixtape Production by Makaya McCraven\u003cbr\u003eRecorded \u0026amp; Mixed by Dave Vettraino \u0026amp; David Allen\u003cbr\u003eRecording Assisted by Matteo Musetti\u003cbr\u003eEdited by Makaya McCraven\u003cbr\u003eMastered by David Allen\u003cbr\u003ePhotography by Fabrice Bourgelle\u003cbr\u003eDesign by Raimund Wong\u003cbr\u003eAssociate Production by Alejandro Ayala, Tina Edwards \u0026amp; Lexus Blondin\u003cbr\u003eExecutive Production by Scott McNiece\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSpecial Thanks: Will Savery, Steven King, Garrett Shelton, Lauren Kasper, Mark Pallman, David Burkhart, Lori Mendoza, Angel Bat Dawid, Ken Okuda, Simbad, Stella Kun, Emma Warren, Lexy Morvaridi, Oran Maneti, Will Shanahan, Kim Alpert, Junius Paul, Jaimie Branch, Tomeka Reid, Alexander Hawkins, Tina Richard, Aly Gillani, Kristian 'Capitol K' Robinson, and Gus.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"license-label\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"license\" class=\"info license\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"cc-icons commercial\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eall rights reserved\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"International Anthem","offers":[{"title":"CD - Compact Disc","offer_id":53918415159637,"sku":"IARC0020CD","price":12.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false},{"title":"Classic Black Vinyl LP - 2022 Repress","offer_id":53918415552853,"sku":"IARC0020LP","price":22.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1049\/0419\/6437\/files\/a0657830546_16.jpg?v=1779460018"},{"product_id":"makaya-mccraven-universal-beings","title":"Makaya McCraven - Universal Beings","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"tralbumData tralbum-about\"\u003eParis-born, New England-raised, long-time Chicago-residing Makaya McCraven has been at the forefront of genre-redefining movements in jazz since 2015, when he introduced the world to his unique brand of ‘organic beat music’ on the breakout album In The Moment. Culled, cut, post-produced \u0026amp; re-composed by Makaya using recordings of free improvisation he collected over dozens of live sessions in Chicago, through incubation \u0026amp; experimentation In The Moment established a procedural blueprint that he has since been sharpening \u0026amp; developing.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHoning this process on narrower sets of source material, Makaya followed up In The Moment with 2 mixtape releases – 2017’s Highly Rare, a lo-fi free-jazz-meets-hip-hop suite he made from a live 4-track recording, and June 2018’s Where We Come From (CHICAGOxLONDON Mixtape), which he produced using live recordings from London jazz hub Total Refreshment Centre (captured at a showcase called CHICAGOxLONDON).\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNow, after 4+ years of refining his approach, Makaya McCraven puts forth an ambitious new work – Universal Beings – a culmination of concepts conceived by In The Moment, and his most elegant \u0026amp; articulated\u003cspan class=\"bcTruncateMore\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ework yet.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSpurred by a desire to connect with old friends \u0026amp; new collaborators in places where similar spirits \u0026amp; diasporic jazz innovations are thriving, Makaya worked with International Anthem across late 2017 \u0026amp; early 2018 to setup intimate live sessions in New York \u0026amp; Chicago, and pop-up “studio” sessions in London \u0026amp; Los Angeles. Though the contexts and logistics were D.I.Y. (as they almost always are with IARC), the friends \u0026amp; friends-of-friends that Makaya was able to enlist are top tier players across the board. Some might call them super groups of “new” jazz musicians from their respective cities, with Makaya as a common denominator. But more importantly, collectively they make an inspiring display of the organic global inter-connectedness of the Black American music tradition in 2018.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePhysically spanning national \u0026amp; international borders to create an album that musically spans deep spiritual jazz meditations, pulsing post-bop grooves \u0026amp; straight-ahead boom-bap, Makaya McCraven defies the simplifications of revisionism \u0026amp; regionalism while celebrating the sounds, settings \u0026amp; stories that define the provenance of his work. Universal Beings projects an all-encompassing message of unity, peace \u0026amp; power by embracing transcendence in all its expressions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003ca\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"credits-label\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tralbumData tralbum-credits\"\u003ereleased October 26, 2018\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTracks 1-6 (New York Side) recorded live @ H0L0,\u003cbr\u003eRidgewood, Queens, NY, August 29th, 2017.\u003cbr\u003eBrandee Younger (harp)\u003cbr\u003eJoel Ross (vibraphone)\u003cbr\u003eTomeka Reid (cello)\u003cbr\u003eDezron Douglas (double bass)\u003cbr\u003eMakaya McCraven (drums)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTracks 7-11 (Chicago Side) recorded live @ Co-Prosperity Sphere,\u003cbr\u003eBridgeport, Chicago, IL, September 2nd, 2017.\u003cbr\u003e*Shabaka Hutchings (tenor saxophone)\u003cbr\u003eTomeka Reid (cello)\u003cbr\u003eJunius Paul (double bass)\u003cbr\u003eMakaya McCraven (drums)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTracks 12-16 (London Side) recorded @ Total Refreshment Studios,\u003cbr\u003eStoke Newington, London, UK, October 19th, 2017.\u003cbr\u003eNubya Garcia (tenor saxophone)\u003cbr\u003e**Ashley Henry (Rhodes piano)\u003cbr\u003eDaniel Casimir (double bass)\u003cbr\u003eMakaya McCraven (drums)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTracks 17-22 (Los Angeles Side) recorded @ Jeff Parker's house,\u003cbr\u003eAltadena, Los Angeles County, CA, January 30th, 2018.\u003cbr\u003eJosh Johnson (alto saxophone)\u003cbr\u003eMiguel Atwood-Ferguson (violin)\u003cbr\u003eJeff Parker (guitar)\u003cbr\u003eAnna Butterss (double bass)\u003cbr\u003eCarlos Niño (percussion)\u003cbr\u003eMakaya McCraven (drums)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e*Shabaka Hutchings appears courtesy of Verve Label Group\u003cbr\u003e**Ashley Henry appears courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRecorded \u0026amp; Mixed by David Allen \u0026amp; Dave Vettraino\u003cbr\u003eArtwork by Damon Locks\u003cbr\u003eInsert Portrait by Fabrice Bourgelle\u003cbr\u003eInsert Design by Craig Hansen\u003cbr\u003eProduced by Makaya McCraven\u003cbr\u003eExecutive Production by Scott McNiece\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"license-label\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"license\" class=\"info license\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"cc-icons commercial\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eall rights reserved\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"International Anthem","offers":[{"title":"CD - Compact Disc","offer_id":53918415716693,"sku":"IARC0022CD","price":12.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1049\/0419\/6437\/files\/0014644948_10.jpg?v=1779460657"},{"product_id":"makaya-mccraven-universal-beings-e-f-sides","title":"Makaya McCraven - Universal Beings E\u0026F Sides","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"tralbumData tralbum-about\"\u003eAn addendum to Makaya McCraven's critically-acclaimed 2018 release Universal Beings, which The New York Times said \"affirms the drummer and beatsmith's position as a major figure in creative music,\" Universal Beings E\u0026amp;F Sides presents fourteen new pieces of organic beat music cut from the original sessions, prepared and produced by Makaya as a soundtrack to the Universal Beings documentary film.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDirected by Mark Pallman, the Universal Beings documentary follows Makaya to Los Angeles, Chicago, London and New York City for a behind the scenes look into the making of the artists breakthrough album, taking the viewer through the story of Makaya's life, his process and the community of musicians that helped bring this project to life. The Universal Beings documentary and Universal Beings E\u0026amp;F Sides album release July 31st 2020.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNamed one of the best albums of 2018 by The New York Times, Rolling Stone, NPR, Stereogum, Billboard, SPIN, The Wall Street Journal, The Chicago Tribune, and more, Universal Beings was recorded at four sessions in New York, Chicago, London and Los Angeles, and features some of the best \"new\" jazz players from those hot bed cities: Brandee Younger, Tomeka Reid, Dezron\u003cspan class=\"bcTruncateMore\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eDouglas, Joel Ross, Shabaka Hutchings, Junius Paul, Nubya Garcia, Daniel Casimir, Ashley Henry, Josh Johnson, Jeff Parker, Anna Butters, Carlos Niño and Miguel-Atwood Ferguson - all of whom feature on Universal Beings E\u0026amp;F Sides.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003ca\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"credits-label\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tralbumData tralbum-credits\"\u003ereleased July 31, 2020\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTracks 1, 5 \u0026amp; 11 recorded August 29th, 2017, at H010 in Ridgewood, Queens, New York. Featuring:\u003cbr\u003eBrandee Younger - harp\u003cbr\u003eJoel Ross - vibraphone\u003cbr\u003eDezron Douglas - double bass\u003cbr\u003eMakaya McCraven - drums\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTracks 2 \u0026amp; 14 recorded October 18th, 2017, at Total Refreshment Centre in Stoke Newington, London, UK. Featuring:\u003cbr\u003eSoweto Kinch - saxophone\u003cbr\u003eKamaal Williams - keys\u003cbr\u003eMakaya McCraven - drums\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTracks 3 \u0026amp; 4 recorded October 19th, 2017, at Total Refreshment Studios in Stoke Newington, London, UK. Featuring:\u003cbr\u003eNubya Garcia - tenor saxophone\u003cbr\u003eAshley Henry* - rhodes piano\u003cbr\u003eDaniel Casimir - double bass\u003cbr\u003eMakaya McCraven - drums\u003cbr\u003e*Ashley Henry appears courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTracks 6, 12 \u0026amp; 13 recorded January 30th, 2018, at Jeff Parker's house in Altadena, California. Featuring:\u003cbr\u003eJosh Johnson - alto saxophone\u003cbr\u003eMiguel Atwood-Ferguson - violin\u003cbr\u003eJeff Parker - guitar\u003cbr\u003eAnna Butterss - double bass\u003cbr\u003eCarlos Niño - percussion\u003cbr\u003eMakaya McCraven - drums\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTrack 7 recorded June 18th, 2017, at Co-Prosperity Sphere in Bridgeport, Chicago, Illinois. Featuring:\u003cbr\u003eJunius Paul - double bass\u003cbr\u003eMakaya McCraven - drums\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTracks 8, 9 \u0026amp; 10 recorded September 2nd, 2017, at Co-Prosperity Sphere in Bridgeport, Chicago, Illinois. Featuring:\u003cbr\u003eShabaka Hutchings* - tenor saxophone\u003cbr\u003eTomeka Reid - cello\u003cbr\u003eJunius Paul - double bass, percussion\u003cbr\u003eMakaya McCraven - drums\u003cbr\u003e*Shabaka Hutchings appears courtesy of Verve Label Group\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRecorded \u0026amp; Mixed by Dave Vettraino \u0026amp; David Allen.\u003cbr\u003eMastered by David Allen.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCover Art by Damon Locks.\u003cbr\u003ePortrait by Sean Owens.\u003cbr\u003eDesign by Craig Hansen.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eProduced by Makaya McCraven.\u003cbr\u003eExecutive Production by Scott McNiece.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"license-label\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"license\" class=\"info license\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"cc-icons commercial\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eall rights reserved\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"International Anthem","offers":[{"title":"Classic Black Vinyl LP","offer_id":53918419059029,"sku":"IARCEF22LP","price":22.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD - Compact Disc","offer_id":53918418731349,"sku":"IARCEF22CD","price":12.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1049\/0419\/6437\/files\/a4180158321_10.jpg?v=1780412729"},{"product_id":"makaya-mccraven-in-these-times","title":"Makaya McCraven - In These Times","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"tralbumData tralbum-about\"\u003eIn These Times is the new album by Chicago-based percussionist, composer, producer, and pillar of our label family, Makaya McCraven.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlthough this album is “new,\" the truth it’s something that's been in process for a very long time, since shortly after he released his International Anthem debut In The Moment in 2015. Dedicated followers may note he’s had 6 other releases in the meantime (including 2018’s widely-popular Universal Beings and 2020’s We’re New Again, his rework of Gil Scott-Heron’s final album for XL Recordings); but none of which have been as definitive an expression of his artistic ethos as In These Times. This is the album McCraven’s been trying to make since he started making records. And his patience, ambition, and persistence have yielded an appropriately career-defining body of work.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs epic and expansive as it is impressively potent and concise, the 11 song suite was created over 7+ years, as McCraven strived to design a highly personal but broadly communicable fusion of odd-meter original compositions from his working songbook with orchestral, large ensemble arrangements and the edit-heavy “organic beat music” that he’s honed over a growing body of production-craft.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith contributions from over a dozen musicians and\u003cspan class=\"bcTruncateMore\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ecreative partners from his tight-knit circle of collaborators – including Jeff Parker, Junius Paul, Brandee Younger, Joel Ross, and Marquis Hill – the music was recorded in 5 different studios and 4 live performance spaces while McCraven engaged in extensive post-production work from home. The pure fact that he was able to so eloquently condense and articulate the immense human scale of the work into 41 fleeting minutes of emotive and engaging sound is a monumental achievement. It’s an evolution and a milestone for McCraven, the producer; but moreover it’s the strongest and clearest statement we’ve yet to hear from McCraven, the composer.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn These Times is an almost unfathomable new peak for an already-soaring innovator who has been called \"one of the best arguments for jazz's vitality\" by The New York Times, as well as recently, and perhaps more aptly, a \"cultural synthesizer.\" While challenging and pushing himself into uncharted territories, McCraven quintessentially expresses his unique gifts for collapsing space and transcending borders – blending past, present, and future into elegant, poly-textural arrangements of jazz-rooted, post-genre 21st century folk music.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003ca\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"credits-label\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tralbumData tralbum-credits\"\u003ereleased September 23, 2022\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMakaya McCraven - drums, sampler, percussion, tambourine, baby sitar, synths, kalimba, handclaps, vibraphone, wurlitzer, organ\u003cbr\u003eJunius Paul - double bass, percussion, electric bass guitar, small instruments\u003cbr\u003eJeff Parker - guitar\u003cbr\u003eBrandee Younger - harp\u003cbr\u003eJoel Ross - vibraphone, marimba\u003cbr\u003eMarta Sofia Honer - viola\u003cbr\u003eLia Kohl - cello\u003cbr\u003eMacie Stewart - violin\u003cbr\u003eZara Zaharieva - violin\u003cbr\u003eGreg Ward - alto sax\u003cbr\u003eIrvin Pierce - tenor sax\u003cbr\u003eMarquis Hill - trumpet, flugelhorn\u003cbr\u003eGreg Spero - piano\u003cbr\u003eRob Clearfield - piano\u003cbr\u003eMatt Gold - guitar, percussion, baby sitar\u003cbr\u003eDe’Sean Jones - flute\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAll music composed by Makaya McCraven; except “Lullaby” composed by Makaya McCraven based off a song originally written by Péter Dabasi and Agnes Zsigmondi. All music published by Makaya McCraven Music (ASCAP) \u0026amp; International Anthem Publishing (ASCAP), administered by Domino Publishing Company USA (ASCAP).\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"In These Times\" contains an excerpt of audio from the Studs Terkel Radio Archive, used with permission, courtesy of Chicago History Museum and WFMT.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRecorded at Co-Prosperity Sphere Chicago; Symphony Center Chicago; JAMDEK Studios Chicago; Palisade Studios Chicago (fka Decade Music Studios); Shirk Studios Chicago; Makaya Music Studios; Walker Arts Center Minneapolis; Submerge Studios Detroit; Sholo Music Studios LA.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eProduced by Makaya McCraven.\u003cbr\u003eEngineered and Mixed by Dave Vettraino, David Allen, and Makaya McCraven, with recording assistance from Najee-Zaid Searcy.\u003cbr\u003eMastered by Dave Cooley at Elysian Mastering.\u003cbr\u003eExecutive Production by Scott McNiece.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCover Image \u0026amp; Insert Photos by Sulyiman.\u003cbr\u003eArt Direction by Caroline Waxse.\u003cbr\u003eDesigned by Jake Simmonds.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"license-label\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"license\" class=\"info license\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"cc-icons commercial\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eall rights reserved\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"International Anthem","offers":[{"title":"Classic Black Vinyl LP","offer_id":53918516740437,"sku":"IARC0059LP","price":22.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"Limited Edition \"Cymbal Sheen\" Color Vinyl LP","offer_id":53918517002581,"sku":"IARC0059LPS","price":25.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD - Compact Disc","offer_id":53918517199189,"sku":"IARC0059CD","price":12.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1049\/0419\/6437\/files\/a3992958598_16.jpg?v=1780480972"},{"product_id":"makaya-mccraven-in-the-moment-ia11-edition","title":"Makaya McCraven - In The Moment (IA11 Edition)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"tralbumData tralbum-about\"\u003eMakaya 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe IA11 Edition LP features our IARC 2025 obi strip, plus additional photos and new liner notes by engineer Dave Vettraino in a 4-page insert booklet.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tralbumData tralbum-about\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tralbumData tralbum-credits\"\u003ereleased March 28, 2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMakaya McCraven: drums, beats, loops \u0026amp; overdubs\u003cbr\u003eMatt Ulery: double bass \u0026amp; bass guitar\u003cbr\u003eMarquis Hill: trumpet\u003cbr\u003eJunius Paul: double bass \u0026amp; bass guitar\u003cbr\u003eJustefan: vibraphone\u003cbr\u003eJeff Parker: guitar\u003cbr\u003eJoshua Abrams: double bass\u003cbr\u003eDe'Sean Jones: tenor saxophone\u003cbr\u003eTony Barba: tenor saxophone \u0026amp; electronics\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExecutive Producers: Scott McNiece \u0026amp; David Allen\u003cbr\u003eProducer: Makaya McCraven\u003cbr\u003eEngineer: Dave Vettraino\u003cbr\u003eMixing: Dave Vettraino \u0026amp; Makaya McCraven\u003cbr\u003eMastering: Shelly Steffens\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCover Design: Craig Hansen \u0026amp; Leah Ball\u003cbr\u003eCover Photo: Nathan Michael\u003cbr\u003eOriginal Liner Design: Craig Hansen\u003cbr\u003eIA11 Insert Design: Aaron Lowell Denton\u003cbr\u003eInsert Photos: Marcus Mader\u003cbr\u003eOriginal Liner Notes: Joe Darling \u0026amp; Scott McNiece\u003cbr\u003eIA11 Liner Notes: Dave Vettraino\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"license-label\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"license\" class=\"info license\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"cc-icons commercial\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eall rights reserved\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"International Anthem","offers":[{"title":"2LP Classic Black Vinyl","offer_id":53919341379925,"sku":"IARC0003LP11","price":30.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1049\/0419\/6437\/files\/a2450526560_10_26252849-98eb-41bd-8284-c333c5574620.jpg?v=1779448097"},{"product_id":"makaya-mccraven-off-the-record","title":"Makaya McCraven - Off The Record","description":"\u003cp class=\"preFade fadeIn\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOFF THE RECORD\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e compiles \u003cstrong\u003eMakaya McCraven's\u003c\/strong\u003e four EPs released October 2025 \u003cstrong\u003e(\u003cem\u003eTechno Logic, The People's Mixtape, Hidden Out!\u003c\/em\u003e, and\u003cem\u003e PopUp Shop\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/strong\u003e into a single physical package.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"preFade fadeIn\"\u003eTogether, the four EPs (and \u003cem\u003eOff the Record\u003c\/em\u003e compilation) mark McCraven’s first recorded offerings since 2022’s \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/intlanthem.us9.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=bdf63ba201aac3a40783dd64e\u0026amp;id=37bcdb2f61\u0026amp;e=902961715e\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIn These Times\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e, and a return to the signature “organic beat music” approach that Makaya first debuted on his 2015 album \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/intlanthem.us9.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=bdf63ba201aac3a40783dd64e\u0026amp;id=be5dec8dcb\u0026amp;e=902961715e\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eIn The Moment\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e and further developed on \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/intlanthem.us9.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=bdf63ba201aac3a40783dd64e\u0026amp;id=88f5d8d9da\u0026amp;e=902961715e\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eHighly Rare\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e (2017), \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/intlanthem.us9.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=bdf63ba201aac3a40783dd64e\u0026amp;id=68d03ba881\u0026amp;e=902961715e\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eWhere We Come From\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e (2018), and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/intlanthem.us9.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=bdf63ba201aac3a40783dd64e\u0026amp;id=90df120c73\u0026amp;e=902961715e\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eUniversal Beings\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e (2018).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOut October 17, 2025\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"International Anthem","offers":[{"title":"Classic Black Vinyl 2LP","offer_id":53919438111061,"sku":"IARC0103LP","price":29.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"Limited Edition White Vinyl 2LP","offer_id":53919438274901,"sku":"IARC0103LPI","price":33.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"2CD - Compact Disc","offer_id":53919438176597,"sku":"IARC0103CD","price":15.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1049\/0419\/6437\/files\/a1027861878_10.jpg?v=1780046848"},{"product_id":"makaya-mccraven-universal-beings-ia11-edition","title":"Makaya McCraven - Universal Beings (IA11 Edition)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"tralbumData tralbum-about\"\u003eThe 2018 release of Universal Beings, in many ways, feels like the moment that the gates swung open for both Makaya McCraven and International Anthem. On one hand, it's a four-sided communal showcase of the inter-city exchange that had started to develop in the “new jazz” hubs, collecting group improvisations from New York, London, Chicago, and Los Angeles. On the other, it is an editing and post-production masterclass – the MVP of McCraven’s “organic beat music” concept – and a landmark moment where his cut-splice-reassembly chops shine as brightly as the players themselves.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe musicians on the album were a combined who’s-who and who’s-gonna-be-who of their respective scenes: Brandee Younger (harp), Joel Ross (vibraphone), Tomeka Reid (cello), Dezron Douglas (double bass), Shabaka Hutchings (tenor saxophone), Junius Paul (double bass), Nubya Garcia (tenor saxophone), Ashley Henry (Rhodes piano), Daniel Casimir (double bass), Josh Johnson (alto saxophone), Miguel Atwood-Ferguson (violin), Jeff Parker (guitar), Anna Butterss (double bass), and Carlos Niño (percussion). In our original press release, we called it “an inspiring display of the organic global inter-connectedness of the Black American music tradition in 2018.” In our off-the-record conversations at the time, we said ‘it’s like Dr\u003cspan class=\"bcTruncateMore\"\u003e. Dre’s The Chronic, but for jazz’.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUniversal Beings earned rave reviews across the board. It was a consensus year-end favorite (as seen in NPR Music, WIRE Magazine, New York Times, Chicago Tribune, LA Times, Rolling Stone, Vice, Stereogum, the list goes on…) that cemented McCraven as a must-buy album producer and a must-see live performer, and brought enough energy to our “plucky Chicago indie label” that we were able to move out of a closet and into an actual office.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003ca\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"credits-label\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tralbumData tralbum-credits\"\u003eReleased December 4, 2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNew York Side:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRecorded August 29th, 2017, at H0l0 in Ridgewood, Queens, New York.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBrandee Younger – harp; Tomeka Reid – cello; Joel Ross – vibraphone; Dezron Douglas – double bass; Makaya McCraven – drums\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSpecial thanks: Joe Jeffers, Malik Abdul-Rahmaan, Alejandro Ayala, Elliot Ross and Hank Shocklee.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChicago Side:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRecorded September 2nd, 2017, at Co-Prosperity Sphere in Bridgeport, Chicago, Illinois.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShabaka Hutchings – tenor saxophone;Tomeka Reid – cello; Junius Paul – double bass, percussion; Makaya McCraven – drums\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSpecial thanks: Andy Dane, Rachel Millar, David Passick, Alejandro Ayala, Angel Bat Dawid, Alexander Hawkins, Ingrid Laubrock, Neil Gainer, David Chavez, Ed Marszewski, Jamie Trecker and Shanna Van Volt.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLondon Side:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRecorded October 19th, 2017, at Total Refreshment Studios in Stoke Newington, London, UK.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNubya Garcia – tenor saxophone; Ashley Henry – rhodes piano; Daniel Casimir – double bass; Makaya McCraven – drums\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSpecial thanks: Kristian ‘Capitol K’ Robinson, Alexis Blondel, Tina Edwards, Will Savery, Mark Pallman and David Burkhart.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLos Angeles Side:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRecorded January 30th, 2018, at Jeff Parker’s house in Altadena, California.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJosh Johnson – alto saxophone; Miguel Atwood-Ferguson – violin; Jeff Parker – guitar; Anna Butterss – double bass; Carlos Niño – percussion; Makaya McCraven – drums\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSpecial thanks: Lee Ann Schmitt and Ezra Lou ParkerSchmitt.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUNIVERSAL BEINGS\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRecorded \u0026amp; Mixed by David Allen \u0026amp; Dave Vettraino.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCover Art by Damon Locks.\u003cbr\u003eDesign by Aaron Lowell Denton.\u003cbr\u003eInsert Cover Photo by Fabrice Bourgelle.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eProduced by Makaya McCraven.\u003cbr\u003eExecutive Production by Scott McNiece.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"license-label\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"info license\" id=\"license\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"cc-icons commercial\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eall rights reserved\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"International Anthem","offers":[{"title":"Classic Black Vinyl 2LP (IA11 Edition)","offer_id":53920276742485,"sku":"IARC0022LP11","price":25.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1049\/0419\/6437\/files\/a3622200608_10.jpg?v=1779460936"}],"url":"https:\/\/international-anthem.k7store.com\/collections\/makaya-mccraven.oembed","provider":"International Anthem","version":"1.0","type":"link"}