Collection: International Anthem

Founded in Chicago in 2014 by Scottie McNiece and David Allen, International Anthem Recording Company emerged from a series of live jazz nights in a River North bar, evolving into one of the most vital independent labels in contemporary music. The label's mission to "vitalise demand for boundary-defying music" has positioned it at the forefront of a new approach to jazz that honours the past while creating something genuinely forward-thinking.

The breakthrough came with drummer and producer Makaya McCraven, whose 2015 debut "In the Moment" introduced his concept of "organic beat music." Recording 48 hours of improvised performances and sculpting them into potent hip-hop-influenced compositions, McCraven established a working method that would define the label. His 2018 album "Universal Beings," featuring collaborations across New York, London, Chicago and Los Angeles with artists including Shabaka Hutchings and Nubya Garcia, became a landmark release earning universal critical acclaim.

International Anthem's roster connects directly to Chicago's storied jazz heritage through the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians, while pushing into unexplored territory. Jeff Parker of Tortoise brings post-rock experimentation to his acclaimed albums including "Suite for Max Brown." Irreversible Entanglements deliver politically charged free jazz with spoken word intensity. The label champions artists who refuse easy categorisation, from spiritual jazz to ambient electronics.

Named Label of the Year by Gilles Peterson in 2020, International Anthem has earned recognition through Libera Award nominations and year-end lists from NPR, New York Times and countless publications. The label's commitment extends beyond music to physical presentation, with beautifully designed vinyl pressings and accompanying zines that document the creative community. Whether you're after McCraven's beat science, Parker's genre-crossing compositions, or the raw energy of live improvisation, International Anthem represents contemporary jazz at its most adventurous and uncompromising.