In the Now (Cindy Blackman album)

In the Now is an album by the drummer Cindy Blackman, recorded in 1997 and released on the HighNote label.^[1][2]

In the Now
Studio album by Cindy Blackman
Released	May 19, 1998
Recorded	November 18, 1997
Studio	Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
Genre	Jazz
Length	63:23
Label	HighNote HCD 7024
Producer	Don Sickler
Cindy Blackman chronology
The Oracle (1996) In the Now (1998) Works on Canvas (1999)

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[3]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings	[4]

Ken Dryden of AllMusic stated, "Cindy Blackman has proved herself as an accomplished percussionist who doesn't overdo it, but there's something missing from this outing. ... most of her compositions, which make up the bulk of the CD, just don't hold one's interest. ... Instead, check out Blackman's earlier efforts".^[3] In JazzTimes, Bill Milkowski called it "her most profound and heartfelt statement to date" and wrote: "After years of trying to find her own place in the music, Cindy Blackman arrives in high style with In the Now.^[5]

The Washington Post's Mike Joyce commented: "For all its spontaneous interplay and improvisations... In the Now is firmly rooted in the past... Blackman is the principal composer, arranger and catalyst, contributing seven of the session's nine tunes and shaping all of them with a keen sense of dynamics, drama and texture. While her presence isn't overpowering, it is always felt."^[6]

Track listing

All compositions by Cindy Blackman except where noted

1. "In The Now" – 6:45
2. "A Banana for Ron" – 3:22
3. "Passage" – 6:40
4. "A King Among Men" – 15:00
5. "Sophia" – 7:24
6. "Prince of Darkness" (Wayne Shorter) – 7:13
7. "Happy House" (Ornette Coleman) – 4:34
8. "A Strawberry for Cindy" – 4:30
9. "Let Love Rule" (Lenny Kravitz) – 7:55

Personnel

• Cindy Blackman - drums
• Ravi Coltrane - tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone
• Jacky Terrasson - piano, Fender Rhodes
• Ron Carter - bass