CROSSINGS

'Crossings' is genuinely one of my favorite albums from the jazz legend Herbie Hancock. The second in a stream of three consecutive experimental albums (the others are 'Mwandishi' and 'Sextant'), it is not the easiest to grasp for an unexpecting listener, but is still great, once you can fully enjoy it. The first track on the album, 'Sleeping Giant', is twenty-five minutes of tribal-esque, avant-garde jamming. It is also his longest studio track. The intro of Side A is one of the most satisfying out of any jazz albums I've ever listened to. You hear water-like percussion (once you listen to it you'll understand) which slowly builds up into an explosive introduction to Herbie's keyboard and some upright bass. This track is divided into five parts to develop cohesion in this very improvisational-sounding track. 'Quasar' on Side B is the shortest song on the record, running at about seven minutes. It was mostly composed by Bennie Maupin. It achieves a very spacey sound, something that the last track, 'Water Torture' holds as well. Funky and 'Bitches Brew'-reminiscent, it is quite slow and regularly drifts away from the base beat, but manages to keep just within reach for the trained ear. Overall, 'Crossings is an outstanding jazz fusion album. From fans of Herbie Hancock and other jazz artists, most everyone can find something to love in this album. Seriously. I would force a stranger to listen to this album just to hear their input. Totally worth the listen.

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