Crossings

Released in 1972 on Warner Bros., Crossings is the second of three albums recorded by Hancock’s Mwandishi sextet. It is historically significant for the introduction of Dr. Patrick Gleeson, who was originally hired to set up the synthesizers but became a full member, marking one of the first times a dedicated synthesist appeared on a jazz record. The album consists of only three tracks, including the side-long epic 'Sleeping Giant.' Sonically, it bridges the gap between the modal jazz of the 1960s and the electronic funk Hancock would later perfect. Critics often cite this as Hancock's most experimental work, praised for its dense layering and 'outer space' textures. It remains a cornerstone of the afrofuturist canon, blending African rhythmic sensibilities with European electronic avant-garde techniques.