CROSSINGS

It was at the end on August, 1969 that Herbie Hancock resigned from Quintet of Miles Davis. He went out to travel by using off of work. And, it is said that it upset one's health immediately before the homecoming. At that time, Miles Davis adopts active very much Chick Corea for the regular in Jazz Scene. It was said that it had already had an idea left to pursue own music after Herbie Hancock had combined from the origin of Miles Davis.

As for the work of Herbie that had been announced from Blue Note in parallel with work with Miles Davis, a high quality work including very various ideas was being offered. Especially, the evaluation is still known as a high work among listeners as for albums such as "Maiden Voyage" and "Speak Like A Child". Character and performance of not usual pianist when Herbie leaves origin of Miles Davis but electric piano. Or, the ability of the composition and the arrangement might evolved greatly, too. And, Miles Davis started greatly changing own music character and whether for taking a progressive element to agree with them, Herbie also accomplishing a further leap for music.

It made remarks on Herbie Hancock at that time.

"Everything starts from that album. "

The album showed "Mwandishi". Herbie multiplied the period from New York to San Francisco for two months and just finished the tour at that time. The name of "Mwandishi Band" will be adopted taking the opportunity of the recording of "Mwandishi" though musicians who had participated in the recording for the production of "Mwandishi" were introducing themselves the name that is called "Herbie Hancock Sextet" at first. "Mwandishi" is a religious name of Herbie Hancock. The member of this "Mwandishi Band" is said that feelings had combined for the music that Herbie creates because it had the same thought as a companion of the same religious persuasion. And, each religious name was being given also to the member of each band.

A pure Jazz fan might also have the opinion made to have the part where the content of his work at this time is difficult for the content of the work that Herbie Hancock is transfered the register to Warner Bros and left. However, the music that Herbie Hancock at this time created and the accomplished world will be able to be called one of the very important points when talking about his music. It is said that Herbie that started "Mwandishi Band" did live every evening to make the rehearsal a band deliberately repeatedly and to evolve music very.

And, this "Crossings" is recorded in February, 1972 when one year or more passed from the announcement of "Mwandishi". This album became the last work of Herbie in Warner Bros. Herbie will boldly reflect the machine parts of the electron in the work in full scale till then. Especially, the adoption of the synthesizer and Mellotron will have been the indispensable elements because it pursued progressive music that was indeed epoch- making and had greatly exceeded the frame of Jazz. Herbie Hancock made remarks that this album was produced. ｢It tried to make throbbed music by making good use of the keyboard and the percussion in this work. And, it tried to add a fantastic sound at the same time. ｣

These elements might surely be reflected in the album. Effective usage of synthesizer and Mellotron. Or, the construction of a rhythm of Funk listened to everywhere and a fantastic sound might already conceived the part connected with "Sextant".

The element of various music is exactly blocked in "Sleeping Giant". Part of Jazz and Fusion. And, done consistent Groove flows. The oneness of the band that produces the rhythm of the rhythm of 6/8 in fast Passage is splendid. A fantastic melody of Herbie there twines. And, it is continuous in the top visited during the tune many times. The hit of the tune by the transposition will increase the tension and offer the listener a suitable imagination for the name of a song. The part where a few Groove appears might succeed as a tune, too. A chaotic element advances with the power kept.

"Quasar" is a tune composed of the part of five. The part of ensemble of the band is splendidly reproduced while shooting the light of [**]. The air of sedition will create one space before long. Sense to use musical instruments as sound effect. Or, the flute of Benny Maupin expands the creativity of the tune. There might already be an element connected with "Sextant" also in this tune. However, it is necessary to count these music that Herbie did to the end at the time of Warner Bros surely as the top of one music.

"Water Torture" starts from a racial part. The creation of the enchantment element and the sound of the ceremony might be very reformative parts in the music of Herbie. The tune conceives the part of some Free Jazz. However, the entire flow of the album is never changed. It serves and the album is consistent. And, it succeeds. The effect of Mellotron is also preeminent. The comparison might be unnecessary though the impression of some film music is given here. The work is Jazz Rock and is progressive to the end.

The work of Herbie Hancock left with Warner Bros is indeed progressive. Even if this album is verified from the viewpoint of Prog Rock, it is reformative enough. "Crossings" will be able to be counted exactly as one of the masterpieces.