What makes Crossing by Oregon notable?

The album is significant for its fusion of diverse musical styles, which helped elevate the genre of world music within the jazz community. It received positive critical reception and showcased Oregon's unique ability to create immersive soundscapes, influencing countless artists in the new age and contemporary jazz scenes. By the time 'Crossing' was released in 1985, Oregon had already established themselves as pioneers of blending jazz with world music elements. This album followed their critically acclaimed record 'Out of the Woods' (1982), marking a continuation of their innovative exploration into new sonic territories.

Crossing works well if you're into lush melodic explorations with patience, immersive soundscapes for reflection and dynamic interplay of instruments.

How many songs are on Crossing?

Crossing has 9 tracks, running approximately 49 minutes.

Crossing

Oregon · 1985

49 min · 9 tracks · classical music

A rich tapestry of world music influences interwoven with avant-garde improvisation and lush melodic structures.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Queen of Sydney — This opening track features intricate interplay between instruments, setting an atmospheric tone that exemplifies the album's adventurous spirit.
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Alpenbridge — A standout piece that blends classical influences with jazz improvisation, showcasing the band's technical prowess and seamless cohesion.
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The Glide — This track embodies Oregon’s characteristic sound, with its ethereal melodies and rhythmic complexity that invite deep listening.
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Crossing — As the title track, it encapsulates the central theme of journey and transformation, featuring a breathtaking fusion of styles.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate compositions and skilled improvisation, blending diverse influences effectively.

What we noticed

Each piece varies in tempo and mood, with some tracks like 'Queen of Sydney' starting with a slow build before transitioning into more complex rhythms.
Improvisation plays a key role, as seen in tracks like 'The Glide', where musicians interact dynamically, responding to each other's phrases.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

lush melodic explorations with patience
immersive soundscapes for reflection
dynamic interplay of instruments
gentle rhythms for focused work

Maybe skip if you

seekers of instant gratification
prefer straightforward song structures

Where this album fits

Career context: By the time 'Crossing' was released in 1985, Oregon had already established themselves as pioneers of blending jazz with world music elements. This album followed their critically acclaimed record 'Out of the Woods' (1982), marking a continuation of their innovative exploration into new sonic territories.
Stylistic neighbors: Shakti· John McLaughlin· Zakir Hussain

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Queen of Sydney 8:17
2 Pepé Linque 4:21
3 Alpenbridge 6:31
4 Travel by Day 4:23
5 Kronach Waltz 3:08
6 The Glide 6:13
7 Amaryllis 8:55
8 Looking-Glass Man 4:26
9 Crossing 3:13

What to play next

Listen next

Ecotopia

1987

Go back to

Oregon

1983

Full Oregon discography Artists like Oregon

jazz fusion new age music

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata