The album 'Mwandishi' was released in 1971 by Warner Bros. Records and marks the beginning of Herbie Hancock's avant-garde and electronic phase. The title comes from the Swahili name Hancock adopted, meaning 'composer'.
Recorded between 1970 and 1971, the record represents a break from the funk and post-bop sound of his earlier works, incorporating synthesizers, studio effects, and experimental instrumentation. The band included musicians such as Bennie Maupin, Eddie Henderson, and Buster Williams.
The album was not an immediate commercial success, but over time it has become a cult work within jazz fusion and experimental music, influencing later generations of jazz and electronic musicians.