Hancock reunited with producer Bill Laswell (who worked on the early 1980s albums Future Shock, Sound-System and Perfect Machine).

Besides Grandmixer DXT, who played an eminent role in the aforementioned 1980s productions, heard here on "The Essence" (which also features Chaka Khan on vocals and was lifted as single), the artists from the electronica club scene are Detroit techno pioneer Carl Craig, A Guy Called Gerald, a jungle and drum and bass protagonist, and another turntablist, Rob Swift.

On the 'jazz side' there are contributions by long-time collaborators saxophonist Wayne Shorter and drummer Jack DeJohnette, as well as bassist Charnett Moffett.

There is also a drum track by the late Tony Williams on a composition that carries his name in tribute, accompanied by a static bass guitar line by Laswell, soprano saxophone from Wayne Shorter and spoken poetry by Dana Bryant.

For the coupled-out song "The Essence", a driving drum and bass track that features Chaka Khan on vocals, several remixes were produced by DJ Krush, LTJ Bukem, and Joe Claussell.