Due for release 29th November 2024 via Mr Bongo
CD / Std LP with Tip-On Sleeve
Mr Bongo proudly presents an official reissue of an iconic, exploratory
album by Indian maestro of the sitar, Ananda Shankar, aptly titled 'Ananda
Shankar And His Music'.Released on His Master's Voice in 1976, the
album is a sublime collage of sitar-funk, traditional Indian classical music
and psychedelic grooves, from the Indian sitarist, composer and
musician
Nephew to India's legendary sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar, Ananda's musical family
and upbringing led to a deep respect and love of the wealth of music that
emanated from his birthplace. His travels to the west coast of America in the late
'60s though, saw Shankar immersed in the full swing of psychedelic rock. The
collision of these two musical worlds with a whole range of other Eastern and
Western influences on 'Ananda Shankar And His Music', is a truly entrancing
combination.
First big in the UK in the mid-'90s jazz/ rare groove club scene, when it was
unearthed by adventurous DJs and crate diggers, the sensational Indian- funk
tracks 'Streets Of Calcutta' and 'Dancing Drums' became firm dancefloor
favourites. The mixture of drum-heavy funk with Indian music and psychedelia is
the perfect melting pot. Flavourful and balanced, it still feels fresh and exciting 40
years on.
Like a fine wine, this album keeps getting better with age and once- overlooked
tracks are now seen in a new light. Aside from the main 'club' cuts that many have
praised and loved, 'The River' is a part blissed-out, Balearic gem, part cosmic wild
west soundtrack, that would provide the perfect complement to any sunset
session. Elsewhere, 'Dawn' is a spiritual and meditative journey into Indian
classical music, with 'Cyrus' floating you away to heavenly heights. On a different
tip, 'Back Home' fuses styles and themes via an organ and Moog-infused, trippedout
excursion, whilst 'Renunciation' hits with a psych-rock sentiment to its sitarsoaked
grooves.
A beautiful time capsule of Eastern culture meets Western influence, where
experimentation and intrigue produced a fusion of sounds that still sound as
vibrant and alluring as they have ever been.