DESCRIPTION
Mr Bongo proudly presents an official reissue of an iconic, exploratory album by Indian sitar maestro Ananda Shankar, aptly titled Ananda Shankar And His Music.
Originally released on His Master's Voice in 1976, the album is a sublime collage of sitar-funk, traditional Indian classical music, and psychedelic grooves. Nephew to the legendary Ravi Shankar, Ananda’s deep musical upbringing fostered a profound appreciation for Indian traditions. However, his time on the West Coast of the U.S. in the late 1960s immersed him in the world of psychedelic rock. The result of these two worlds colliding — along with a wide range of Eastern and Western influences — is captured in this mesmerizing and genre-defying work.
The album first gained widespread attention in the UK jazz/rare groove scene of the mid-1990s, thanks to adventurous DJs and crate diggers. Tracks like ‘Streets Of Calcutta’ and ‘Dancing Drums’ became essential dancefloor staples — a blend of drum-heavy funk, Indian instrumentation, and tripped-out psychedelia that remains thrilling nearly 50 years later.
But Ananda Shankar And His Music is far more than a few club cuts. ‘The River’ is a blissed-out, Balearic gem with hints of cosmic western soundtracking — perfect for a sunset session. ‘Dawn’ takes the listener on a spiritual, meditative journey through Indian classical textures, while ‘Cyrus’ floats with celestial grace. On the flip side, ‘Back Home’ is a Moog-driven, organ-laced fusion trip, and ‘Renunciation’ channels psych-rock energy into sitar-soaked grooves.
Like a fine wine, this album has only grown richer with age. Once-overlooked tracks are now being reappraised as essential listening. A time capsule of East-meets-West experimentation, Ananda Shankar And His Music is as vibrant and captivating today as it was upon release.
TRACKLIST
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Streets Of Calcutta
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Cyrus
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The Lonely Rider
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The River
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Vidai (Parting)
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Back Home
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Dawn
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Renunciation
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Dancing Drums