Ananda Shankar and His Music

Originally released in 1976, this album by Indian sitarist Shankar would later find cult popularity in the 90s UK rare groove scene. Inspired by travels to the US west coast in the late 60s, Shankar’s music is a playful fusion of Indian classical with funk grooves and psychedelic rock, replete with tabla, analogue synthesizers and organ. Opener ‘Streets of Calcutta’ is the perfect introduction, being a favourite on the nightclub scene; with Shankar’s catchy sitar melody bolstered by an infectious rhythm section and occasional flute and Moog interjections. ‘The River’ offers an enjoyable contrast, with an almost Ennio Morricone-esque arrangement, featuring acoustic guitars and wordless vocals. ‘Dawn’ is the closest in spirit to an Indian classical performance, with sarangi (fiddle) and bansuri (flute) dancing around a plaintive central vocal performance, before gradually building to a beautiful sitar solo by Shankar. ‘Dancing Drums’ is a fitting closer, rounding off a welcome reissue of an under-appreciated musician and composer.