Shankar Family & Friends
Dark Horse, 2023
8/10
Listen to Shankar Family & Friends
Originally released in 1974 and produced by George Harrison, the Indian artist Ravi Shankar meshed Eastern and Western types of music on this pioneering album that sees the reissue treatment for the first time on CD as a standalone release, alongside an orchid color vinyl version, too.
The very pop friendly “I Am Missing You” opens the listen with plenty of Eastern ideas amid the jangly melodies of the lush climate, and “Kahān Gayelavā Shyām Saloné” follows with the warm vocals and flowing instrumentation that’s both mesmerizing and cultured in the busy delivery.
Elsewhere, “Jaya Jagadish Haré” unfolds with a very expressive Indian folk prowess that welcomes plenty of voices to the poetic landscape, while “Overture” carries a dreamy, Caribbean quality to the light melodies and relaxing climate.
Further on, the call and response techniques of “Dispute & Violence” turns into a lively dance number, while “Peace & Hope” exits with a rare intimacy that segues into a rhythmic and worldly finish.
A ground breaking listen that integrates Indian, pop, classical and jazz music, Shankar Family & Friends sounds incredible all these decades later, and it’s certainly necessary to find itself readily available again on these formats.
Travels well with: Krishna Das- Kirtan Wallah; The Rileys- Way Out Yonder