Indian-fusion-prog-jazz by the masters: McLaughlin and Zakir Hussien et al. “Prog” and “fusion” earned a pretty bad rap in the 70’s, mostly deservedly because of uncreative tech heads and spineless proto-yuppies. But it should be pointed out that Shakti predated them all and built the cast that was spoiled (Shakti was formed by McLaughlin immediately post Miles Davis in the early 70’s). This CD documents performances less than a year ago in India by a re-formed Shakti, dubbed Remember Shakti. Brilliant performances and truly magnificent. Throw away your preconceptions and enjoy (think Wedge and Parag wesson oil wrestling… er, no don’t think that….)

1) “scat” vocs w/ guit melodies, western fusion feel overall but heavy eastern tabla, scales
2) beautiful ambient “dulcimer” type Indian instrument (santur?), slow sparse intro evolves slowly into tabla based Indian music, guit enters midway and melds seamlessly
3) vocal gharana w/ guit in manner of sarod (I really hope I have a clue as to what I am talking about here), upbeat tabla, guit
4) minimal overall tabla feel w/ bursts of guit, etc