CD-Charts Position 1
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A Morning Raga and An Evening Raga

by: Ravi Shankar

Release Date October 01, 2001
Amongst my collection of approx 15 Ravi Shankar cd's, 'a morning raga, an evening raga' ranks as one of the best. Originally released in 1968, (with the same lineup as his groundbreaking and breathtaking performance at the Monterey Pop Festival* from the previous year: Ravi (sitar) Ustad alla Rakha (Tabla) and Kamala Chakravarti (Tamboura)), these 2 lengthy ragas find Ravi and Alla Rakha at the absolute peak of their powers.

Like the best of Ravi's work, the ragas are extremely moving and perfectly executed. Notably, the 2nd piece, 'raga mishra piloo' is absolutely beautiful and sublime in parts....it contains fantastic interplay between the sitar and tabla, the sounds produced convey every emotion....the musicianship is pure genius..
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CD-Charts Position 2
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Chants of India

by: Ravi Shankar

Release Date September 01, 1997
The biggest quality of this album is that no matter how many times you listen to it, every morning it will touch your inner being.The invocations are recited with such purity and sincerity, even if you do not understand Sanskrit, the effect is soul-stirring.

CD-Charts Position 3
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The Raga Collection: from Dusk Till Dawn

by: Ravi Shankar

Release Date November 27, 2002
The biggest quality of this album is that no matter how many times you listen to it, every morning it will touch your inner being.The invocations are recited with such purity and sincerity, even if you do not understand Sanskrit, the effect is soul-stirring.

CD-Charts Position 4
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West Meets East: the Historic Shankar/Menuhin Sessions

by: Ravi Shankar

Release Date May 24, 1999
Both Shankar and Menuhin are masters who clearly shine on this studio concert. Rarely can one hear such complex melodies and improvisation played so perfectly. These two individuals create memories with their love of each other's classical music styles. Jazz, classical, Indian, and world music lovers will all be thrilled by this collection of masterpieces. Do not miss an opportunity to hear utter innovation.

CD-Charts Position 5
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Passages

by: Ravi Shankar, Philip Glass

Release Date June 26, 1990
Unlike most of the other reviewers, I was not familiar with the music of Shankar or Glass before deciding to buy this album on the strength of the most cursory hearing of some of the tracks. Every now and again I just like to treat my ears to something different. And believe me, this is something very, very different. It is simply exciting music, beautifully played, which will grasp at your very soul.

Go on. Treat your ears. They deserve it!

CD-Charts Position 6
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Master of Sitar

by: Ravi Shankar

Release Date June 18, 2001
It is a great shame that Ravi Shankar has been treated to a rash of reissues and cd compilations in recent years. At best it's a pity because his longer concert performances are under-represented in the cd catalogue.

The performances on this compilation CD are all from the vinyl age when raga was squeezed down to fit the format, and the result is a loss of the true essence of Indian raga performance. 30 years on, to continue to treat the western market to short performances like this is somewhere between misleading, patronising and exploitatative.

The worst crime is that on this cd the live Pancham Se Gara track is actually cut and faded before the climax.

Nevertheless there are a couple of good performances on the CD and its ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
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Traditional Ragas

by: Ravi Shankar

Release Date April 09, 2007
It is a great shame that Ravi Shankar has been treated to a rash of reissues and cd compilations in recent years. At best it's a pity because his longer concert performances are under-represented in the cd catalogue.

The performances on this compilation CD are all from the vinyl age when raga was squeezed down to fit the format, and the result is a loss of the true essence of Indian raga performance. 30 years on, to continue to treat the western market to short performances like this is somewhere between misleading, patronising and exploitatative.

The worst crime is that on this cd the live Pancham Se Gara track is actually cut and faded before the climax.

Nevertheless there are a couple of good performances on the CD and its ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
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Breathing Under Water

by: Anoushka Shankar

Release Date September 10, 2007
If you are a fan of all things asian, esspecially fusion and electronica, then this cd was made for you. Karsh Kale is a star and trancends the boundaries of style and aproach on this CD. Anoushka is a fabulous sitarist (learning from her famous father Mr. Ravi Shankar) and sows her skills throughout this album. The compositions are on another level as they flow seemlessly from Indian classical to rock and electronica. Sting is amazing as well. There are so man great guests on this album including Salim Merchant, the Midival Punditz and Anoushkas sister Norah Jones, even Ravi makes an appearancel. Both Shankar and Kale shine bright throughout this journey as they take us into the next paradigm of music.

CD-Charts Position 9
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Third

by: Portishead

Release Date April 28, 2008
Much of the time bands who have gone into hibernation return with albums which are mere shadows of their previous work. This album is the complete opposite and successfully captures the eerie tones which occupy many of their best songs. I simply cannot pick a favourite from an album which oozes style.

CD-Charts Position 10
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Call of the Valley

by: Shivkumar Sharma, Brijbushan Kabra, Hariprasad Chaurasia

Release Date February 25, 2003
A real 'find' this one. I bought this via its inclusion in "1001 Albums To Hear Before You Die" and its discovery, alone, justifies the purchase of the book.

Although unmistakably Indian in origin(and is indeed classified as Indian classical music), the music is, nonetheless, instantly appealing in a way that reaches beyond national boundaries. Most people would be familiar with the Indian music of Sitar and Tabla. So perhaps the most immediately striking thing is the prominence of the Kashmiri Santoor(a hammered dulcimer) and flute which, along with Guitar and Tabla weave their, sometimes complex and at others simple, but always gorgeous, patterns, together.

The music is beautifully soothing and relaxing but never threatens to fall into muzak ... Read More: