Felix Contreras | October 30, 2023
It’s hard to get past the significance of this performance by the Indian jazz fusion band, Shakti. Initially formed in 1973 by jazz guitarist John McLaughlin with virtuoso traditional Indian musicians, the band opened the doors for others to expand their musical appreciation beyond Western music. 50 years later, as guitarist McLaughlin reunites with tabla player Zakir Hussain to take Shakti on another world tour, the group stopped by for a magically inspiring performance behind the Tiny Desk.
“Shrini’s Dream” sets the stage with both melodic and rhythm instruments, before vocalist Shankar Mahadevan, violinist Ganesh Rajagopalan and McLaughlin each take turns calling out to the muse for inspiration. The entire set is a drummer’s dream given Hussain is considered a master tabla player both within and outside the tradition.
Shakti’s music has always been built around complex traditional rhythms and they are on full display with Hussain and Selvaganesh Vinayakaram. The band was born in the aftermath of McLaughlin’s Mahavishnu Orchestra and “Lotus Feet” channels that band’s hypnotic exploration of time and melody, while the aptly titled “Bending the Rules” mixes Indian traditions and the custom of jazz musicians trading licks back and forth, bringing this historic moment to an energetic close.
SET LIST
“Shrini’s Dream”
“Lotus Feet”
“Bending the Rules”
MUSICIANS
John McLaughlin: guitar
Zakir Hussain: tabla
Selvaganesh Vinayakaram: kanjira, ghatam
Shankar Mahadevan: vocals
Ganesh Rajagopalan: violin
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Felix Contreras
Director/Editor: Kara Frame
Audio Engineer: Neil Tevault
Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Kara Frame, Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Audio Assistant: Josephine Nyounai
Photographer: Keren Carrión
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Josh Rogosin, Hazel Cills
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
#shakti #nprmusic #tinydesk
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extermely unusual for npr sound engineering but the baya was poorly mic'ed
The West has so much to learn from the depth of India's invisible worlds!
WOW
The intensity of the collaboration here is sublime. I love the way they are looking at each other as they play this beautiful, intricate spiritual music.
watching this is being productive ❤
Rest in peace Zakir Hussain 🕊️
Very well said
Wah wah great music . Simply divine
Beautiful 😭
Reminds me of my college days when I was introduced to Shakti by some friends. And had the opportunity to meet Ustad Zakir Hussain in my college during our annual Indian music festival! Heart broken now 💔
Commenting the beginning of the last song bc it’s my favorite and I want to loop it – 13:23
mind blowing ! amazing fusion! i hope future musicians carry on this lovely and vibrant blend of fusion music and create such wonderful gems! Long Live Shakti!
RIP Zakir!
rest in music ustaad zakir hussain
Just fantastic, full of joy! Thank you all and so sad to hear of Zakir Hussain's passing.
ustad
RIP Zakir… so sad.
Just came across this. RIP, legend… I hope the world, especially the West, sees this and associates Indian music with this rather than just Bollywood music.
This is jugalbandi at its best.
Man this wild I regret discovering this video so late
Rest in peace Ustad Zakir Hussain
¡Qué gran conjunto Shakti! Siempre muy buena música, que raro el músico argentino Rinaldo Rafanelli, acá tocando el violín.
Out of this world. What a bunch of fantastic musicians?! Thank you for posting this gold.
Pronams to all ❤❤
Epic❤
So casually off the charts🫡🫡🫡
5:20 Somebody remind the guitar it was not meant to be played like that.
Edit: It is gonna be my therapy from now on.
The beat is sooooooo infectious. Never heard this genre of music before. Kudos Tiny Desk