Shakti was a groundbreaking group that pioneered the fusion of Indian music and jazz, forming a new genre that transcended the boundaries of traditional music forms. Founded in the early 1970s, the band was inspired by the visionary approach of acclaimed guitarist John McLaughlin, who sought to create a collaborative platform that could merge the improvisational spirit of jazz with the complex rhythms and melodic intricacies of Indian classical music. The original lineup of Shakti featured McLaughlin along with Indian virtuoso musicians like L. Shankar on violin, Zakir Hussain on tabla, T.H. "Vikku" Vinayakram on ghatam, and Ramnad Raghavan on mridangam. Their dynamic interplay and technical prowess were met with acclaim for their innovative alchemy of Eastern and Western musical traditions.

The legacy of Shakti is solidified through their critically lauded albums, such as "Shakti with John McLaughlin" (1975), which marked their debut release, followed by "A Handful of Beauty" (1976) and "Natural Elements" (1977), projects that showcased their evolution and deepening of sound. The group's work was seminal in paving the way for future generations of world-music fusion projects. Each album encapsulated a blending of the rapid-fire improvisation characteristic of jazz with the spiritually infused depth of Indian classical music. Even as the band moved on, their influence continued to resonate within the world music and jazz fusion scenes, inspiring countless musicians with their innovative synthesis and cultural dialogue.

Genres

Hindustani Classical

Indian Classical

Indian Fusion

Indian Jazz

Jazz Fusion

Latest Release

This Moment

Shakti

Album - 8 Tracks - Released June 23, 2023