Record Reviews

JOHN HANDY / ALI AKBAR KHAN ~ TWO ORIGINALS (KARUNA SUPREME / RAINBOW) MPS 731451919527 (Barcode: 731451919527) ~ USA ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 1975 - 1980 Released: 1994 This is a reissue / remaster of two albums by American saxophonist John HandyFind albums by this artist and Indian sarod player Ali Akbar KhanFind albums by this artist, originally released on the legendary MPSFind albums on this label label and produced by my Friend and Mentor Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist. “Karuna SupremeFind albums with this title”, recorded in 1975, features also tabla player Zakir HussainFind albums by this artist and tanpura player Yogish S. SahotaFind albums by this artist. It presents three lengthy tracks, all three composed by Khan, one co-composed with Handy and another co-composed by Ustad AllauddinFind albums by this artist. “RainbowFind albums with this title”, recorded in 1980, features also violinist L. SubramaniamFind albums by this artist, tabla player Shyam KaneFind albums by this artist and tanpura player Mary JohnsonFind albums by this artist. It presents five tracks, two by L. Subramaniam, one each by Khan and Handy and finally one co-composed by all three of them. The reissue includes the original liner notes by Berendt, as well as new liner notes by John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist and Trilok GurtuFind albums by this artist, both important representatives of Indian music related Jazz-World Fusion musicians. The music is of course absolutely sublime, beautifully recorded and probably one of the purest examples of the fusion between Jazz and Indian Music ever recorded. Of course the Indo-Jazz recordings by John MayerFind albums by this artist in UK in the 1960s / 1970s and John McLaughlin / ShaktiFind albums by this artist recordings in the 1970s / 2020s are equally enthralling, this music is obviously way closely related to the spirit of Indian Music, and Handy’s improvisations sound like direct transfigurations of Indian tradition. Overall, this is a marvelous piece of music in every respect, and an absolute must to all hardcore Jazz-World Fusion connoisseurs, especially those interested in the Jazz / Indian Music connections. Sadly, this music is relatively obscure and deserves much more recognition / exposure, being a true classic of the genre!

Updated: 14/03/2026Posted: 14/03/2026

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