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

CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

L. SUBRAMANIAM / STEPHANE GRAPPELLI ~ CONVERSATIONS MILESTONE 025218913027 (Barcode: 025218913027) ~ INDIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1984 Released: 1984 This is an album by the duo of Jazz violinists / composers Indian L. SubramaniamFind albums by this artist and French Stephane GrappelliFind albums by this artist. They are accompanied by a group of American Jazz players, which includes keyboardist Joe SampleFind albums by this artist, guitarist George StrunzFind albums by this artist, bassist Jerry WattsFind albums by this artist, drummer Ron WagnerFind albums by this artist and several others. The album presents eight tracks, six of which are original compositions by L. Subramaniam, one is by Grappelli and one is an arrangement of a Classical piece. L. Subramaniam is a distinguished world-class violinist, who performs both Classical Music, traditional Indian Music and Jazz / Fusion. Grappelli is known for his pioneering role in European Jazz and as the Godfather of Gypsy Jazz. Despite the stylistic and age differences (Grappelli is forty years older), the two Masters manage to play together splendidly, exchanging licks and displaying their virtuosity at its full glamour. Although as far as the music is concerned, the album offers nothing extraordinary, but of course in this case the focus of the attention is on the instrumental abilities by the two players. Overall, this is a summit meeting between two great violinists, which catches the only musical cooperation between them, and which showcases their talents both separately and as a team.

Updated: 30/07/2026Posted: 30/07/2026

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend