Indian Sitar Stuff

There are three labels you will want to look for. The first is anything on Connoisseur Society. They are superbly recorded and there are special 45rpm editions of some of the LPs. This was being done back in the 60s and early 70s! All tube mastered too. Ali Akbar Khan was on this label.

The second label is of course EMI, who maintained recording studios in India. They recorded a complete series of many musicians and the recordings are gold. The India-pressed recordings (from Dum Dum, India) are excellent. Vilayat Khan, the unchallenged master of the Sitar, was on this label.

Nonesuch also produced some interesting recordings that should not be ignored. Sound quality is quite good.

I've not run into any recordings on World Pacific that were particularly impressive, although some of them are interesting due to the unusual nature of some of the material.

Have fun!

Wow. I've done some initial looking for these labels, Atma. I thought some of the jazz records I've bought were expensive! :-) Oh well, yuz pay fer yer plaeasures!

I second the Ali Akbar Khan - also check out the CD entitled RAIN on ECM label.

Although not sitar you might try "Gathering Rain Clouds" and "Saradamani" by V.M. Bhatt. Both are on Water Lily vinyl and are superb quality recordings. Here's a link to Bhatt's AMG info.

I second the Waterlily CD's. Check out Ali Akbar Khan's 2 SACD set on the Waterlilly label, also look for reissues of connoiser society recordings under Ali Akbar Khans own label - AMMP. On EMI vinyl look for Ustad Vilayat Khan. For Ustad Vilyat Khan on CD's look for India Archive Music & Navras CD's. I also suggest Pt. Nikhil Baneerje his bio/discography can be found on Raga Records site. Happy listening.