Making Music The tradition of Indian percussion has been
revolutionalized by tabla player Zakir Hussain. The son of Ustad Allah
Rakha, the long time collaborator of Ravi Shankar, Hussain has inherited
his father's quest for bringing the music of India to the international
stage. His recording credits include albums with George Harrison, Joe
Henderson, Van Morrison, Jack Bruce, Tito Puente, Pharoah Saunders,
Billy Cobham, the Hong Kong Symphony and the New Orleans Symphony. His
work with Mickey Hart of The Grateful Dead have included performances
and albums with the Diga Rhythm Band and Planet Drum. Hussain joined
with British guitarist John McLaughlin and Indian violinist L. Shankar
to form the east-meets-west supergroup, Shakti, in 1975. Although the
group disbanded in 1978, they reunited to tour as Remember Shakti in
1998. Hussain has been equally successful as a bandleader. During the
1980s, he toured with Zakir Hussain's Rhythm Experience. His debut solo
album, Making Music, released in 1987, was called "one of the most
inspired East-West fusion albums ever recorded". In 1992, Hussain
launched a record label, Monument Records, that focused on Indian music.
A lengthy list of awards have been bestowed upon Hussain throughout his
career. In 1988, he became the youngest percussionist to be awarded the
title "Padma Shri" by the Indian government. Two years later, he
recieved the Indo-Ameican award in tribute to his contributions to
furthering relations between the United States and India. Planet Drum,
an album co-produced with Hart in 1992, received a Grammy for "best
world music album", a NARM Indie Best Seller award and won the Downbeat
Critics Poll for "Best world music album". Still a youngster when he
began to attract attention with his virtuosic playing, Hussain began his
musical career at the age of seven and was touring by the age of
twelve. In 1970, he made his American debut as accompanist for Ravi
Shankar. Three years later, he became the leader of the Tal Vadya Rhythm
Band. The group subsequently evolved into the Diga Rhythm Band. In
1976, the band collaborated on a self-titled album with Mickey Hart.
Hussain has performed on the soundtracks of numerous films including
Apocalypse Now!, In Custody and Little Buddha. At the 1983 Cannes Film
Festival, he was nominated for an award as composer and music director
of the film, Heat And Dust. Craig Harris
Tracklist
1 Making Music 12:30
Written-By – Hussain
2 Zakir 6:24
Written-By – McLaughlin
3 Water Girl 3:52
Written-By – Hussain
4 Toni 3:51
Written-By – Hussain
5 Anisa 9:15
Written-By – Hussain
6 Sunjog 7:36
Written-By – Hussain
7 You And Me 2:13
Written-By – McLaughlin, Hussain
8 Sabah 3:35
Written-By – Hussain
Credits
Acoustic Guitar – John McLaughlin
Flute [Flutes] – Hariprasad Chaurasia
Tabla, Percussion, Voice – Zakir Hussain
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Jan Garbarek
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