ANOUSHKA SHANKAR Vinyl & CDs

Review: In a limited edition closing statement, sitarist and musician Anoushka Shankar (daughter of Ravi Shankar) marks the culmination of an ambitious trilogy of mini-albums. This final chapter follows Chapter I: Forever, For Now (2023) and the Grammy-nominated Chapter II: How Dark It Is Before Dawn (2024). While the previous installments drew inspiration from Berlin and California, respectively, Chapter III is deeply influenced by Shankar's Indian heritage, reflecting a return to her roots; it hears collaborations with London multi-instrumentalist Sarathy Korwar as well as San Francisco-based sarod player Alam Khan, blending traditional Indian sounds with contemporary sound design and productive elements. Star cuts such as 'Hiraeth' intertwine the soulful resonances of sitar and sarod with dynamic percussion, titularly borrowing from the Welsh language term for a deep longing or homesickness. The record coincides with a global tour set afoot by the musician in March 2025, starting in North America and concluding in India later in the year.

Review: Anoushka Shankar, the renowned British-Indian-American sitar player, producer, and composer, shares her first live album since 2001's Live At Carnegie Hall. Between Us... marks her debut with the German label Leiter, featuring material from four solo albums and one previously unreleased track. This album has Shankar's collaborative spirit in full glory, beginning from her early performances alongside her father, Ravi Shankar. Between Us... features Shankar's regular collaborator, Manu Delago, a master of the Hang (hand pan), and Holland's Metropole Orkest, directed by the esteemed conductor and arranger Jules Buckley. Recorded in 2018 during a short series of shows in the Netherlands, the album captures the vibrant energy and synergy of these performances. Shankar fondly recalls the concerts, highlighting the unique experience of performing with an orchestra where the audience's energy was palpable. This dynamic interaction brought a fresh and fun element to the orchestral setting. The album offers listeners a glimpse into a harmonious and exhilarating musical world.