Ali Akbar Khan & Nikhil Banerjee

Alam Madina Music Productions (AMMP) was started by Ali Akbar Khan (Khansahib) in 1979. The family-run, independent label has provided a vehicle for Khansahib to release music with an emphasis on capturing and archiving the pure heritage of North Indian classical music. This recording of two incredible evening ragas by Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and Pandit Nikhil Banerjee represents volume 4 of the AMMP Signature Series and includes Pandit Mahapurush Misra on tabla.

The Signature Series is a superb collection of recordings originally released on the “Connoisseur Society” label. They were all recorded by David B. Jones between 1963-1974 in various churches around New York City and are known to many as the first albums to “turn on” America to the real world of Indian Classical music. The master tapes were recorded using Sony C-37 microphones, custom-built, vacuum-tube electronics and mixer, and half-inch, 2-channel Ampex tape machines running at 30-ips. The re-issued CD’s were remastered by Bob Ludwig at his Gateway Mastering Studios.

Recording notes by Ali Akbar Khan:

1) Rag Manj Khammaj (21:38)

This rag was composed by my father. It is a light classical composition mixed from Rag Khammaj. The notes are very similar to other light classical ragas. You must take care not to mix them together. The moods of Manj Khammaj are Pathos and Joy. The fast gat is Rag Gara Manj, then the composition continues with Manj Khammaj.

2) Rag Misra Mand (21:30)

Rag Mand is a light classical melody originating in Rajesthan. When you hear my composition in Rag Misra Mand you will hear a difference between the two ragas. This is because Rag Mand is from Rajesthan, whereas Rag Misra Mand is a blend of Rajesthani tunes and folk tunes from Bengal. I mixed both of the styles together and added my own ideas. The moods are of pathos and joy. You can play Misra Mand starting in the early evening on into the late night.