Signature Volume 1: The Signature Series is a reissue program of Ali Akbar Khan's Connoisseur Society works, remastered and repackaged with historically updated notes. He is accompanied by Mahapurush Misra on tabla, one of Khan's most spirited collaborators. The exemplary recording combines the night raga "Chandranandan," "Gauri Manjari" (an experimental composition), and "Jogiya Kalingra." They are performances to return to again and again.
Pandit Shivkumar Sharma and Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia reunite some 30 years later for a follow-up to their beautiful and groundbreaking Call of the Valley. Sharma (santoor) and Chaurasia (flute) were highly regarded on their instruments back then, and are now acknowledged as living masters. Although Brij Bhushan Kabra has been replaced on Indian acoustic slide guitar by Jayanti Shah, the overall mood is just as lovely and contemplative, even though the role of the guitar has been diminished. The Valley Recalls is beautiful, gentle work, and a worthy successor to Call of the Valley.
When I was about 14 years old in 1988, I heard Pandit Bhimsen Joshi voice very first time in my life in an Indian National Integration song called 'Mile Sur Mera Tumhara'. The moment I heard his voice, I felt like my spine was shaking with an ultimate bliss and I still have the same feeling whenever I listen to his voice. In my opinion and experience, he has Khayal's greatest male voice. Although 'Pandit Bhimsen Joshi' born in Karnataka (South India), he achieved greatest success in North Indian Classical Music.