La Vina de S.Balachander-E.S.P (Disques d'esperance-Fr) 1978

Before moving back to the currently ,recently established fascinating threads .
i thought Id introduce another great passion (sneak in) .. one of the Best recordings by the Great Carnatic master of the Vina ,S.Balachander

This is such an extraordinary performance.


Balachander is a master Improviser who in this long raga, pushes the Harmonic boundaries of this genre.
At times the tunings seem deliberately flat ,and ragged ,defying convention and the listeners expectations.

Seat of the pants stuff that will rivet the open minded,from first to last.
Anyone interested in Improvisation , should hear this genuinely challenging gem.


Guaranteed to broaden the horizon of even the most steadfast Jazz-a-centric,Ethno-phobe!

La Vina-De S.Balchander- ESP 165510-LP 1978

RAGA MAYAMALAVGAULA

A-ALAPANA ET THANAM
B-kRITI MERUSAMANA ADITALA


S.Balachander-Vina
Krishnamurthy-Mridangam
Joanne-tanpura

This is long out of print as are most items on the late lamented Other Esp label, a few have been reissued elsewhere.

Heres a link to a great 4 part documentary about Balachander on you-tube

A real pity that this music is often caricatured as the provenance of Hippies , or new age aural wallpaper.