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| Rahul Sakyaputra | mp3.com/RahulSakyaputra |
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AMG Artist Biography "Probably the best-known Indian sitar player in America after Ravi Shankar, Rahul Sakyaputra has released a few albums under his name and recorded music for film and television. His participation in the group Vine Sweetland & the Forefathers of the New Millennium at the end of the '90s sparked a rediscovery of his music, yielding a number of reissues of his early recording sessions and the release of new material. Sakyaputra, whose family name means "Tiger Killer," was born in 1947 in a poor family. Hunting was the only mean of survival, therefore his early inclination toward music was not well accepted by his entourage. At age 13, convinced that music was his calling, he ran away to Bombay to seek apprenticeship from Baba Alla Uddin Khan, who also taught Shankar. He lived there for six years, forging his technique and spiritual understanding of the classical forms of raga. Living with friends who owned music stores, he came in contact with George Harrison, and even taught sitar to Mick Jagger's brother Chris for a while. The late-'60s Indian craze was reaching its peak in Europe, so, encouraged by Western friends, Sakyaputra moved to Denmark. Between 1969 and 1972, he worked all across Europe. Shortly after his arrival, he recorded his first Western session, released 30 years later as The Denmark Sessions. In late 1970, he was awarded the Dawn of Enlightenment by Mahesh Yogi of Transcendental Meditation. The only previous recipients were Ravi Shankar and George Harrison. In January 1972, Sakyaputra moved to America, first establishing himself in Montreal, Canada, where, among other activities, he worked for the CBC radio. After a two-year retreat in Vancouver, Canada, he finally settled down in California in 1976, where he began to perform with famous tabla player Zakir Hussein. Between occasional returns to India, where he played in front of the Dalai Lama, he appeared on record and on-stage with Christoph Anders and Patrick Moraz. He recorded his first two solo albums in 1984 (East Meets West with shakuhachi player Masayaki Koga; Footprints in the Sky with Hussein), riding the new age wave. The late '80s saw him concentrate on his painting. In 1990, Sakyaputra was invited to appear in Oliver Stone's movie The Doors. The scenes did not make the final cut (they were released only in 2001 as part of the DVD reissue), but the word got around, and the sitarist spent most of the decade in elegant company, performing for Hollywood stars like Goldie Hawn, Richard Gere, Tom Hanks, and Shirley McLain. In 1995, he co-founded, with poet Vine Sweetland, the Forefathers of the New Millennium, a world/psychedelic ensemble. Sweetland's newly formed label Zemira began an extensive reissue/unearthing program of Sakyaputra's recordings from the late '60s and '70s, while the label Rhythmic Visions released the three volumes of Live in Los Angeles." - François Couture, All-Music Guide 
AMG Expert Review "On the strength of the critical acclaim surrounding the release of Vine Sweetland and the Forefathers of the New Millennium's CD Light Shining in the Distance, the Zemira label unearthed world-renowned sitarist (and Forefathers member) Rahul Sakyaputra's first recording session in the West. The Denmark Sessions includes two ragas (23 and 13 minutes) recorded in Arhus on November 26 & 29, 1969. The music is very well executed and one could hardly suspect the sitarist was only 22 years old. The trance-inducing repetitiveness and strong classical raga colors of Sakyaputra's music was already of high calibre. On the other hand, sound quality is poor: low frequencies distort and one can distinctly hear someone coughing on two occasions. But considering the year this music was recorded and the quality of the music itself, it isn't so bad. The CD also includes an 11-minute narration of Sakyaputra's musical upbringing and his recollection of the Denmark session, accompanied by Vine Sweetland's tambura backdrop. Raga fans and those of you interested in the India-influenced side of psychedelia will find here an honest document of the late-'60s era from a young musician that would soon become a master of the genre." - François Couture, All-Music Guide (USA) 
"This CD was released to commerate the 30th Anniversary of Rahul's first concert in the West, recorded in Århus, Denmark in 1969. Rahul trained under Baba Alla Uddin Khan, the same man who trained Ravi Shankar. The music on this CD is split into 3 pieces, two Raga's recorded in 1969 and a new piece which you can barely hear in the background as Rahul describes everything leading up to his playing in Denmark in 1969. The recording is quite good but still a little dated by today's hi-fi standards. The pieces are long meditative ragas (22 and 12 minutes) and very traditional sounding. If you like classical Indian sitar music, you can not go wrong." - Scott Heller, Aural Innovations (USA) 
"Recorded some 30 years ago, this interesting 3 track collection of Indian music is quite interesting. Though I've never heard of the artist concerned, he's apparently highly regarded as an Indian musician. His first foray outside India was to Denmark, where this selection was recorded. The first 2 tracks here span quite a length of time & were recorded at Arhus in Denmark, shortly before performing at the Denmark International Music Festival, both tracks as you'd expect showcasing Rahul's mastery of Indian instruments. The 3rd track, is an interesting piece, coupling spoken word & instrumental & provides an interesting insight into Rahul's journey as a musician & person." - Terry Allen, hEARDd (Australia) 
"Other than Ravi Shankar, Rahul Sakyaputra is probably one of the world's most famous Sitar players and has been playing Sitar since running away from home at the age of 13 where he was taught by none other than Baba All Uddin Khan (who was Ravi Shankar's teacher), in the late sixties he met George Harrison and also taught sitar to Chris Jagger. During 1969 he moved to Arhus, Denmark where these sessions were recorded. In 1972 Rahul moved to America, finally settling in California in 1976 where he began regularly performing and during the 1980's he recorded two solo albums (East Meets West and Footprints In The Sky). In 1990 Oliver Stone asked Rahul to appear in his movie 'The Doors' (unfortunately the scenes did not make the final movie but are included in the 2001 DVD issue of the film) and he enjoyed renewed enthusiasm for his music. During 1995 he met Vine Sweetland and together they formed the seminal psychedelic ensemble 'The Forefathers Of The New Millenium', finally releasing the stunning 'Light Shining In The Distance' after many years of work. This was closely followed by Vine's label Zemira re-releasing much of Rahul's early work from the late '60s and '70s. The epic 'Light Shining In The Distance' met with glowing reviews worldwide and this album follows closely in its footsteps. Featuring two traditional Raga pieces of 23:39 and 12:51 respectively, plus an additional 10:51 piece where Rahul explains his intriguing life story accompanied in the background by another (unfortunately barely inaudible) raga piece. Having been a Ravi Shankar fan for nearly 20 years I really dig this album, from a Pooterland perspective however I should warn you that this is traditional Indian sitar music so do not expect any psychedelic craziness here. That said I would urge you to splash out on this excellent meditative album, lay back in a deep pile of cushions end let Rahul's beautiful music flow right through your very being...As has been mentioned in many other reviews the recording quality is rather Lo-Fi but don't let that put you off." - Terry Allen, Pooter's Psychedelic Shack (United Kingdom) 
"The mystical sounds of sitar echo beautifully on these two ragas, which were originally recorded in 1969. Sakyaputra emits an effortless, vivid spirituality as his hands glide across the sitar strings, constructing complex and enthusiastic works that are paradoxically calculated and free flowing at the same time. Each raga creates a soothing aura that penetrates your body and practically forces you into a reflective, semi-comatose state. Being a master of the sitar is a feat in its own right, but Rahul's keen skill at evoking a higher state of meditation is what makes this CD a true masterpiece. These two pieces not only course through the air around you, but pass through your skin, changing your own material state of consciousness. As a bonus track for long time followers, Sakyaputra gives a brief eleven-minute narration on his 30th anniversary journey to Denmark." - Andrew Magilow, Splendid (USA) 
"This time Zemira proposes us a very strange record, a sitar record actually, made by one of the masters of sitar, Rahul Sakyaputra. Well, I of course didn't know at all about this artist, which is actually very very talented, believe me. This guy, Mr. Sakyaputra, has recorded this live in Denmark in 1969, a lot of time ago, and now it has been remastered by Jerry Peterson which I believe made a great job, as the recording in pretty ok - and then proposed to the public again. Also, this sitar player at the end of the 90s has made some collaboration with Vine Sweetland & the Forefathers. Of course this stuff is difficult to understand and listen, being me not used to anything but rock-fuzz-rolling tunes but when you try to do it, you can get some very joyful moments for sure, this record is pretty atmospheric and if you like the sound of the sitar, you should get in touch with Zemira Productions and buy this record. Perhaps I am not the best 'reviewer' for such a strange record, but I can say I enjoyed it, that's it!" - Alex Muraro, Stonedgods.com (The Netherlands) 
"Born in 1947, Rahul Sakyaputra is a wonderful sitar player whose reputation places him beside Ravi Shankar, specially in the USA where he lives since 1976. Between 1969 and 1972, before he moved to America, Rahul lived in Denmark and worked throughout Europe. It was at the beginning of his stay in Denmark that Rahul recorded his first western session which would be re-released as "The Denmark sessions" 30 years later. The two first musical pieces ( "Aadi", "Anta" ) are some long traditional ragas developing a mystical aura full of serenity which should appeal to those who are searching for psychedelic music of the purest essence. Some delightful perfumes, which directly come from India, surround the listener as if he was trapped in a smooth bubble floating in the air. The percussions increase the whirling effect of the musical flow. As the tracks have been digitally remastered from the original master tapes, the sound is very clear and that's perfect to set up a sweet and mellow ambience at home. The record ends with a bonus track which is a Rahul narrated number where he explains and describes all his feelings and the different ways that have led him to record the above-mentioned pieces. Very instructive. From now on, Rahul Sakyaputra plays with Vine Sweetland and the Forefathers of the New Millenium, one of the greatest psychedelic ensemble around today that fused and enlightened Rahul's sitar playing with various instruments and influences. Zemira has also planned to unearth and to reissue most of Rahul Sakyaputra's recordings from the 60's and 70's." - Renaud, Zoopa Loop (France)
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