BRIDGES is a breathtaking overview of a mere three of the countless projects that sitar legend Ravi Shankar has worked on since his first appearance in the West in the 1930s. INSIDE THE KREMLIN, recorded in a Moscow in the throes of glasnost in 1988, features pieces that are simultaneously awe-inspiring and hypnotic. The more lighthearted tracks culled from TANA MANA include Shankar's good friend the late George Harrison among several other rock luminaries, while modern classical composer Philip Glass is a collaborator on the selections taken from PASSAGES.

“If I’ve accomplished anything,” said Ravi Shankar, “it’s that I have been able to open the door to our music in the West.” Born in Varanasi in 1920, he achieved worldwide renown as a sitar player and unprecedented influence as an ambassador for Indian classical music, revealing new possibilities to such figures as George Harrison of the Beatles, jazz saxophonist John Coltrane and composer Philip Glass. As a performer, composer, teacher and writer, Ravi Shankar is renowned throughout the world for his pioneering work in bringing Indian music to the West. Shankar has been a cultural influence in the West for more than four decades as India’s most recognized and esteemed musical ambassador.

Ravi Shankar has been described as one of the greatest musicians on the planet. This record, one of his classic World Pacific albums, clearly lends credence to that statement. But the thing that makes this record interesting is the fact that it contains a unique fusion of Shankar and his group performing with respected jazz flutist Paul Horn. It's an extremely gratifying combination, and Horn plays with a true jazzman's restraint on the five short selections that open the record. The second half is devoted to one long (20 minute) traditional raga, "Raga Multani," in which Shankar's awesome ability and stamina is matched only by that of his ensemble, especially Alla Rakha on tabla. Essential for any fan of Shankar or Indian music. Awesome.

If you are only sampling Ravi then you may want to buy the "West Meets East" Album. This makes a good second, yet it is still worthy of five stars. The mixture of eastern instruments and western structure show up in this album. This is as much Andre Previn as it is Ravi. It is soothing yet carries a predictable tune. Many hybrids as these pieces carry the plus from both cultures. And Ravi does an excellent job of bridging. If you are a purist then you may want to pass over this album. Personally, I could keep it on continuous play.

The Concert for Bangladesh was the first benefit concert of its kind, in that it brought together an extraordinary assemblage of major artists collaborating for a common humanitarian cause, setting the precedent that music could be used to serve a higher cause. Bob Dylan, Ravi Shankar, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston and Leon Russell all took part. The concert sold out Madison Square Garden and along with the Grammy award-winning triple-album boxset, and the feature film, has generated millions of dollars for UNICEF and raised awareness for the organization around the world…

Hands down, this epochal concert at New York's Madison Square Garden – first issued on three LPs in a handsome orange-colored box – was the crowning event of George Harrison's public life, a gesture of great goodwill that captured the moment in history and, not incidentally, produced some rousing music as a permanent legacy…

First released in 1961, Improvisations features some ahead-of-the-curve jazz-Indian fusion, thanks to Ravi Shankar's collaboration with bassist Gary Peacock and saxophonist Bud Shank. The album also includes Shankar's improvisations on the theme he wrote for the film "Pather Panchali," by Indian filmmaker Satyajit Ray, as well as the three-part "Raga Rageshri." A visionary recording…

As is usually the case with Shankar, the music is quite accessible to Western ears. The jor section of the piece "Dhun" is quite tuneful, for example. And the brevity of the raags (five, ten, 16, and 21 minutes) really helps. The five-minute track is a stirring tabla solo by Alla Rakha with minimal accompaniment by Shankar. Highly recommended for Indian music beginners.