Dancing in the Light [Digipak] (CD - 2008)

Liner Note Author: Anastasia Tsioulcas.

Recording information: On The Path Studio, Santa Monica, CA (04/09/2005).

Photographer: Alan Kozlowski.

One of India's most prominent singers since the 1960s, Lakshmi Shankar has an expressive, fluid vocal range that has enlivened the Indian classical tradition for an international audience. Shankar's specialty is the raga vocal, and DANCING IN THE LIGHT kicks off with two extended explorations, "Khyal: Raga Purya Dhanashree" and "Thumri: Raga Manj Khamaj," which are then followed by the beautifully evocative "Mira Bhajan" and "Sindbhairavi Thurmi," two performances that showcase her ability to weave a hypnotic spell. Indian music in the 21st century has been too dominated by a glut of Bollywood pop and bhangra dance mixes, but the stately, spiritual, and luminous quality of traditional Indian music burns as brightly as ever in the great singer Lakshmi Shankar. minimize