Perhaps the greatest music duo to have graced Indian Film Industry, they impacted the music scene like no other with their sheer brilliance. These legends had tremendous influence on not only the music directors of that time but also on the future music directors as well. So strong was their hold on the industry that most directors would not think beyond them. Be it folk, raga, waltz…they were the masters whom everybody respected.

Raj Kapoor, Shailendra, Hasrat Jaipuri, Mukesh and Shankar Jaikishan formed into a formidable team and gave number of hits like Barsat, Aah, Aawara, Shri 420, Chori-Chori, Boot Polish, Anari, Jis Desh Me Ganga Behti Hai, Main Nashe Me Hoon, Aashiq, Deewana, Ek Dil Sau Afsaane, Sangam, Teesri Kasam and Mera Naam Jokar.

I have selected a rather unsual and unknown album of theirs called Raga Jazz Style. To think of combining Raga with Jazz and that too as early as in 1968...only the genius of SJ could have brought it about. Taking Rais Khan on Sitar for the Ragas and Manohari Singh on Sax, Leslie Godinho on Drums, Castro on Guitar and Sebastian D'Souza for the jazz arrangements, Shankar Jaikishan amalgamated both elements superbly...only they could have pulled it off so successfully. So in a way they were the true pioneers of Fusion music.

Album released in 1968.

Reviewed by Pilak Bhatt

Pilak Bhatt is a 54 year old Mumbai resident who is still keeping the turntable spinning. Bhatt is one of many avid LP record collectors in the country and also around the world who has a passion for music and collecting LP records. Bhatt has a collection of almost 1 lac LP records. He buys and sells LPs, advises on turntables and has his own Music Circle shop at Kandivili, Mumbai that stocks loads of LPs.  He can be contacted on 9820365979.