Even if you're not a lover of Indian music you've heard of Ravi Shankar. After becoming George Harrison's friend and mentor in 1965 (around the time of Rubber Soul) the exposure he gained in the world of western pop music is well documented with his performances at the Monterey Pop Festival, Woodstock and the Concert for Bangladesh. Thanks to Harrison, the sound of the sitar became the craze in many 60's tunes post Norwegian Wood. ~ Hey FastRMacR, if you want to lend your formidable Beatle knowledge to this feel free! heh! ;-)
I've read comments saying this was the emergence of "world music", but really Ravi was ahead of that curve already bringing in western jazz musicians to play on traditional Indian compositions. American jazz flutist Paul Horn joined Shankar for five short selections on the Portrait of Genius album released in 1964 in which Horn really showcases the virtues of simplicity and restraint. On this track, Tabla-Dhwani, Shankar allows Horn and the greatest tabla player to ever live, Ustad Alla Rakha, to shine.
My Trusted MOGs