Improvisational global music purveyors, Shakti, have announced the release of the impending live LP, This Moment: 50th Anniversary Tour Live, due on July 26, 2025, via Abstract Logix. The set arrives after the passing of Shakti co-founder and Tabla master, Zakir Hussain, and aims to honor the departed, with John McLaughlin calling it the group’s “greatest achievement.”
The forthcoming live album builds on the band’s in-person performances during their 50th Anniversary Tour in 2023, an international tour that aimed to support their first new set of music in more than 45 years, This Moment, which took home the 2024 Grammy award for Best Global Music Album. A year after completing their touring commitment, McLaughlin reflects, “a curtain came down on a monumental part of my life.”
“On December 15th, 2024,” he continues, “after 55 years of countless concerts, recordings, travels, meals, and laughter together, my Indian Brother Zakir departed.” In recognition of Hussain’s monumental impact and contributions to defining Shakti’s approach, the remaining members have prepped the release of their final offering.
This Moment: 50th Anniversary Tour Live features the final Shaki lineup: McLaughlin (guitar, guitar synth), Hussain (tabla), vocalist Shankar Mahadevan, violinist Ganesh Rajagopalan, and percussionist Selvaganesh Vinayakram. The set was recorded throughout their 2023 run and features sweeping explorations that hit on all four corners of Shaki’s musical foundation.
“I think every single musician in India would have loved to be part of Shakti,” Mahadevan adds via press release, hitting on the band’s global draw and devoted following in India. “I thank the almighty that I was the chosen one to be part of this group, with these maestros who are not only musicians – they are my gurus.”
Providing his own perspective, McLaughlin questions, “What else can epitomize the history of Shakti if not the final live recording?” He continues, “The title Mind Explosion is very close in meaning to the Sanskrit word nirvana – mind blowing in the sense of overwhelming bliss or ecstasy. Now that the album is completed, I find the title to be absolutely appropriate: The music is heartfelt, deliriously joyful, and masterly all at the same time. It is our greatest achievement.”
“For me,” Mahadevan explains, “the music of Shakti is an amazing combination of soul, complexity, precision, and high level of musicality. It was like being in a musical university of life.”
Reflecting on his own extraordinary career, McLaughlin asserts, “I have had quite a number of musical formations, some of them truly outstanding in my career.” But,” he concludes, “Shakti stands above all of them.”
The band shared a sample from their live album. Listen below.
Content shared from relix.com.