Jazz greats also recorded with guitarist Carlton Kitto and percussionist Ramesh Shotham in a live recording, now being re-released via Kolkata’s Free School Street Records
Free School Street Records founder Aveek Chatterjee (left) with saxophone great Braz Gonsalves and the reissued 'Explorations' LP. Photo: Courtesy of Chatterjee
Back in 1978, legendary jazz pianist Louis Banks, saxophonist Braz Gonsalves and vocalist Pam Crain led a live concert at Kalamandir in Kolkata, joined by jazz guitarist Carlton Kitto and percussionist Ramesh Shotham. It went on to become their live album Explorations, which is now getting a limited vinyl pressing via Kolkata’s Free School Street Records.
According to the label, the artists delivered a jazz-funk fusion set of original songs and jazz standards, including Banks’ “Funky Brothers,” “Interaction” and “Song For My Lady.” The band also took on renditions of “Gimme Music” by James Taylor, “Midnight At the Oasis” by David Nichtern and Wayne Shorter’s “Beauty And the Beast.” The live set was also “augmented by the use of Indian instruments,” according to a press release. The label Free School Street Records’ founder Aveek Chatterjee says in a press release, “The live concert was captured by HMV (Gramophone Company of India) through a makeshift studio set up at the green room and later released on vinyl LP in 1978. The original copies of the record are ultra-rare now and change hands at about 400-500 Euros in the collectors’ circle!”
Under “exclusive permission” from Universal Music India, Explorations has got a limited edition vinyl reissue of 250 copies, selling at ₹3,000 via Free School Street Records’ website. The package also includes a two-page insert with liner notes by the renowned journalist, Naresh Fernandes (author of the book on jazz in India, Taj Mahal Foxtrot) and rare photos. The label adds, “This is the first ever vinyl reissue of this rare 1978 album, pressed in Europe on audiophile grade virgin vinyl using a brand-new vinyl master from the source audio.”
Pre-orders for Explorations started from Nov. 1, 2024 and was launched on Nov. 10 at Zee’s Coffeeshop in Kolkata, followed by a vinyl listening session of the LP.
Get ‘Explorations’ LP by Louis Banks, Braz Gonsalves and Pam Crain here.
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