Vikku Vinayakram

Ghatam Master

L. Shankar
New Release

Over the stars

With

Vikku Vinayakram
V. Selvaganesh
S. Swaminathan

Shankar’s pop DVD, “One In A Million”, became the number 1 DVD in the US spending 4 weeks on top of the U.S. Soundscan/Billboard charts. Shankar has also collaborated with Frank Zappa (who produced Shankar’s solo record for Zappa Records), Talking Heads, Pete Townsend, Lou Reed, Marianne Faithful, Sting, Jeff Beck, U2, The Pretenders, Echo & The Bunnymen, John Lydon (Public Image Ltd.), George Harrison, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Dave Stewart, Pete Townsend (The Who), Jonathan Davis (Korn), Robert Trujillo (Metallica), Stephen Perkins (Jane's Addiction) and many more. Shankar has worked on numerous soundtracks including the Grammy award winning and controversial “The Last Temptation of Christ” by the legendary film maker Martin Scorsese. He co-wrote many tracks with Peter Gabriel and his vocals were featured in the movie. In 2004 Shankar, composed and performed vocals on Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ”. His unmistakable haunting voice was heard all through the movie.

Additional special projects included invitations to perform at The Prince’s Trust Rock Gala 1988 in England, The United Nations Peace Day Festival, and Nelson Mandela's 80th Birthday celebration. The rock extravaganza, Human Rights Now World Tour in 1988, featured Shankar's own group, who were joined in performance by Bruce Springsteen and Peter Gabriel, in addition to several other musicians. Shankar collaborated with the gifted duo Wendy & Lisa (Prince) on their original score for the NBC smash hit TV series “Heroes”. He wrote all his vocal parts and was the featured lead vocalist on the theme and all episodes of “Heroes” and in the “Heroes-Reborn” TV series. His voice is featured on the recent hit TV show Fear the Walking Dead.

In 2020, Shankar released worldwide his critically acclaimed progressive rock album "Chepleeri Dream” by Cleopatra Records from Hollywood which features internationally renowned superstars such as Jonathan Davis (Korn), Scott Page (Pink Floyd), Stephen Perkins (Jane's Addiction), Norwood Fisher (Fishbone), Tony Levin (John Lennon, Peter Gabriel), Chester Thompson (Phil Collins, Genesis), Josh Lopez Will.I.Am, Black Eyed Peas), Zack Baird (Korn, Beyonce / Jay-Z).

Shankar is currently on a world tour with a supergroup featuring his longtime colleague TH Vikku Vinayakram (of the original Shakti group) and his son V. Selvaganesh (2024 Grammy winner), Fazal Qureshi (son of esteemed tabla player Ustad Alla Rakha) and Swaminathan Selvaganesh.

Album Details:

Over the stars

‘Over The Stars’ features two original members of the pioneering world music band Shakti: L. Shankar and Vikku Vinayakram, along with V. Selvaganesh (current member of Shakti) and his son S. Swaminathan.

The combination of Shankar and Vikku brings back the unmistakable original sound of Shakti with Shankar’s legendary, mesmerizing vocals and violin melodies dominating the auditory experience, while Vikku Vinayakram’s incredible command over the ghatam shines through the whole album. The album also highlights the explosive and pulsating percussion solos of Vikku Vinayakram, V. Selvaganesh and S. Swaminathan, showcasing their virtuosity.

It features the mega-hit song ‘Joy’ from Shakti’s debut album, as well as Shankar's innovative and complex pallavis, which he has popularized over decades through his critically acclaimed solo albums. His pallavis, which are classic innovations of his unique rhythmic cycles, have now been adopted by others.

This album promises a musical odyssey, showcasing the rich heritage of Indian music with a global touch. The performances bear testament to the sublime craftsmanship of these musical stalwarts, making it an incredible venture that elevates the listener to new heights - something not to be missed.

L. SHANKAR - Vocals, Double Violin, Keyboards
VIKKU VINAYAKRAM - Ghatam (Wiki) (T. H. Vinayakram)
V. SELVAGANESH - Kanjeera (Wiki) (Selvaganesh Vinayakram)
S. SWAMINATHAN - Kanjeera (Swaminathan Selvaganesh)

1. JOY (L. Shankar / John McLaughlin) 1:57
2. Kambodi Fantasy, Pt. I (L. Shankar) 15:22
3. Kambodi Fantasy, Pt. II (L. Shankar) 11:07
4. Light Through Darkness, Pt. I (L. Shankar) 14:54
5. Light Through Darkness, Pt. II (L. Shankar) 09:49

L. SHANKAR VOCALS, DOUBLE VIOLIN, KEYS RECORDED AT SRI MUSIC STUDIO, LOS ANGELES & INDIA
VIKKU VINAYAKRAM, V. SELVAGANESH, S. SWAMINATHAN RECORDED IN CHENNAI

ALL SONGS WRITTEN, ARRANGED, PERFORMED AND PRODUCED BY L. SHANKAR
ALL SONGS MIXED & MASTERED BY JEFF GROSS @ STUDIO 144, LOS ANGELES

ALBUM CO-PRODUCED BY V. SELVAGANESH
ALBUM COVER DESIGN BY SPHICO

SPECIAL THANKS TO:
X DOT 25 MUSIC, MAX AHMADI, FRANK ZAPPA, THE ORCHARD, SRI MUSIC, INC, BMI, V. LAKSHMINARAYANA, L. SEETHALAKSHMI, JEFF GROSS, 144 STUDIO, SRI MUSIC STUDIO LA - INDIA, SPHICO, GEOFFREY GALLEGOS, JOHN JORDAN, JORDAN ELECTRIC VIOLINS, IRA GAGON, PIRASTRO. MARY AKHLAGHPOUR (MBA TAX), ANGEL, BRIAN LUCEY, JULIETT ROSE, STEPHEN DAY. ALL MY FANS WHO HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF MY WORK NO MATTER WHAT I DO. YOU ROCK - I LOVE U.

L. SHANKAR MANAGEMENT
E - MAIL: theshenkar.management@gmail.com
PHONE: 1 818 415 0443

SRI MUSIC, INC., P.O.BOX 26384, LOS ANGELES CA 90026
E - MAIL:  the.shenkar@gmail.com   PHONE: 1 818 415 0443

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:   lshankar.com
OFFICIAL INSTAGRAM: theshenkar
OFFICIAL FACEBOOK: Shenkar

L. SHANKAR
JOY: Seethalakshmi Music Inc. (BMI)
KAMBODI FANTASY: SRI Music, Inc. (BMI)
LIGHT THROUGH DARKNESS: SRI Music, Inc. (BMI)

JOHN MCLAUGHLIN
JOY: Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. and Chinmoy Music, Inc. (BMI)