[Cover photo of Shakti live in 2023, photo credit to Jamie Soja]
In 2023, Shakti acknowledged their 50th anniversary by recording their first new studio album in more than 45 years, the Grammy award-winning This Moment, and embarking on a celebratory international tour.
Then, just over a year after the tour’s end, “a curtain came down on a monumental part of my life,” recalls guitarist, composer, and Shakti Co-Founder John McLaughlin.
He continues:
On December 15th, 2024, after 55 years of countless concerts, recordings, travels, meals, and laughter together, my Indian Brother Zakir, departed.
In recognition of Hussain’s contributions, Shakti’s remaining members have prepared one last offering: Mind Explosion: 50th Anniversary Tour Live, to be released by Abstract Logix on August 1, 2025.
Featuring the final Shakti lineup of McLaughlin (guitar, guitar synth), Hussain (tabla), vocalist Shankar Mahadevan, violinist Ganesh Rajagopalan, and percussionist Selvaganesh Vinayakram, Mind Explosion was recorded throughout the 2023 tour and includes explorations of material spanning the full length of Shakti’s existence.
Vocalist Mahadevan says:
I think every single musician in India would have loved to be part of Shakti. 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.
Mind Explosion: 50th Anniversary Tour Live:
- Kiki
- Giriraj Sudha
- Lotus Feet
- 5 in the Morning 6 in the Afternoon
- Sakhi
- Shrini’s Dream
