These days when classical music in India has been ‘discovered’ by the West and continues to gain popularity, here’s a presentation of twelve world famous beautiful Latin numbers on the Sitar.  Through this ancient instrument of India, these favorites from the West have acquired a unique flavor, while the original Latin flavor has been maintained, in the presentation, a touch Eastern melody  emanates from the delicate strings of the Sitar lending it a mysterious and irresistible quality in these perennial favorites.

Sitarist Jayram Acharya takes you on a musical high with songs like Besame Mucho, Desafindo, Perfidia on Side A, and making you swing with other highlights like Amor Amor, Misirlou and La Paloma among many others. The musical arrangement is done by Enoch Daniels.

This album review is the perfect tribute to the late Jayram Acharya, an eminent and illustrious sitar player of Hindi film music industry, passed away on 5^th April 2017. Tamil Nadu born Jayram Acharya was one of the most sought-after sitar players in the world of Hindi film music.

A stalwart of the Bombay film orchestras Jayram Acharya played sitar in thousands of songs and background pieces.  He has to his credit some celebrated private albums besides this LP. He was also one of the founding members of the Cine Musicians' Association, Mumbai.

On the other hand we have a much loved and well-respected figure in the Bombay film industry, (aka Bollywood) for almost six decades, Enoch Daniels (fondly known as Danny) is known for his work as a film arranger/composer, and for his instrumental albums of rendition of film tunes on the piano – accordion. Enoch is the recipient of the first O.P. Nayar Foundation Award (2007), the Maharashtra State Cultural Award (2006) and the Sharad Krida Sanskrutik Pratishthan Award (2008). Enoch now resides in Pune.

This is a presentation of the sitar, with a difference. This is a presentation of Latin American favorites, with a difference. Surely this record if it’s in your collection, will become a special favorite of yours forever.

Record Label: Odeon

Released: 1968

Genre: Jazz, Folk, Country, Hindustani, Bossa Nova

Manufactured By – The Gramophone Company of India Ltd.

Rating: ****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira