Ravi Shankar, one of India's greatest performers and its leading musical ambassador, teams up with a mix of Indian and American jazz musicians on this interesting 1962 release. Known for his achievements in pure Indian classical music, Shankar is seen in a thrillingly different light on this early recording. Though Shankar had maintained interest in European and American art forms since roaming with his brother throughout France, sharing the stage with Western jazzmen was quite a departure for the sitar master. Ultimately, IMPROVISATIONS is a fusion of Eastern virtuosity and Western tonalities evinced by Shankar, flautist Shank and tabla drummer Kanai Dutta. The main piece heard here, entitled "Improvisations on the Theme Music From Pather Panchali" is based on the theme song from the eponymous movie; this theme is used as aspringboard for Shankar's improvisational wizardry.