Anupam Shobhakar, acclaimed guitarist, composer, and sarodist, returns with Liquid Reality, a daring new album that pushes the boundaries of East–West fusion. Following his groundbreaking 2023 release Raga Jhinjhoti on Fretless Guitar—the first-ever recording of Indian classical music on fretless guitar—Shobhakar takes another bold step in redefining global music.
Rooted in
the revered Senia Maihar Gharana and trained under maestros such as Aashish
Khan, Shobhakar has long been celebrated for his ability to merge tradition
with innovation. From his early rock guitar beginnings in Bombay to his current
work in New York, his journey reflects a relentless pursuit of sonic
exploration. Central to Liquid Reality is his custom-built double-neck
guitar, uniquely designed to blend fretted and fretless approaches, seamlessly
weaving Indian classical expression with Western harmonics.
The album features an impressive roster of collaborators, including pianists Utsav Lal and Santiago Liebson, percussion greats Swami Selva Ganesh and Gumbi Ortiz, and vocalists Ona Kirei and Ben Parag. Standout tracks include “La Danse de Bonheur,” a stunning tribute to John McLaughlin and Shakti; “Anjaneya,” a fiery rock-fusion piece inspired by Hanuman; and “Formless,” a contemplative dialogue between guitar and kanjeera.
With Liquid
Reality, Shobhakar not only expands the vocabulary of the electric guitar
but also cements his place as a leading voice in contemporary fusion. For fans
of adventurous, boundary-crossing music, this is essential listening.
Anupam Shobhakar | Indian Classical Music | Double Neck Guitar
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