MUMBAI: It took more than 22 years for Tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain ‘s Moment Records to come to India, and he plans not to make any money from it.
Light hearted Hussain accompanied by his wife Antonia Minnecola looks after the creativity and production of Moment Records. Speaking with Radioandmusic.com, Hussain says, “Moment Records has music from great masters but we make sure that it is presented and projected well. That’s is why it took too long for the label to finally come in India”
‘Selects’, first CD from the label which is a 60 minute compilation of music by renowned musicians will be out next week. He adds, “Shivkumar Sharma is no ordinary musician which India has produced. It is really difficult to invent or bring in the music of instruments. Hariprasad Chaurasia has played his flute and his folk instrument has become famous in his life time. If you have musician of this caliber then you need to give them complete justice in their representation.”
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“I don’t want to make money out of this. I would like it to be played in its entirety as it was played by musicians at that point of time. They have agreed to put out original records, art work and booklets of their writing as they are,” he further adds.
The music label was founded in 1991 by Hussain. The catalogue includes Ravi Shankar’s Concert for Peace, along with The Best of Shakti (Zakir’s milestone band with guitar great John McLaughlin), Masters of Percussion, Zakir Hussain & The Rhythm Experience” and saxophonist/composer George Brooks’ critically acclaimed Lasting Impression and Night Spinner.
Speaking with Radioandmusic.com Hussain’s wife Minnecola says, “Suddenly one day Hussain planned to come out with a label and he wants me to produce it and I had to learn quickly. It was difficult but was gratifying to have this product.”
“She alone runs the whole record, I tour the world with my music. She works from inception to completion of each track. It is amazing what she does,” says Hussain proudly.
When asked about his Hazir 2 along with Hariharan, he says, “Hariharan send me the tracks which I have been listening and when I have my next breathing hour I will get into the studio and put some tracks down. It’s almost decided of what the music is going to be.”
Initially, there will be two releases. He adds, “We have 22 albums in our catalogue we can’t release all of them together as it is a gigantic undertaking. All of them will come out in two years and then we will have more work.”
Hussain’s label Moment Records has associated with Times Music. For the digital distribution of the albums, Times Music is also collaborating with A Train Entertainment.
