Maestro

Composer and multi-instrumentalist Taj Mahal, a two-time GRAMMY winner and one of the most influential American blues and roots artists of the past half-century, has made no Faustian deals in his long and distinguished career, but he stands at an important crossroads nonetheless. In his never-ending exploration of the complex origins and underpinnings of American music, he has forged a four-decade career by gathering and distilling countless musical traditions from a range of geographical and cultural sources: the Mississippi Delta, the Appalachian backwoods, the African continent, the Hawaiian islands, Europe, the Caribbean and so much more. Taj Mahal doesn't just stand at the crossroads. He is the crossroads.

This twelve-track set - his first U.S. release in five years - marks the fortieth anniversary of Taj's rich and varied recording career by mixing original material with chestnuts from vintage sources and newcomers alike. Guests on this anniversary gala include Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, Angelique Kidjo, Los Lobos, Ziggy Marley and others - many of whom have been directly influenced by Taj's music and guidance.

Album Description
A two-time Grammy winner and one of the most influential American Blues and Roots artists of the past half-century is back with his first new record in five years. This twelve-track set marks the 40th anniversary of Taj Mahal's rich and varied recording career. But Maestro is more than just a tribute to past glories. With guest artists that include Ben Harper, Jack Johnson and Ziggy Marley, it captures the intensity and depth that has characterized every one of his recordings since his self-titled debut album in 1968.