About Master Pieces
Master Pieces is a studio album by Indian classical vocalist Ustad Abdul Latif Khan. Released in 2002 under the Times Music label, the album presents two extended renditions of classical ragas in the khayal tradition of Hindustani music. The recording format is a commercial CD, and the release constitutes an official publication within Khan’s discography.
The album features two primary tracks. Raga Miyan Ki Malhar opens the collection, showcasing Khan’s interpretation of the monsoon-associated raga known for its evocative meend (glissando) and gamak (ornamentation) techniques. The second track, Raga Lalit, represents a morning raga characterized by its use of komal re (flattened second) and teevra ma (sharp fourth), rendered in a slow, meditative vilambit tempo followed by a faster drut section. Both compositions adhere to the structural conventions of khayal gayaki, with elaborate alaap, jod, and jhala segments preceding the rhythmic bandish.
The release date aligns with the album’s production year, with no documented live performance or reissue events associated with this recording. Accompaniment details remain unconfirmed in available sources, though traditional tabla and tanpura support is standard for Khan’s recordings of this period. The album’s title, Master Pieces, reflects its focus on Khan’s virtuosity in rendering complex ragas, though no additional thematic or conceptual framing is provided in the original release materials.
Times Music, the distributing label, specialized in Indian classical and devotional music during the early 2000s, positioning this album within its catalog of traditional vocal recordings. The total runtime and specific recording locations are not publicly documented. The album’s reception and commercial performance data are likewise unreported in accessible archives.