A Mystical Morning

Beyond the Ragasphere is a collaborative studio album by Indian slide guitarist Debashish Bhattacharya and British guitarist John McLaughlin. The album released on April 29, 2013, under the Riverboat Records label in CD format. The recording explores intersections of Hindustani classical music and jazz fusion, featuring improvisational exchanges between Bhattacharya’s modified guitars and McLaughlin’s electric guitar work.

The third track, A Mystical Morning, spans 16 minutes and 8 seconds. The composition integrates alankars (melodic patterns) from the Hindustani tradition with harmonic structures drawn from Western jazz. Bhattacharya employs his signature chaturangui (22-string slide guitar) and gandharvi (14-string acoustic slide guitar), while McLaughlin contributes layered electric guitar textures. The track progresses through a gradual raga-inspired alap into rhythmic interplay, culminating in a climactic jugalbandi (duet) section. The recording session location and additional personnel remain undocumented in available sources.

The album received distribution through World Music Network, Riverboat Records’ parent label, with physical copies circulated in Europe, North America, and India. No digital-exclusive bonus tracks or alternate editions accompanied the standard release. The liner notes include brief commentary by both artists on their collaborative process, though detailed sessionography or production credits are not publicly listed.

Beyond the Ragasphere marks the second documented studio collaboration between Bhattacharya and McLaughlin, following their 2008 live album Floating Point. The 2013 release extends their exploration of cross-genre improvisation, with A Mystical Morning serving as a central example of their fusion approach. No official music videos or single releases derived from the album exist in public records.