Touch Me There

Touch Me There is a 12\" vinyl album released in 1979 under Zappa Records. The record features compositions and performances by Shankar, the stage name of Indian violinist and composer L. Shankar, known for his work in fusion and Carnatic classical music. The album explores a blend of Indian classical elements with Western instrumental arrangements, characteristic of Shankar’s collaborative projects during the late 1970s.

The track Touch Me There appears as the second composition on the B-side (designated B2) of the vinyl release. The piece runs for 3 minutes and 1 second. Instrumentation and stylistic details remain partially undocumented, but the track aligns with Shankar’s broader use of double violin techniques and improvisational structures rooted in both Hindustani and Carnatic traditions. The album’s production involved contributions from figures associated with Frank Zappa’s circle, though specific session credits for this track are not widely verified.

The 1979 release marked one of several projects where Shankar integrated Indian classical motifs into contemporary fusion formats. Zappa Records, founded by Frank Zappa, served as the label for the album, reflecting the era’s cross-genre experimentation. Physical copies of the vinyl include original artwork, though no digital reissues or expanded editions have been officially confirmed as of the latest available records. The track’s reception and chart performance, if any, remain unrecorded in major music archives.

Shankar’s work on Touch Me There preceded his later collaborations with artists such as Peter Gabriel and Philip Glass, solidifying his role in global fusion music. The album itself is often categorized within the progressive world-fusion subgenre, distinguished by its use of non-Western scales and rhythmic patterns. Further details on recording locations, additional musicians, or alternate takes are not publicly accessible.