"The friendship with George (Harrison) started in 1966 and that's when I met him along with the other three, but George was something very special from the beginning. Something clicked between us and he was so interested in wanting to know about Indian music." -- Ravi Shankar

The unique and enduring relationship between George Harrison and Ravi Shankar gets full honors in "Collaborations," a four disc set (3 CDs, 1 DVD) that hits the streets Monday in the UK and Tuesday in the U.S. and Canada.

The set, released on Harrison's Dark Horse Records label, is packed in a green box with a picture of Harrison and Shankar on the outside. Inside are the three CDs: "Shankar Family and Friends" from 1974, "Music Festival From India" from 1976 and "Chants of India" from 1997, plus a DVD of the "Music Festival From India" performance. The discs are packed in replica vinyl sleeves. (See the slideshow for the images.)

"Music Festival from India" and "Shankar Family and Friends" have never been on CD and have been unavailable for over 30 years. "Chants of India" has also been out of print.

The DVD, which has not been released before, compiles the available complete film footage. The film is grainy and is augmented by pictures where available footage is missing. An admittedly nervous George Harrison is shown introducing the program. The concert has been mixed in 5.1 by Paul Hicks, who worked on the Beatles and John Lennon remasters. A separate section on the DVD also features the performance in audio.

The set also includes a hardbound book containing liner notes with the words of Harrison and Shankar, a foreward by Phillip Glass and some unreleased photos, including a tender moment where Shankar kisses George on the top of the head. The set is also numbered with a certificate of authenticity.  

Harrison's involvement in the performances goes beyond producing each one. Besides the introduction on the DVD, he also performs on "Chants of India," and additionally contributes to "Shankar Family and Friends" under the pseudonym Hari Georgeson. (Ringo Starr is also on the album under the name Billy Shears.)  

"Ravi Shankar is probably the person who has influenced my life the most. Later, I realized Indian music was like a stepping stone to a spiritual path. I always had a feeling for that and the music led me there." -- George Harrison.

Harrison's love of Indian music made him a true individual in the Beatles. "Collaborations" is a true demonstration of that love.