The title refers to the raga rock trend in popular music, as artists such as the Beatles, the Byrds, the Rolling Stones and the Yardbirds had all begun incorporating Indian influences into their recent work.

Led by the sitar playing of Rao, a longtime associate of Ravi Shankar, the album contains instrumental versions of several of these contemporary songs, including "Norwegian Wood", "Eight Miles High" and "Paint It Black".

[4][5] In 1966, with pop acts such as the Beatles, the Byrds and the Rolling Stones incorporating Indian musical influences into their work,[6] resulting in the rise of the raga rock phenomenon,[7] World Pacific decided to create a Folkswingers album dedicated to the new trend.

[12][13] The other contributors to Raga Rock were session musicians Tommy Tedesco, Howard Roberts, Larry Knechtel, Bill Pitman, Lyle Ritz and Hal Blaine,[2] who were all members of the Los Angeles Wrecking Crew.

[15] The songs recorded by the ensemble included the Beatles' "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" and the Byrds' "Eight Miles High" – each of which has been recognised as representing the start of raga rock[16] – and "Paint It Black",[17] which the Rolling Stones issued as a single in early May.

[6][nb 1] Among the other tracks were recent songs by the Yardbirds ("Shapes of Things"), Simon & Garfunkel ("Homeward Bound"), the Turtles ("Grim Reaper of Love") and Paul Revere & the Raiders ("Kicks").