Part of the World Music Network Rough Guides series,[1] it focuses on the music of India and Pakistan, ranging from Hindi film songs to Hindustani classical music to Qawwali to folk.

The release was compiled by Phil Stanton, co-founder of the World Music Network.

[2] Artwork was designed by Impetus and Anthony Cassidy.

[3] Adam Greenberg of AllMusic gave the album three stars, recommending it to new listeners, while criticizing the truncating of the classical pieces.

[4] Michaelangelo Matos, writing for the Chicago Reader, described the release as "consistent" but "repetitious".