Ancient Future combines the contemporary sounds of jazz and rock with the irresistible rhythms of African, Balinese, Indian, Middle Eastern and South American percussion, the rich harmonies of Europe, and the beautiful melodies of Asia. At its inception in 1978, the group described its exhilarating synthesis of musical ideas as "world fusion music." This phrase, coined by Ancient Future, is now used worldwide to describe the emerging genre its music has inspired. Matthew Montfort, who plays scalloped fretboard guitar, flamenco guitar, mandolin, charango, sitar, and gamelan leads the ensemble that includes Habib Khan on sitar, Doug McKeehan on keyboards, Imam on percussion, and Patti Weiss on violin.