Monsoon (band)

Monsoon
Origin	England
Genres	Progressive rock, world fusion
Years active	1981–1983
Labels	Mobile Suit Corporation (Phonogram Records), Indipop Records, Mercury
Past members
Sheila Chandra Steve Coe Martin Smith
Notable instruments
Music sample
Monsoon - Ever So Lonely

Introduction

Monsoon was an early to mid 1980s UK progressive rock trio that consisted of singer Sheila Chandra, record producer Steve Coe, and bass guitarist Martin Smith. They are best remembered for their number 12 hit single in the UK Singles Chart in 1982, "Ever So Lonely".

Midge Ure, (Ultravox and Band Aid), directed the video for Monsoon' second single "Shakti" which went Top 40.

Monsoon's sound took Asian communities around the world by surprise - it was so contemporary and so unlike the “Disco in Hindi” albums, early Bhangra or James Bond influenced Hindi film blockbusters that were around. For Asian and Western audiences alike Monsoon's sound was a “evolutionary leap”.

Monsoon's third single, "Tomorrow Never Knows" (a cover of the Beatles ), featured guest appearances from Bill Nelson (Be-Bop Deluxe), Preston Heyman (Kate Bush), Dave Balfe (The Teardrop Explodes) and Merrick (Adam and the Ants).

Due to differences with their label, Phonogram, Monsoon dissolved in 1982. Sheila Chandra started a solo career, Steve Coe continued writing and producing her albums, as well as Martin Smith, but often under the name Ganges Orchestra.

Phonogram "posthumously" released Third Eye in 1983.

A compilation of Monsoon recordings including several previously unreleased tracks were released in 1995 on CD by Phonogram's partner label Mercury Records.

Discography

Album

• Third Eye (1983)

Singles

• "Ever So Lonely" (1982) - UK #12
• "Shakti (The Meaning of Within)" (1982) - UK #41
• "Tomorrow Never Knows" (1982)
• "Wings of the Dawn (Prem Kavita)" (1982)

See also

• Indian pop

External links

• Monsoon discography at Discogs
• SheilaChandra.com