Monsoon led by singer Sheila Chandra (best known for her role in the BBC’S UK TV show Grange Hill) along with record producer Steve Coe and bass guitarist Martin Smith was a brave and pioneering pop trio that blended traditional music from the Indian sub-continent with 80s British pop.

Additionally, they drew on the best musicians they could find from both East and West.

The band originated in 1980 when keyboard player and producer Steve Coe developed an interest in Indian music. Hoping to form a band to pursue this direction, he discovered Sheila via some demo tapes which she had recorded for Hansa Records when she was 14.

Sheila joined Monsoon in March 1981, three months before she left school. Monsoon’s first EP Ever So Lonely/Sunset Over The Ganges/Mirror of Your Mind/Shout till You’re Heard had been distributed by Rough Trade.

Their fresh Asian Fusion sound attracted the attention of label owner David Claridge, and Phonogram A&R man Dave Bates who signed the outfit to the Mobile Suit Corporation (Phonogram).

In December 1981, the band re-arranged and re-recorded ‘Ever So Lonely’ at Rockfield Studios with co-producer Hugh Jones, released by Mobile Suit Corporation (Phonogram) in 1982 and, though surrounded by synth-pop singles, and predating the term ‘World Music’ by a full five years, was a smash hit around the world, reaching No.12 in the UK singles chart.

Two further singles followed; ‘Shakti (The Meaning Of Within)’ and a cover of The Beatles’ ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’ along with the debut album ‘Third Eye’ but due to differences with their label, Phonogram, Monsoon dissolved later in 1982.

With the full involvement and co-operation of lead singer Sheila Chandra, Cherry Red are delighted to re-issue their [2CD] by the band that opened up the UK’s cultural consciousness to new possibilities – and changed it forever.

CD 1:
1. Wings Of The Dawn (Prem Kavita)
2. Tomorrow Never Knows
3. Third Eye And Tikka T.V.
4. Eyes
5. Shakti (The Meaning Of Within)
6. Ever So Lonely
7. You Can’t Take Me With You
8. And I You
9. Kashmir
10. Watchers Of The Night
11. Man Who Makes Time*
12. With Your Love*
13. Ever So Lonely (E.P. Version 1981)
14. Sunset Over The Ganges
15. Mirror Of Your Mind
16. Shout ‘Til You’re Heard
17. Ever So Lonely (Capital Radio Session March 1982)*
18. Sunset Over The Ganges (Capital Radio Session March 1982)*
19. Shakti (The Meaning Of Within) (Capital Radio Session March 1982)*
20. Shout ‘Til You’re Heard (Capital Radio Session March 1982)*

* Previously Unreleased

Ladies and Gentlemen ... this album is officially where Indipop began and is still one of the great experiments in East-West pop culture.

The heart of the group may well have been vocalist Sheila Chandra, but the underrated men-in-the-shadows Steve Coe and Martin Smith were simply sublime on whatever instrument came to hand for this album.

That said, other musicians contributed some rather colorful parts, including Paul James - who found fame and glory with the European folk-dance ensembles Blowzabella and Scarp - and whose musical essence is all over the album.

Best known for their singles, such as the uber catchy Ever So Lonely and rhythmically melodic Shakti, Monsoon was a signpost to new space and the launch pad of its three major players.

An important album, it had its flaws, sure, but it was the first in its field and for that I am still to this very day, spinning the vinyl album as if it were the early ’80s!

Thus, this 34-track, expanded deluxe 2CD version of Monsoon’s ground breaking Third Eye album, that also features the original 10-track album plus a comprehensive selection of bonus tracks including B-Sides, remixes, edits and instrumental versions, let alone six previously unreleased tracks - including the four songs that the band recorded for a Capital Radio Session in 1982 - is as complete a Third Eye experience as you will ever find, my friends.

CD 2:
1. Ever So Lonely (Ben Chapman 7” Remix 1990)
2. Ever So Lonely (Ben Chapman 12” Extended Remix 1990)
3. Ever So Lonely (Ben Chapman 7” Instrumental Remix 1990)
4. Ever So Lonely (Ben Chapman 12” Instrumental Remix 1990)
5. Wings Of The Dawn (Hindi Version)
6. Shakti (The Meaning Of Within) (12” Version)
7. Ever So Lonely (Dub Version)
8. Ever So Lonely (Hindi Version)
9. Indian Princess
10. And I You (Edit)
11. Wings Of The Dawn (7” Version)
12. Tomorrow Never Knows (7” Version)
13. Ever So Lonely (7” Version)
14. Ever So Lonely (Edit)

* Previously Unreleased

This beautiful 2CD digi-pak also comes with a fully illustrated 32-page CD booklet featuring a brand new Q&A with Sheila Chandra.

Official 2CD Purchase Link