Sheila Chandra - Nada Brahma (1995)

Sheila Chandra's fourth Indipop album, released in 1985 in a limited edition before she took a five-year hiatus, sets the stage for the ethereal vocal style she explored during the 1990s. Comprised of five songs, Nada Brahma spotlights a younger Chandra exploring numerous vocal techniques. The 27-minute title track showcases her lush vocals in an intriguing (if loosely connected) series of vocal maneuvers–ethereal streams of sound, appealing Indian melodies, and staccato-syllable dances. This is beguiling, organic ambient music with occasional accompaniment by keyboards, percussion, or other instruments.

The other four tracks are more rhythmically grounded examples of Anglo-Indian fusion, including the gently hypnotic atmospheric pop of "The Awakening" and the energetic dance pulse of "Question the Answer," which features Chandra singing in English. While this early album may not have the flow or cohesiveness of later efforts like AboneCroneDrone, Nada Brahma spotlights a heavenly voice expanding its expressiveness and is recommended for fans of Chandra and of beautiful vocal music. –Bryan Reesman

Tracklist:

01. Nada Brahma (Sound Is God) (26:55)
02. The Awakening (5:39)
03. Question The Answer (4:57)
04. Raqs (4:57)
05. In Essence (5:30)