Monsoon was a brave and pioneering attempt to blend traditional music from the Indian sub-continent with '80s British rock. Led by Sheila Chandra, best know for her role in the BBC production Grange Hill, Monsoon originated late in 1980 when keyboard player and producer Steve Coe developed an interest in Indian music through an Asian girlfriend. Hoping to form a band to pursue this direction, he discovered Sheila via some demo tapes which she had forwarded to Hansa Records when she was 14. She joined Monsoon in March 1981, three months before she left school. The Eastern music basis was reinforced by Dari Mankoo and his mastery of sitar and tabla. Rooting for the West was guitarist Martin Smith. The textured combination attracted the attention of would-be record mogul David Claridge, who signed the outfit to his Mobile Suit Corporation after a great many major labels had turned them down. Monsoon's first single, distributed through Rough Trade was 'Ever So Lonely/Sunset Over The Ganges'. Ignored upon original release, it was reissued as a 12 inch disco remix, with the extra tracks 'Shout' and 'Mirror Of Your Mind'. Second time round, 'Ever So Lonely' was heavily supported by John Peel on the BBC. Two subsequent singles 'Shakti' and a cover of The Beatles 'Tomorrow Never Knows', were issued in 7 and 12 inch formats. However, sales and attention were only moderate and the group called it a day at the end of 1982.