CD Review - Manisha Shahane: Peace in Progress
THE GROOVE – Voice of the Berklee Community
Issue No. 10; March 31, 2004
By Amy Miller, Staff Writer

Combine traditional Indian music, classical piano, jazz, piano rock, folk, and a beautiful crystal clear voice and you get the amazing sounds of Manisha Shahane. Her debut album Peace in Progress is an elaborate collage of these styles with expressive lyrics and harmonies that take you on a journey through her soul.

This album was primarily recorded in Boston, but Manisha grew up in southern Virginia, where she studied piano and the Western tradition of singing. She is heavily influenced by her mother, who sang at many events in the Indian community in her hometown. Though she studied economics, international relations, and business in college, Manisha never gave up on music; it is her belief that music is the world’s common language. She participated in rock bands, a cappella, and traditional Indian musical events.

The CD opens with a piece in Marathi, an Indian language, and each subsequent track takes an element from the previous track in a new direction. The melody lines are very complex, and sometimes difficult to remember; however, Manisha really brings out the emotion of her lyrics in both her angelic voice and the intricate harmonies which make you want to replay these tracks to return to the places she has taken you.

Her jazz background is depicted in many of her songs, particularly standing out in “What I Want to Know,” which flaunts soothing vocals and bouncing bass line. Her lyrics are tangible:

“I step outside myself again to return to the discussion at hand, yet neither of us speaks/Why don’t we speak?/During this moment of silence, his gaze is upon me/His movement is imperceptible as in Tai Chi/Where will this lead/Where will he lead me/”

In “Clumsy,” Manisha really lets loose, going in multiple directions. She changes time signatures and feels as her words and melody flow effortlessly. Another song that has interesting time in it is “Where the Ocean Greets the Sky.” Like in much of her music, Indian elements are woven together with folk and jazz ingredients. Her words paint a picture, and the music colors it in:

“Building a castle/one that’s made of sand/and it’s covered with colored seashells/Every seashell reminds me of the day I’ve waited for you to come and take my hand/The light of the waxing moon guides me to where saltwater mangoes taste of your skin.”

Peace In Progress is a truly unique album, and with so many styles incorporated, it is hard to avoid being intrigued. Manisha is currently on tour. Check out her website at www.manishamusic.com.