CD review: Manisha Shahane | "Peace in Progress"
World Rhythm Webzine
October 9th, 2006

Manisha Shahane’s CD, "Peace in Progress," is a real musical journey that draws you right in. It is music that demands you listen all the way or not at all. A heady mix of folk, jazz, classical and Indian traditions that reveals layer after layer after every listen. Manisha’s personal tales go on an introspective journey and she wears her heart on her sleeve. Most of the lyrics are her own, although "Collage #1” is based on a Marathi poem by Anant Bhave and she also performs her own version of the popular children’s song, “Nachre Mora”. Marathi is her parents’ native tongue, a language spoken in the Maharashtra state of India. In “Shyam Rao-chi Mulgee", one of Manisha’s originals, she shifts from English to Marathi effortlessly, creating quite an intriguing mood. "Love Sheets" uses her bed sheets as a memory portal to her childhood.

The music has a free, lively, feel to it. Manisha's jazzy piano is front and center and generally echoes her melodies. With the narrative stories, the music also takes many unusual turns - from daring time shifts, to dramatic key changes, through sudden bursts of tabla and scat-like Indian singing. Blake Newman (upright bass) and Jerry Leake (tabla & multi-percussion) are among the musicians featured on the album.

Currently residing in Los Angeles, Manisha performs these songs sometimes solo or with her band.

- By Cameron Blades -

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