[MUSIC] When I traveled to Southeast Asia I realized just how little I knew about popular music in the rest of the world. Yes, I’m talking about–gasp–outside the U.S. I discovered there are lots of amazing artists out there who never make it across the great pond. This week we have a chance to broaden our scope and experience the Indian-English fusion sounds of Sheila Chandra. Born in South London to Indian parents, her voice has been called haunting, ethereal, evocative and eclectic. After an Indie-pop song skyrocketed her to stardom in mid ‘80s, Chandra has turned her back on mainstream music and produced her own Middle Eastern, British, Irish, Indian combo style of world fusion, showing off what Billboard Magazine called “One of the most beautiful voices in the world” with often wordless chants and vocals. No, it isn’t roots reggae, acoustic island music or even a new rock group from the mainland; it’s something different from a land far, far away. It’s easy to forget that there’s a whole world full of music out there when you’re isolated on a tiny chain of South Pacific islands, so Maui is lucky that Chandra has decided to come here and share her unique sound. Tickets: $26 in advance at The Studio Maui, Haiku; Supernatural, Makawao; Mandala Ethnic Arts, Paia; www.hulatickets.com, 575-9390. [JESSICA ARMSTRONG]
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