Prema writes personal account of her journey in music

Prema’s history (Pg. 5) – and began to lay these songs down, arranging and producing each one. I played the bass, guitars and keyboards, programmed the drums, sang and arranged all the backing vocals too. It was a mammoth task but thoroughly rewarding as I began to hear each song take shape; I had found my 'voice' and my sound.

After I had done the first stage of pre-production, I got in touch with Peter Erskine via MySpace (please read all about him and the other musicians in the News and Musicians pages on this site). He is my dream drummer, the one you fantasize about working with, you know? So, I could scarcely believe it when he agreed to play on the album. Even as I write this I re-live the very moment I received his email - I kid you not, I literally jumped for joy! My heart pounded at the realisation that I had finally become the person I wanted to be, because I knew that without that fundamental change in my spirit, this would not be happening. Working with and meeting Peter Erskine was a phenomenal experience; he is an outstanding musician and human being – cool through and through!

The second person I got in touch with was Amit Chatterjee. While Amit did not play on the album he was an important part of its early development. Amit who worked closely with legendary Joe Zawinul in the Joe Zawinul Syndicate was actually lined up to play on my album, but circumstances didn't allow it in the end. However, Amit was a real friend to me during this early stage and encouraged me to produce the album myself. He even visited me at my home in the UK (I cooked us a kickass prawn curry!) and we bonded and talked over lunch. He told me about Joe (one of my heroes) and gave me the support I needed to take on the production role for this album. I felt so blessed to have met Amit and knew that my dream of making this album was becoming a reality.

I then got in touch with Luis Perdomo and Damian Erskine, both through MySpace as well. I knew that I wanted to build a stellar band around me, because this music needed people with not just the skills, but a positive soul and the right energy which they all have in profusion. Both Luis and Damian bring such distinctive & delicious sounds to the music. Luis is a warm and brilliant man...a genius. Working with him was such a great experience. What he did on that Fender Rhodes is nothing short of perfection and every note that Luis played on the album is vital to its sound and vibe.

Damian is Peter Erskine's nephew and it was his first time recording with his legendary uncle, so it was pretty exciting for Damian as well as for me. Damian's playing is utterly beautiful. I am so happy that I found my way to Damian because his energy & sound are just what this music needs, from a technical level as well as a soul one. Damian’s bass work is a wonderful source of groove and melody in the album. He brings sensitivity and emotion to the bass alongside booty quaking chops; he is my dream bassist!