Shafqat Amanat says it's just a matter of time before we're technically at par with India

"Technical facilities aren't the same but we're moving ahead rapidly and it's just a matter of time before we'll be at par with India," said Shafqat Amanat Ali at the music launch of Mehreen Jabbar's Ramchand Pakistani in Karachi. Shafqat has lent his vocals to the background score of the film and a video film of one of his songs - Phir Wohi Raastey - was played to the delight of the audience. Shafqat's vocals, combined with Anwer Maqsood's thoughtful lyrics and the extremely poignant music composed by India's Debyagoti Mishra (music director for Raincoat and Choker Bali), were indeed haunting enough to send a shiver down the spine.

"I felt the same way when I heard it first," Shafqat shared with Instep Today exclusively. "When I told my friends in India that we were working on a film called Ramchand Pakistani, they just couldn't believe that a Pakistani film could be this sensitive."

We guess they will be proved wrong as this film will be a cut above the flicks being churned out of commercial cinema. Back to the music score, it also includes the strong vocals of Shubha Mugdal, who unarguably adds to the depth and quality of the soundtrack.

Shafqat added that Pakistani music's strength was its pop music industry but that would change once films started gaining ground.

"Our pop music has flourished in the absence of films," he said. "And that's a good thing because it has continuously generated exceptional talent. But that will change once films take off because movie music reaches out to another level of listeners. The market is huge, in comparison with pop music."

Source : http://thenews.jang.com.pk/instep_today.asp

"My new album will be refreshingly different." Says Faakhir

It's been three years since his

last album Mantra released,

but recently in Karachi for

the LSA press launch,

Faakhir promises he will

be back with his next

this September

Anum Opel

Karachi

Faakhir, popular for his soft melodious vocals, is aiming for a comeback into mainstream music this September, as he prepares to launch his next album. It's been three years since Mantra was declared hugely successful, but since then the artiste has restricted his appearances to concerts and tours outside of Pakistan. Instep Today caught up with him in Karachi, where he disclosed that the forth coming album would be "extremely diverse" and would perhaps help him break out of the mushy-love-song mold that he is popular for.

Instep Today: Your fans have been looking forward to your new album. When is it due to be released?

Faakhir: My upcoming album is in its creative process and its taking time because I'm not compromising on the quality of it. The beauty of music is to take time with it, it is an art. One should never work, keeping a 'goal' in mind. Goals never work out and I wanted to take time with this. But I can promise that the album will be in your hands by Eid.

Instep Today: Other pop bands – Strings, Roxen, Atif Aslam – are doing so well in Pakistan and India these days and the scene has changed in the past three years. Where do you think you stand today?

Faakhir: There is no doubt that these boys are good at what they do, but it shouldn't be forgotten that there is a demand for everything in the market. One has got to have a music market that offers all kinds of music genres.

Instep Today: What is your genre and how is it different from what other bands are creating?

Faakhir: My latest creation is easy going, smooth and swift. It's hard core entertainment; one can indulge himself in the album as it focuses on the experiences we all go through in life. There are no lectures involved, mind you, just pure entertainment.

Instep Today: How would you compare your new album with your previous work.

Faakhir: What I have produced is the exact opposite of what I have done in the past. It's as important to mix and master music as it is to build concepts. This time around my work will be an entity on its own. It will be refreshing and different.

Instep Today: How will it be different?

Faakhir: My new album focuses on intricate sensitive relationships and circumstances and situations attached to them. Anything and everything life has to offer is what this album is about, from love to forgiveness, accepting changes, moving on, romance and all the bitter sweet experiences we all go through.

Instep Today: The concept sounds a lot like what you have been doing. So how do you say this album is different?

Faakhir: This time around, I have experimented with new words and phrases which I thought I would never use! They might have sounded odd in the past, but I'm willing to bring it out in the open as they don't seem all that odd anymore!

Instep Today: Are you planning the videos for your album as well? Mahi Ve, was an award winning video; do you think the new ones will be anything like that?

Faakhir: I have a few ideas but haven't really thought over the videos all that much. Plus, video execution is not up my alley. It's all in the hands of the art and creative directors just as long as they suit the song. The visuals should be what the audio represents. I departed from the 'Mahi Ve' style ages ago and the new videos will certainly be created according to the songs.

Instep Today: Do you think your image needs a makeover as well, since everyone is so image conscious these days?

Faakhir: I laugh at those who say I need an image makeover. Let me make one thing very clear - I don't wear make-up or lipstick for that matter. The slightest bit of puff or powder makes me look overdone, can't help it, that's the way I look. I wear smart casuals and do not believe in running to a designer to make myself feel or look like a star. I think those who are too made up are idiots and no, my image needs no makeover whatsoever.

Instep Today: You have been involved with soundtracks as well. What is the next step here?

Faakhir: Soundtracks, for now, are in the last page of my book. Currently, the criterion is to focus on my new album.

Instep Today: Tell us about your recent tours.

Faakhir: I've had a number of concerts in the States, India and two in Dubai. To me, the audience is the same all around the globe. The Indian market is much more familiar to the Pakistani crowd, but overall, I could relate to all and sundry.

Source : http://thenews.jang.com.pk/instep_today.asp

Album Cover: Shehzad Roy Kismet Apnay Haath Main

Shehzad Roy Is Coming Very Soon With His New Album Which Is Named "Kismet Apnay Haath Main".

so keep visiting us for more information

Instep Profile : Deconstructing Atif Aslam

In a span of just four years, Atif Aslam has released three albums, won countless awards and has developed a massive following in and outside Pakistan. Its not exactly rags to riches and yet his success story remains unique. In this interview with Instep, Atif Aslam reveals all…

By Maheen Sabeeh

A star is born "I always dreamed of being a rock star as a kid," says Atif smiling. At the age of just 25, Atif Aslam is living his dream. With three albums to his credit, in a span of four years, the mess of a break-up (with his former band Jal) behind him and a mass appeal that extends all the way out to India and beyond, Atif Aslam's story is truly unique. He is sitting on a sofa in denims, a polo top and his guitar on his lap when we meet. It's a crisp Sunday afternoon and Atif has a hectic schedule ahead. He is flying back to Lahore and is then heading for a massive US, UK and Canada tour. We meet the morning after the Atif Aslam Lookalike-Singalike contest, where five men, who adore Atif, belt out Atif ditties, imitating his antics, attempting to impersonate the man himself. Atif came to the finale and picked the winner himself. "It was a little bizarre," admits Atif and continues, "but a good effort. Some of those guys were confident, others had a decent voice but Gibran matched my style more than the others so it had to be him." As a person, Atif is friendly, open and confident. What drives him is his ambition to bowl out the world. He doesn't look at Asians as his target market. The world is his stage and he is here to perform and entertain. What sets him apart is his ability to mould himself, that elastic factor. Whether it is through lending his vocals to Indian films or dancing with Aaminah Haq at the Lux Style Awards or going out all-rock on a single like 'Hungami Halaat', Atif is willing to bend and break norms to make his mark. His latest is his new album, Meri Kahani. A sharp, conscious turn from his commercially hit album Doorie, and a return to form, the kind one first witnessed on his debut record Jalpari. Meri Kahani sees Atif don the roles of singer, songwriter and lyricist. But most importantly it sees the various emotions of the man that is Atif Aslam. Not surprisingly, it is a mixed bag. And even though Jalpari remains the best Atif Aslam record, Meri Kahani shows off his skills as an artist and his will to experiment. To make sure that it is his brand of music, Atif brought in Overload men Farhad Humayoun, Shiraz Siddique and Mahmood Rahman to play on the album.
"I did Doorie but afterwards I wanted to do my kind of music. Meri Kahani is just that. It is an album that is filled with personal reflections. I got Overload guys involved because I love their music, especially the Pappu Saeen bit and it was fantastic working with all of them," says Atif. The record comes after Atif received severe criticism for Doorie, the smash hit album that consolidated his position firmly in India and Pakistan. At the same time, it brought out criticism on the fact that the album was purely commercial and Indianised. But Atif has never shied away from criticism. His defense has always been one, breaking into the Bollywood-friendly Indian market. "A commercial album has the power to hit the masses. To me making commercial music is a bigger challenge than anything else. If I'm singing songs that I don't really believe in and are not challenging me as a musician and they become a hit, that to me is an achievement," explains Atif. Today Atif Aslam is more restrained and self-assured than he has ever been before. But this self-assurance has taken its time. Atif may have become a huge star but his beginning was shaky and rather controversial. There was the Jal-Atif controversy which aroused questions about his debut album and the well-known debacle of writing credits.
"That wasn't the only thing. When I began, I wasn't accepted. Back when I was starting out, Noori was huge. I went to Ali Noor and made him hear 'Aadat' and he thought it was crap. I was very discouraged. Gumby then said to me that the song's good. I would go to channels and they would be in a blackmailing mode. If one channel was airing a video, another wouldn't," says Atif of his struggling days. Atif Aslam has had no backing in the industry and neither did he have parents who were dishing out finance to record his album. Coming from a middle-class background, Atif found his groove playing at colleges. 'Aadat' first made buzz through the Internet. 'The video released and a star was born. But no one could've predicted where this star would go.
Jal broke up and Atif went solo. Jalpari was released and soon, Atif rolled with the punches. He was destined for bigger things. Soon India came calling. And from thereon, there has been no looking back for this star. Last year Atif picked up Best Music Album for Doorie at the Lux Style Awards. Among other countless awards that he has to his credit includes the prestigious Tamgha-e-Imtiaz award from the government of Pakistan for portraying a positive image of Pakistan abroad. Pros and cons Criticism and stardom, it seems, go hand in hand. Where Atif was singing to packed houses, in and outside Pakistan, there has also been some criticism. And that has been changing to fit the Bollywood mould. Atif has sung for a variety of films like Kalyug, Zeher, Bas Ek Pal and Race but most of the films have been average projects (barring Race) and Atif has been criticized for letting his own compositions go under the knife of Indian music directors. "There have been times when I have sung tunes that I'm not too crazy about. Sometimes directors listen to me and sometimes they simply say no to my ideas. Like Race for instance. I never wanted to sing, 'Meri Bahon Mein Aa.. .'. I wanted those words to be changed but I was told no. So I tried to sing it a little differently. The reason I go for Bollywood projects is simply because they help in capturing a wider audience," justifies Atif. While pure pop and rock loyalists have frowned upon Doorie, that album increased Atif's star power to a whole new level. It was Indian actress Bipasha Basu who vouched for Atif when the star-studded Race was being made. The high profile film is one of the biggest grosser of this year, in and outside India and featured huge stars like Saif Ali Khan, Anil Kapoor, Bipasha Basu, Katrina Kaif, Akshaye Khanna and Sameera Reddy. Atif's single on the Race soundtrack, 'Pehli Nazar' has been a massive hit. A little while later it turned out that the tune was a rip-off of a Korean tune. "I never knew that. I hope that such things don't happen again," admits Atif. But despite the plagiarism bit, 'Pehli Nazar' remains one of the biggest hits of 2008, right here and in India as well. The local scene Right here at home, Atif Aslam remains an unmatchable singer. His vocals have been off-key many a times, but he has improved as a singer and a live act tremendously. The experience of world tours has armed him with the know-how of dealing with different kinds of crowds. And he maintains an image that stands out. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Atif avoids stylists and lets his brother Shabaz Aslam manage his wardrobe as well as career. This team-up has also had its fair share of criticism. "As far as my image goes, I think Shabaz has done a great job. They were some mistakes. He has made some blunders but now he knows exactly what I want, what looks good so I'm pretty happy with that," Atif says of his equation with his brother. On the management front, Shabaz Aslam suffers from a strange reputation. Industry insiders maintain that he is harming Atif's career. But Atif brushes these stories aside. "He has straightened out a lot of people. Shahbaz has created a market for Atif. Making sure that I perform at Royal Albert hall in UK at such an early stage of my career, shows in Norway and Belgium, that isn't an easy task. He plays a bad guy but it doesn't mean he is. We always take money in advance. I don't play for free. And I don't do favours. Why should I charge any less? This is my money and Shabaz has made sure that these rules get implemented and I'm not taken for a ride," Atif sets the record straight. This attitude comes after seeing first hand an industry that is still struggling despite growing in talent for more than a decade. The local music industry still lacks a proper structure. In the last few years, as musicians have gained experience of playing abroad and have understood the importance of doing decent live shows, live concerts here have become scarce. Barring acts like Atif Aslam and Ali Azmat, both of whom do countless shows, more and more musicians are shying away from doing shows here. The reason: lack of proper sound management, engineers, lighting and investment by promoters. "I still try to do shows in Pakistan and not just the three main cities - Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad but others as well. Recently I have performed at Multan, Sialkot, Faisalabad and Sargodha. Nowadays schools and colleges are also facing threats so they aren't doing many live concerts. The change we need is decent sound engineers, lighting. If a show is sounding great on the ground, it shows sound great on television as well. But it us who have to push for that change. I really think it's a lame excuse to use for not doing shows. Look at India, they have made films like Raja Hindustani but make a film like Black today," says Atif emphatically. His frequent visits to India have given him the knowledge to differentiate between the two industries. While they lack a pop industry, they have the infrastructure that has taken its time to develop. Atif maintains that to overcome these issues, the industry has to unite as a single force. On a farewell note "I see myself as a spiritual person," says Atif. He doesn't exactly come across as a spiritual person, in all honesty, but it is his personal belief that is truly surprising. "In this industry I don't find time for myself and my god. The industry is bad, the people part and the business part. It is seductive and completely attractive but I fight that part. I don't fear losing the success and the money that comes with being a star. What I do fear is losing my originality," Atif reveals in a moment of vulnerability. Rumour mills about Atif have been forever going on. His rise to super stardom has resulted in rivalries that go beyond professionalism. "I know people who are threatened by me. I know who they are and I have heard and seen them bitch me out. But it doesn't frighten me. It makes me happy because it is a telling sign of my own significance within this industry," explains Atif. Some might even take this attitude as smugness but to Atif, it is his way of survival. Pop stardom can be fickle and Atif understands it well. It remains unclear what Atif will do next but with his passion and thrust to continue conquering hearts and minds, it is clear that for Atif, the journey has just begun.

Source: http://jang.com.pk/thenews/jun2008-weekly/nos-29-06-2008/instep/mainissue.htm

Download Yasir Jawed Debut Album Ibteda

About The Album:
The Album

IBTIDA is a tasteful mélange of the Classical and the contemporary. It is a fresh chapter in Pakistan’s rich musical heritage and is the result of two valuable and worthwhile years of sweat and toil. The album is a thumping amalgamation of mainstream rock and conventional classical melodies.

‘Ibtida’ is a collection of mellow, traditional ballads written by some of the best poets of our times. The most extraordinary feature of this album is its multi-genre amalgamation of rock, classical ragas and instruments from both worlds that do not add up in the real world. However, the album has taken poetry and music on a unique voyage that should keep audiences humming for years to come.

With ‘Ibtida’ Yasir has created a unique niche for himself in the neo-classical, raga-based genre. The intense and sometimes dreamlike ballads take you on an odyssey to the perfect dream with the perfect person in all the perfect situations.

The album is a valiant attempt to revive the dying art of classical music while bringing this abandoned tradition into mainstream fan-based music arena.

“I leave it to my treasured audience to enjoy the music presented in Ibtida. Your comments and suggestions are warmly anticipated and will pave the way for remodeling Pakistan’s musical heritage.”

Download Ibtida The Album From Here
(videos are also available to download there)

Watch Judai (Jannat) feat Kamran Ahmed - 82Rocker

Watch Out The Video Of Song "Lambi Judai" Of The Bollywood Hit Movie Jannat Featuring Kamran Ahmed a.k.a 82 Rocker.Imran Hashmi And Sonam Kapoor Are Playing The Roles In This Film.

Download Coke Studio Episode 2 - Strings & Ustaad Gullu Videos

Experience the second episode of Coke Studio with Strings, Ustaad Hussain Bakhsh Gullo and Saba & Selina.

Artists: Strings, Ustaad Hussain Bakhsh Gullo and Saba & Selina
Drums: Gumby, Qaiser Zainul Abedin (Strings)
Lead Guitar: Omran Shafique, Adil Ali (Strings)
Bass Guitar: Mannu, Shakir Qayyum (Strings)
DJ, Keyboard: Zeeshan Parwez, Haider Ali (Strings)
Backing Vocals: Saba and Selina
Percussionist: Shezi
Dholak: Babar Khanna
Balochi Percussions: The Abdul Latif Band
Producer: Rohail Hyatt

Part 1: Strings - Sarkiye



Download Audio
Download Video

Part 2: Ustaad H.B. Gullu - Jam Session


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Download Video

Part 3: Saba and Selina - I'm in Love


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Part 4: Strings - Anjaane


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Part 5: Strings - Zinda


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Part 6: Strings and Ustaad Gullu - Duur




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CityFM89 Reviews AJ's New Album Laut Aao

i just found the album review of Laut Aao done by CityFM89. Check out what they are saying about the album and decide yourself its true or a lame.

Ahmed Jehanzeb: Laut Aao 4/5
Music Reviews
1 / Jul / 2008
Unlike most of the other classical fusion singers, Ahmed Jehanzeb has a knack of writing extremely catchy melodies and coming up with some very fresh ways to arrange them. What I like most about Ahmed’s work is the thought that goes into every song, there are layers of backing vocals and instruments that give his songs a lush orchestral wash without losing any of the pop sensibility. The opening track “Chandni Raatein” will have you singing the chorus long after its over, it’s a fun cheerful number and sung with a lot of character. “Main Aur Tu” has classical raag singing layered over a kicking beat that goes into a soaring orchestral chorus.

While “Bol Mahiya Ve” is a little uninspired because of its forced desi-ness, songs like “Laut Aao” have a funky groove that is soothing and sexy. I don’t approve of having too many remixes in the album, but thankfully this one has only 3 and interestingly enough, one is a “blues mix’ of “Tere Bina Jeena” which at the very least was something different.
This is a great album in every sense of the word. It has exquisite production that really brings out wonderfully crafted melodies of Jehanzebs songs. Jehanzeb progresses with every piece of work he puts out and this album should be regarded as one of the best releases of the year.

Source : http://www.cityfm89.com/website/print.aspx?pid=393

Download Ahmed Jehanzeb New Album Laut Aao [mp3 format]

Finally Ahmed Jehanzeb's New Album Is Out!!
The Album Is Launched By Indian Renowned Music Company Tips (Boondh by Jal & Atif's Meri Kahani Is Also Set To Release By Tips) so its definitely an indian version containing 12 tracks including last three tracks as Remixes [as usual] . The Album Laut Aao Is Very Much Different From The Ahmed's Debut Album Parastish . We Can Only Say That For Getting New Markets An Artist Has To Experiment ..Thats What Ahmed Doing. So Best Of Luck To Him.

You Guys Enjoy Downloading The Album [ do buy it !! if u like it ]

Ahmed Jehanzeb - Laut Aao [2008] Download Links:


01 - Chandni Raat Main [allpakmusic.blogspot.com].mp3
02 - Main Aur Tu [allpakmusic.blogspot.com].mp3
03 - Bol Mahiya Ve [allpakmusic.blogspot.com].mp3
04 - Lagan Lagi [allpakmusic.blogspot.com].mp3
05 - Laut Aao [allpakmusic.blogspot.com].mp3
06 - Tere Bina Jeena [allpakmusic.blogspot.com].mp3
07 - Dekha Mainne Nahin [allpakmusic.blogspot.com].mp3
08 - Jis Ko Bhi Lageya [allpakmusic.blogspot.com].mp3
09 - Jab Tumhari Yaad [allpakmusic.blogspot.com].mp3
10 - Chandni Raat Main (Remix) [allpakmusic.blogspot.com].mp3
11 - Tere Bina Jeena (The Blues Mix) [allpakmusic.blogspot.com].mp3
12 - Main Aur Tu (Dance Mix) [allpakmusic.blogspot.com].mp3

Mekaal Hassan New Animated Video Waris Shah

Meekal Hassan's New Animated Video Of "Waris Ali" From His Album Sampooran Has Now Released And Available To Download.The Video Is Once Again Directed By Zeeshan Perwez.

Video Director Zeeshan Parwez's notes:

"This video was a journey of 6 months for me and my team, I hope y'all like the video as much as we liked making approx 3000 drawings for this. Once again, shouts out to the people at the end of the credits and to Mekaal for being patient."

*Video Removed Upon Request , Will Be Available Right After The Official Release.

Downlaod Bakhuda Tum Hi Ho By Atif Aslam [High Quality Mp3]

We Have Just Got An Xclusive Release For You Guys . Atif Aslam's New Song Bakhuda Tum Hi Ho For Bollywood Movie Kismet Konnection Is Now Available To Download.

Atif Aslam - Bakhuda Tum Hi Ho Feat Alka Yagnik Original

Atif Aslam - Bakhuda Tum Hi Ho Remix

do post ur comments about the song below.

Watch Atif Aslam New Video Ba Khuda Tum Hi Ho For Kismet Konnection

Watch Atif Aslam's Brand New Song For Another Bollywood Movie "Kismet Konnection" . The Song Is Picturised On Shahid Kapoor And Vidya Balan.

Check Out The Trailer Of The Song:


download this video

Strings New Video Humsafar Directed By Jami

Strings New Vdo

Lyrics: Anwar Maqsood
Models: Akhmad Anatoli and Jane
Director: Jami
D.O.P.: Zain Haleem
Producer: Ahsan Qureshi
Editor: Sarfaraz Khan

Music Video For Humsafar Will be Airing On The GEO Network Starting Midnight, June 21, 2008!



Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5pOGlwfHyA


Posted By : Aik Designs

Atif Aslam To Be Honoured With BBC Excellence Music Award

Singer Atif Aslam is going to London for BBC Excellence Music Award next month. Reportedly Atif has received an exclusive invitation for the event. He will not only perform at the event but will also be honoured with BBC Excellence Music Award. It is pertinent to mention that Pakistani singers including Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Hadiqa Kiyani, Tina Sani, Junoon group have too secured BBC Awards in the past.

Watch And Download Ahmed Jehanzeb's New Video Chandni Ratein

After a Long Break Pakistan's Leading Singer Ahmed Jehanzeb Is Back With His New Video - Chandni Raatein - From His Upcoming Album "Laut Aao" . The Video Is Directed By India's Ace Video Director Mr. Kookie Gulaty And Is The Biggest CGI ( Computer Generated Imaging) Video to be ever made in Pakistan and India. Check Out The Video And Post Your Comments About The Video Below

Download Chandni Raatein Video
or watch video

Pakistani Female Pop Star With Her Boyfriend

Check Out The Xclusive Photos Of Pakistan's Female Pop Star Annie Along With her Boy Friend. Her BF Only Seems Like John Abraham *lol* Check Out The First Pic.

Click The Pics To Enlarge.

Xclusive Release:Download Roxen's Yaadein Revamped

We Have an Xclusive release for you guys..the band "Roxen" has revamped its debut song "Yaadein" ..now this time its far more improved and deep ... u are definitely gonna love the song(i m 110% sure) its an xclusive release by ALLPAKMUSIC ... no one has got this track yet and u wont find this track on any other web.

We are ready to give u some other xclusive releases just give us ur support by:

• Visiting & Bookmarking Our Site (Ctrl+D)
  
• Spreading Our Words &
• Clicking Our Sponsors.

So here is your download link -> Roxen - Yaadein Revamped

Enjoyyy......and dont forget to give ur comments :)

Watch & Download Music Videos

Shehzad Roy - Laga Reh






Zeb & Haniya - Aitebaar





Aaroh - Janay Kyun

Download Coke Studio Episode 1- Ali Azmat With Rahat Fateh Ali Khan

Artists: Ali Azmat, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Mauj
Drums: Gumby
Lead Guitar: Omran Shafique
Bass Guitar: Mannu
DJ, Keyboard: Zeeshan Parwez
Backing Vocals: Saba and Selina
Percussionist: Shezi
Dholak: Babar Khanna
Balochi Percussions: The Abdul Latif Band
Producer: Rohail Hyatt


Rahat Fateh Ali Khan - Shaman Paiyan



Download Audio Here .

Download Video Here .



Ali Azmat - Deewana



Download Audio Here .

Download Video Here .



Mauj - Paheliyan



Download Audio Here .

Download Video Here .



Ali Azmat & Rahat Fateh Ali Khan - Garaj Baras



Download Audio Here .

Download Video Here .



Ali Azmat & Rahat Fateh Ali Khan - Balaman



Download Audio Here .

Download Video Here .




Ali Azmat - Gallan



Download Audio Here .

Download Video Here .



For Pictures & Wallpapers of Coke Studio Episode 1, click Here .

Instep:Band Azal - Hotsteppers of the week

It is clear that Azal are doing super well. And that really doesn’t come as a surprise. After all, ‘Aisi Taisi’ has already become one of Pakistan’s enduring rock anthems. It’s right up there with Jazba Junoon! Azal, which means ‘beginning’, comprises of Ehtesham Khan aka ET and Shabbir Khan aka Shabbi, both of whom work behind the scene in media, lead singer Rajab Ali Khan who is Ustad Zafar Ali Khan’s son and a classically trained singer and finally Sameer Ahmed, one of the most well-known bass players in Pakistan who has worked with the likes of Karavan, Junoon and many others.

Azal’s brand of music is also as diverse as the people in the band. While the sound is edgy and rocky, the melodies remain the band’s main backbone. They shot to fame with their debut single, ‘Aisi Tasi’ that took a punch at the system and society with an attitude to boot.

It worked like a charm and the song caught attention instantly. With their first album out, Azal has also released another new video, ‘Hum Tum’ and it is a 360 degree turn from ‘Aisi Taisi’. Melodic, soft and bluesy to the core even as Rajab sonorous voice raags on, the song proves that Azal are certainly not just another one-hit wonder. Their album is doing extremely well since its release and is in fact standing on its own in front of mighty names like Strings and according to Laraib is outselling Najam Sheraz. For their courage, determination, gutsy rocking, the song that was ‘Aisi Taisi’ and the magic they have woven on Road to Infinity, Azal are Instep’s hotsteppers of the week. Need we say more? Check their album out now!

To buy their album, click Here .

Announcing Coke Studio

When Coke Studio goes on air, you will be mesmerized by it. But don't forget to thank your lucky stars that you weren't there at the launch!

The Coke Studio promos running on television channels are preparing us for the most ambitious musical project to be taken on in Pakistan. A bit of what Coke Studio is has seen its way into print already, but for the serious music aficionado, nothing will compare to seeing this phenomenon on television, or better yet, holding the Coke Studio Sessions CD in their hands. This brainchild of Rohail Hyatt uses the musical talents of people as diverse our pop artistes like Strings and Ali Zafar, rock stars like Ali Azmat and alternative acts like Sajid and Zeeshan, rock stalwarts like Gumby on drums, Omran Shafique on lead guitars and Mannu on bass and throws them together with maestros like Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Ustad Hussain Bakhsh Gullo and Tufail Shaikh. And these sessions were recorded live with back up from Baloch lewa musicians, Abdul Lateef and company. It's the first time I think in Pakistan that someone has managed to bring these influences together on such a mammoth scale. Rohail Hyatt had the vision to do it and Coke had the muscle to back him. And in doing so, one can see the makings of an event that has a similar kind of hold over the public imagination that the Lux Style Awards have come to exercise ever since they were conceived at the turn of the millennium.

The brilliance of the Coke Studio concept is similar to the brilliance of the Lux Style Awards. It is about a corporation using its muscle to give to the industry a strong platform that while helping with brand building goes well beyond the publicizing of a soft drink. The Lux Style Awards have given Pakistan's entertainment industry its only credible awards show that gets written about, talked about, dissected, analysed and so has millions across the country tune in to the grand night. Every controversy makes the LSAs bigger and with every year, they have grown, both in the scope of the show and more importantly the evolution of the jury and process of deciding the nominees and winners. Coke Studio is not about winners or competition, it is about an experience - the live music recording - and it has the potential to get bigger and bigger as the years roll by.

I was lucky enough to witness Coke Studio in the making at Studio 146. Beginning with a rehearsal of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Ali Azmat, which the latter had invited me to, the experience had me hooked. I went there every day for over a week, sometimes with colleagues and other times alone. There was the feeling of greatness in the making and though one was not an intrinsic part of it, there was a thrill to witnessing the process that remains embedded in memory. I remember... Rohail Hyatt manning the controls, working through sound with Zeeshan Parwez, Omran Shafique and Gumby who formed the core music group. Selina and Saba, the backing vocal girls trying valiantly to make their vocal parts heard over Rahat's massive voice. Strings redoing 'Sar Kiye Yeh Pahar' with the lewa beat played by Abdul Lateef and gang and Faisal Kapadia rehearsing with Ustad Gullo with both him and Bilal grinning from ear to ear as the maestro took 'Duur' where no untrained vocalist is capable of taking it. The surprisingly easy energy between Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Ali Azmat and noticing how when they spoke, it was Ali's who was loud and Rahat had such hushed tones and then when they sang, how Rahat could eclipse even the defeaning sound that is Gumby on drums. I remember getting goosebumps when Ali Zafar performed 'Allah Hoo' with Tufail stunned at how controlled and melodic Ali Zafar is when he's not being the pop prince. And I remember pure pleasure as I grooved to both the funked up version of 'Channo' and most of all to Ali Azmat's 'Main Challa' that saw Omaran Shafique and Zeeshan Parwez go manic in the best possible way. Coke Studio was an unforgettable experience that one is looking forward to reliving via television.

And this wave of nostalgia unfortunately brings me to the launch. With a corporate evening followed by a party, the Coke Studio launch did no justice to the project whatsoever. Looking at the red carpet pictures, one can see that all the world was there and when that happens, it's perceived to be a successful launch. That is simply not the case. A successful launch is one that accurately portrays the project to the invitees. In this case, it was the press. A short segment of Sanam Saeed explaining Coke Studio in English, inviting Rohail Hyatt to say a few words and calling on the Coke Studio core music team to just say hi to the audience didn't do anything to convey the scope or spirit of the project. Looking back, I remember the Pakistan Fashion Week media launch, cleverly conceived by IMG as a talk show where by inviting a series of fashion people on stage, Simon Lock managed to convey the gist of fashion week to the media present. Coke Studio needed to be launched in a similar way, to convey what it was about. Had I not attended the making of Coke Studio itself, I would have walked out of the launch saying: "What are they trying to do?"

Frieha Altaf was roped in to handle the event which she did as she does most launches. Here it must be said that Frieha is one of the most efficient organisers of fashion shows and parties. The problem with Coke Studio is that the project is neither. It needed to have a sophisticated launch tailored to give the invitees a feel of the event. Instead, what one saw was a bad press conference, conducted in English with a media catering to an Urdu speaking nation. No questions were asked, nothing was explained. And this was followed by an influx of the party crowd of Karachi. A group of boys did numbers on the dance floor and slowly, some people around joined in. The dance floor was sleazy, packed with people who one didn't know. It was the Karachi that has just learned to party. It seemed to that everybody there had somehow managed to get a hold of a ticket, because one could see no reason on earth why they would be invited to the launch of Coke Studio or indeed why they would want to come. And so the launch of one of my most sublime experiences in covering the local music scene turned into a free for all for the party animals of the city… and believe me when I say, it's a jungle out there! The climax, which is when one decided to leave was when the dance floor turned onto a stage setting for a disco mujra, when a well known model followed by a dancer made some really raunchy moves on stage, as a crowd around them clapped and egged them on and rolling cameras captured it all on tape. The launch of Coke Studio was as awful as the Coke Studio experience was memorable. Strings left soon after the party had begun. I saw a bemused Tufail sitting with a friend. Rahat was hanging on the fringes of the evening when he disappeared. Omran, Gumby and Zeeshan were at wit's ends. Rohail Hyatt's children were sitting with their friends laughing at the scenario before them. And while, the evening was funny in a "What the hell is going" on kind of a way, ultimately it was no laughing matter. When a project that attempts to bring together the classical and folk traditions of Pakistan together with the best pop and rock acts this country has to offer is launched by an event that shows no regard for the talent, it leaves a bad taste in the mouth. Coke Studio is a mind blowing concept that deserves better. Here hoping Coke, Rohail Hyatt and Frieha Altaf live and learn. By Muniba Kamal Source: Instep

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