The great gig in the sky II

The second episode from Coke Studio goes on air tonight. These week’s show includes performances from Ali Zafar, Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan, Josh, Saieen Zahoor and Atif Aslam with Riyaz Ali Khan. Instep gives you a sneak peak…

By Maheen Sabeeh

‘Dastaan-e-Ishq
(Nachna Painda)’
- Ali Zafar and Baqir Abbas

Last year Ali Zafar set Coke Studio on fire with his rendition of ‘Allah Hoo’ alongside Saeen Tufail Ahmed. This year he is back at Coke Studio.

“Something changed in Ali. You could see it. After ‘Allah Hoo’, Ali felt something on that floor last year,” said Coke Studio co-producer Umber Hyatt while speaking with Instep.
And if last year Ali Zafar took the first plunge, this year he has gone all out with ‘Dastaan-e-Ishq (Nachna Painda)’ which Ali composed with Baqir Abbas.

“We did the composition while the poetry is mostly Sufi but I wrote the chorus,” said Ali Zafar while speaking with Instep.

This is a different Ali Zafar, one who has been exploring folk and classical music for the last two years and those learnings have spilled onto Coke Studio where the focus is on our own heritage and sounds that hail from this soil. Not surprisingly, this is a perfect musical union. And then there is Baqir Abbas, whose flute has given this song a soft sonorous feel that will last long after the song stops playing.

‘Kinara’ – Riaz Ali Khan with Atif Aslam

As a rock song, ‘Kinara’ is one of the grungier tunes Atif Aslam has composed. Off his last record, Meri Kahani, the tune goes for a rollercoaster ride at Coke Studio where Atif joins Riyaz Ali Khan and gives an astounding performance. For the uninformed, Riyaz Ali Khan hails from the prestigious Sham Chaurasia Gharana and he is as lethal a singer as it gets.

With every song at Coke Studio, Atif Aslam is showing a different side of himself, one which is not afraid to explore new musical dimensions. This collaboration has plenty moments to prove this. And for whatever its worth, singing in front of the inimitable Riyaz Ali Khan is no small feat but Atif and Riyaz Ali Khan gel very well together.

‘Toomba’ – Saieen Zahoor featuring Ali Hamza on the banjo

Saieen Zahoor is phenomenal. Those who saw him on episode one of Coke Studio (season two) will have no doubt about his ferocious talent. And the ones who are unaware of this man’s might are in for a surprise. ‘Toomba’ is an original composition by Saieen Zahoor and the man is hypnotising and majestic. Besides Coke Studio house band (under the watchful eyes of Rohail Hyatt), Saieen Zahoor also gets musical support from Ali Hamza of Noori on the banjo.

As Ali admitted earlier, he discovered banjo on the sets of Coke Studio and he has taken to it. On ‘Toomba’, Ali Hamza strums the strings gently and it just makes the song so much more melodic and captivating.

‘Jaaney Do’ – Josh

Qurram Hussain aka Q
and Rupinder Magon aka Rup flew out from Canada for Coke Studio. This is their debut at Coke Studio and both Q and Rup have not disappointed us. Josh are known for their fusion of bhangra with contemporary beats but this tune is a nice change of pace from the band.

Featured on their record Kabhi, ‘Jaanay Do’ is a subtle ballad and Coke Studio musicians have added more character and mood to this soulful ditty. It is not one of the most famous songs Josh have written but it is one of their finest and at Coke Studio this fact shines out.

‘Ankhon Key Saagar’ – Shafqat Amanat Ali featuring
Gul Mohammad on the sarangi

‘Ankhon Key Saagar’ was ‘one of the most groundbreaking songs of this decade. It captured an entire nation by its pulse. It was and still remains the song that introduced the classes and the masses to the magic of Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan’s voice. At Coke Studio, that magic appears once again on a different level altogether.

“It is a sad song. He doesn’t find her in the end,” says producer Rohail Hyatt about the song. Keeping this sentiment in mind, Coke Studio has created a song that is epic in sound and truly spectacular. ‘Ankhon Key Saagar’ is a lot more heartbreaking and haunting. And Gul Mohammad’s sarangi – a multi string instrument – gives a mournful air to this song. Its absolutely brilliant stuff.

Terminator Salvation*

*ing: Christian Bale, Sam Worthington and Helena Bonham Carter
Directed by McG
Tagline: The End Begins

With films like Batman Begins and The Dark Knight behind him, Christian Bale has arrived in Hollywood big time. But amidst the rising star graph, Terminator Salvation is a regrettable dent. Even as the film has raked in moolah on the US box office, it still doesn’t make for a decent film.

Terminator Salvation is washed-out, weak and ultimately boring. For those who haven’t seen the first three films – The Terminator, Terminator: Judgment Day and Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines – this film just might remotely entertain you for some of its smoldering fighting sequences. But for fans of the franchise, this film is a major disappointment.

For one thing, there is nothing remotely original about this film. Since the inception of the first film, The Terminator, it was clear that a war was ahead and John Connor needed protection.

And that is where the real action began. There was Sarah Connor, the mother and other Terminators with a clear aim and mission in sight. And these machines were frightening and eerie for their sheer determination and skill.

In Terminator Salvation, John Connor lives in a post-apocalyptic world where machines and human beings have a go at each other. And then there are other subplots as well.
Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington) who has no recollection of the past is on death row and John must decide his fate while rescuing others. But neither are the subplots explored with vision nor is there anything enticing about this film.

There are many reasons why Terminator Salvation is such a disappointment. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s absence stands out like a sore thumb. He never had too many dialogues in any Terminator films but it was his demeanour and the bond he developed with John Connor over the years that gave this man versus machine story some heart and hope. Arnold was the saving grace of Terminator 3 and without him, Salvation is lacks intrigue and that unpredictability factor Arnold’s Terminator brought with him.

The other problem is the story itself. Humans versus machines is a Hollywood favourite. The jaw-dropping, mind boggling and inspiring Matrix franchise from Wachowski Brothers took the game to a new level. Conceived as a trilogy, The Matrix gave man and machines plenty to fight about. But the epic battle had a story line that moved in a coherent gripping manner all the way to third and final film of the franchise, The Matrix Revolutions.

There is no Salvation for this Terminator though Christian Bale does justice to his inadequate script. Throughout the film he growls and moans and fights machines but unfortunately there is nothing else to it.

Director MCG, whose credits include Charlie’s Angels, has gone down with this film. The tagline, “The End Begins”, should hold true for the Terminator franchise. It really is time to close this chapter.

– Maheen Sabeeh

*YUCK
**WHATEVER
***GOOD
****SUPER
*****AWESOME

Coke Studio and beyond: The wonderful world of Umber and Rohail Hyatt

Behind every successful man is a woman and Rohail Hyatt is the first to admit it, as he and his wife Umber let Instep in to their home and life at the height of Coke Studio fever.

By Maheen Sabeeh

Meet the producers
To the world at large, Coke Studio is the magnum opus genius of Rohail Hyatt. Featuring Pakistan’s biggest names in music, both from the Eastern classical/folk front and modern day pop giants while introducing new musicians into the mix who have hitherto remained unknown backing musicians at various concerts, the second season of Coke Studio is looking spectacular. Not surprisingly, since Coke Studio Season 2 hit the airwaves, the official website of the show (www.cokestudio. com.pk) has been clogged thanks to heavy traffic while Facebook and YouTube are filled with people uploading, downloading videos and commenting on the show.

The show’s real success and the amount of effort and time that is put into gear for a show like Coke Studio to happen can be gauged by the people behind the show, its producers. Coke Studio was recorded in three days but the rehearsals went on for over a month. But that is just one angle to this multi-dimensional show that takes pride in shining a light on history, heritage and exploring the sound of the soil while keeping it in check with the times.

And for the producers the show takes form months in advance. It began in October last year and is ongoing as this article goes into print. The planning, execution and post-production of Coke Studio is a daunting mission. There are too many layers. There are the stars of course, then there is the houseband. There is technical aspect to take into account; the aim is for perfect sound. And to do this in a nation known for ‘jugar’ like we are requires a dogged pursuit of professionalism. And it must be done hand in hand with the creative aspect of the project. There are too many battles to be fought on too many fronts, too many problems to be solved, too many risks to be taken, and umpteen experiments to conduct without really knowing what the outcome will be.

But the producers aren’t complaining. The aim is to create long lasting music that reflects on our heritage and will be remembered years from now. And that makes it all worth it.

One of the producers, as everyone knows is Rohail Hyatt, the man whose vision for Coke Studio has given the music industry a leg to stand on at a time when musical activity is overshadowed by political, security and economic tensions. The other producer is lesser known beyond music industry circles. She is known as Ma Hyatt on the sets of Coke Studio. She is Umber Hyatt, aka Mrs Rohail Hyatt. Rohail and Umber’s partnership is the stuff of legend in the music world. It is in many ways over and above a marriage (the two eloped while in their teens), and Umber has very much been a part of Rohail’s journey, beginning from being a struggling musician, to the unprecedented success of Vital Signs, the Pyramid years (where she truly earned the title ‘Ma’ because everyone there called her that; she was managing the operation spearheaded by Rohail) and now through to Coke Studio where she is very much a part of the process,
Neither Rohail nor Umber agree to take credit for the show but collectively the two of them are the driving force behind this project.

Behind every man…
“Rohail credited me as a producer whereas it should be line producer,” says Umber softly as we chat about Coke Studio in their kitchen.

On the set of Coke Studio, Umber’s job description varied. From dealing with artists and their managers to dealing with the bevy of people who form the Coke Studio crew, budgeting, and even making sure that everyone is fed, Umber was on her toes. And those same rules apply even now. Coke Studio is being edited and Umber is living it along with Rohail (who is too busy to sleep).

“This man was sleeping here after I sent him to a masseuse,” laughs Umber, pointing to the rug lying on the kitchen floor.

This kitchen is in fact the same where Rohail was editing Coke Studio last year (yes, the kitchen has an editing suite too). And this year, the kitchen is celebrating the presence of a new television. Not too much has changed inside the kitchen or the studio.

“Rohail bought this TV for me as a present,” she laughs.
Rohail is working on Coke Studio inside his studio, right across the house where they live.

When it comes to Umber and Rohail, home and studio have become one and the same. Umber says that she’s been living in a studio ever since she married Rohail and she is comfortable with. One gets the sense that the studio has become a part of her even as she has become a part of it. And Rohail’s love for music and his commitment (you can even say obsession) has overflowed into the life of his family. His son Sheryar produces music under the label Mooshy Moo and his younger son Danial plays in a band called Mole. They’ve grown up tinkering around with sound… the gadgets have been readily available. The Hyatts are a musical family, the only exception being Charmaine who is studying in Canada.

“Rohail is a perfectionist. The Vital Signs album – Hum Tum – had to be taken from him or he would’ve continued producing it,” she recalls.

If Rohail creates concepts, Umber is the one who pushes him towards the reality of execution.
“Rohail is a planning freak. I push him to stick to the plan,” says Umber as she takes a long drag on a cigarette.

Rohail and Umber are a team and it’s the unison and understanding of the art of music, history, culture and identity that makes them work.

If Rohail is the perfectionist, Umber is, as Rohail puts it, “Headstrong… she is strict like you have to pull your socks up in front of the principal right? She is the principal,” Rohail laughs and continues, “If I can be called a successful man, then Umber would be the reason. That old saying, behind every successful man…” Rohail trails off.

As people, Umber and Rohail are, in some ways, very similar. They are both guarded and private. Umber is perhaps a little more reserved but the ability to slide away from the spotlight is common to both. Both Umber and Rohail think of and refer to Coke Studio as a ’she’ who is a separate entity. And their hearts break when musical instruments do. It is just who they are and it is refreshing. They are both wonderfully weird and these days, they are both working around the clock. Even as this interview was being planned, it was difficult to pin down Rohail and Umber because of their hectic, overworked schedules.

At the sets of Coke Studio, Rohail was constantly on the floor, taking the musical journey forward, conversing between takes with musicians, recording and grooving to the sound on the floor. On the other hand, Umber could be seen inside the office space and whether it was taking care of budgets or management, or simply making sure that everybody was fed, Umber was on it.

“All the budgets, talking to the artists, managing… that is easy. It is nothing compared to the technical planning that goes into the show. There are diagrams and drawings on paper,” explains Umber.

The story of Umber and Rohail is decades old. As a member of one of Pakistan’s biggest pop acts in the nineties, Vital Signs, Rohail Hyatt understands the reservations and dilemmas that plague musicians. As someone who has seen the Signs grow and reach new heights of success before calling it off, Umber has seen it just as up close and personal.

At Coke Studio, both Umber and Rohail are professionals with various tasks at hand. But the difference between these two and everybody else is the kind of respect they command and the level of trust the music industry has in their abilities.

Spend three days, 12 hours at a stretch at Coke Studio and the industry looks different. It feels different because of the atmosphere that snaps back into action when Coke Studio begins.

“Actually a lot of people dropped their guard. I mean when they came they were guarded. You could see it when they walked in. But something happened while Coke Studio was happening. I just hope it stays.”
From the Noori brothers to Saieen Zahoor, Riyaz Ali Khan, Javed Bashir to Strings, Atif Aslam, Ali Zafar, Arieb Azhar, Zeb and Haniya, Josh, Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan among others, the view is unanimous. Coke Studio rocks and so do the producers.

“What’s really kind is that everyone… they’ve been so generous with their compliments. I got a call from Riyaz Ali Khan’s wife. She said, ‘I called to thank you. This man travels around the world and he has done countless shows but he is never happy. But today he is in a very good mood’. When things like that happen, you just go ‘wow’. Because we just managed to put a smile on this grumpy old man’s face,” says Umber honestly.

From season one to season two: the journey so far
Coke Studio’s first season was a learning ground where little of everything was dabbled in.
“Season one was started with an objective. The idea behind Coke Studio is not to be cool or Western or imitate. It’s just an experience for me and all others involved to look inwards. It is about who we really are. We can’t deny the fact that the soil we live on was once India. The British were here and many others before them. All of them have left behind something. It’s a melting pot,” reflects Rohail.
“Year one we opened the door, year two we walked in and we haven’t done it completely because it’s not possible. But we are walking in.”

Meanwhile the sound that resonated at Coke Studio and will hit airwaves in the coming weeks is surely different. It’s less aggressive in sound and the concentration has been more folk-friendly, which comes as a nice change after season one.

“This year the sound is folk. I think it’ll take a couple of passes before people realise that this sound is different. It allows you to believe that amidst all the sounds that we hear daily all around us, here is a sound that is possible. Anyone who tries to create something new out of something old, re-create and make something new is criticised for ruining the original. As far as Coke Studio goes, some people might say, ‘yeh kya kardiya?’ But it is a new generation. It’s the 2009 version of songs like ‘Yaar Dhadee’ and ‘Maye Ne Mein’. There are maybe 40 versions of this tune. Some of them will be good and some will be bad but that’s the beauty of folk music. One hopes that these will be versions which will be long lasting,” says Rohail.

But the sound isn’t the only change. One change is the introduction of Danial Hyatt on graphics. The youngest out of the brood, Danial managed to shock pretty much everyone who met him on the sets, if not for his music than his sheer knowledge of all things technical.

“Danial did the LED screen graphics. I’m not dumb and I don’t say that with arrogance. But I look at my kids and I realize that there is that intrigue. We’re not academics. We run from school and institutions and the dictatorial environment that follows it. After Matric, I dropped out. I knew that I was capable of doing what I said I could do and I have done it. I see that in Danial,” says Rohail and adds laughingly, “Sometimes I’m a cool dad…”

For Umber who is indeed a proud mother, the equation has always been different.
“I have a bias to him. He is my son. And there is no denying the bias. The things that I love about him and the things that people admire him for maybe very different. He is my son who I have tripped out conversations with and who writes these songs,” says Umber referring to Danial’s music as she trails off.
But despite having their own son around, Umber and Rohail were still Ma and Pa to everyone at Coke Studio.

“I have many children,” says Umber. And she is right. Without trying to be anything other than herself, Umber managed to leave a mark on everyone. When Atif Aslam was recording his set, he dedicated ‘Meri Kahani’ to Umber. And he has never worked with Rohail and Umber prior to Coke Studio.
Adnan Malik could be seen yelling “PAAAAA ” at regular intervals at Coke Studio.
They don’t look like Ma and Pa by any traditional viewpoint. But in their case, these names represent the kind of sentiment that was created at Coke Studio.
The process of Coke Studio…
The buzz around the show, various rumours (from not-so-reliable sources) led to the notion that Indian acts were being considered for the show this year.
“A lot of names were under consideration but nothing was final. Shubha Mudgal and Kailash Kher were two names. We were also considering some acts from UK but it never panned out,” says Rohail.
And as for the stars, there were no problems with anyone.

“I had no problems with anyone, any of the artists. I dealt with Shabaz Aslam – Atif Aslam’s brother and manager – and I really think he is a very good manager. I was dealing with Sania Saeed for Shafqat and she was very nice. People think I am bull*****ng but that really is the truth. I think the artists know that we are on their side because we’ve been there ourselves,” says Umber.

The songs that one hears from Coke Studio take final form after months of preparation. So how does it work?

“I recommend songs to the artists and then it’s each artist who must own the platform. I’ve been an artist so I know that what an artist actually wants to do and the song that is most famous are almost never the same. With Vital Signs, it was always ‘Gori’ or ‘Sanwali Saloni’ but those were not the songs we always wanted to do. And if as an artist you do a song that you want to do, your heart will be in it. That is what I look for and encourage,” says Rohail off the vision behind every song that plays out at Coke Studio.
Now in its second season, Coke Studio airs nationwide and via the Internet, worldwide. Not only does it boast of incredibly talented and popular names like Atif Aslam or Ali Zafar, it also serves as a platform for all involved. Whether it is Babar Khanna on percussions or Javed Iqbal on violins or Gumby on drums, the focus is not just on the stars but everyone. Coke Studio is about equality and harmony. And that is why it works.

“Almost all of these people wanted to be a part of Coke Studio, not for the money and that’s the driving force. I mean there are so many people who want to be a part of Coke Studio but there are factors like marketing, PR etc. There is a science behind it because there is also a lot of heart behind it. And when the two meet, that makes the difference,” says Rohail.
In the end, both Umber and Rohail echo similar notes.

To both of them Coke Studio is an alive entity, one that they don’t control. They both have roles to play.
When they speak about each other, both say one thing that defines this relationship. “It works.” Seeing them both in action, on and off sets of Coke Studio, its clear… it really does work. And we wouldn’t want it any other way.

– Photos by Rizwan ul Haq and Kohi Marri

“I know six years is a big break. But I never walked away from music. I never released an album because I wanted to do a different album, something I have never done before.” – Hadiqa Kiani

Maheen Sabeeh
Karachi

Hadiqa Kiani returns to the limelight with her brand new album, Aasman and takes on the experimental genre of dance and RnB

From pop beats to the dance floor…

“This is a magical moment,” said Hadiqa Kiani at the press launch of her latest record, Aasmaan. It’s been six years since Hadiqa released her last record, Rung. She was not AWOL completely.

There have been collaborations, a slew of them in fact in the last few years. Whether it is a full-fledged English language album like Rough Cut (with Aamir Zaki) or anti-terrorism tune like ‘Yeh Hum Nahin’ or the groovy ‘Mehr Ma’ with Khiza, Hadiqa has been around.

But six years is a big break for fans, especially in an industry where female musicians are rare. And even as the numbers are slowly rising, it is still a predominantly male dominated environment.

“I know six years is a big break. But I never walked away from music. I never released an album because I wanted to do a different album, something I have never done before,” said Hadiqa while speaking with Instep Today.

This maybe Hadiqa’s first album in six years but she has been busy doing other things including singing in languages as varied as Chinese, Turkish, Persian and Pushto. The reflections can be heard on the new album where Hadiqa sings not just in Urdu but also Pushto and Persian.

It’s too soon to give a verdict to the album. But if the first single, ‘Sohnya’ is anything to go by, fans and music critics are in for a surprise.

The video, screened at the press conference, is directed by Sohail Javed. And it is a simple video which serves as a platform for Hadiqa. Seeing Hadiqa move with the beats is a sight to see.

Even though ‘Sohnye’ is a groovy number, there is something inherently local about it. Hadiqa’s vocals soar very high and the usage of dhols has given the song a slight edge. It doesn’t sound like a Western imitation even though it remains true to the ethos of dance music. It hasn’t been ripped off Western beats like songs by bands such as Circle of Trust.

The superstar is back

Hadiqa Kiani, alongside her brother Irfan Kiani (who has produced the album) was a sight to see as she mingled with the press, before and after the press conference.

When she was speaking with the press, Hadiqa floored pretty much everyone when she said, “I know that its not easy to take out time but I’m grateful to all of you for being here. And if you can take out time for me, I can do the same for all of you.”

And Hadiqa made sure that no one was forgotten. From the names featured on the album such as UK-based JKD or sound engineer Kashif Ejaz, Hadiqa mentioned everyone. Also present at the press conference was VJ Naveen Waqar who confessed that she was a “Hadiqa fan”.

Doctor Akbar Yezdani, CEO of Fire Records stated, “I think a lot of hard work has gone into this album. Hadiqa is the female pop icon in Pakistan and we welcome her.”

And finally President of Geo Television Network, Imran Aslam spoke and he accurately portrayed the importance of Hadiqa Kiani to Pakistan and the world at large.

“Is Shor Mein Yeh Awaaz Nahie Gumti (Amidst all the noise, this voice is never lost),” he said. “Hadiqa is versatile and she is modern yet traditional and that is a great achievement. She doesn’t sing on DAT. And when she performs, people enjoy her energy.”

The times are a-changing and so should music

“I don’t think we could’ve done better than this,” said Irfan Kiani while speaking with Instep Today. Both Hadiqa and Irfan maintain that while they grew up on Beegees and Pink Floyd, the times have changed and they are moving with the beat.

“We picked up this genre and there is a market for it. It took us years to release it but we’ve done it. Our surroundings are such that we can’t ignore them. The unstable situation affects everyone. But if one chooses to not release an album, that decision is like giving into the agonizing factors,” says Hadiqa firmly.

And Hadiqa was also very forthcoming about the letter (see box below) which first released on Facebook and is now rotating in the world of cyberspace and mentioned among other things, her divorce and her return to the limelight. Hadiqa did write it and there were some solid reasons.

“I was getting calls and queries about everything and that’s when I wrote the note. I have gotten divorced. Its legal and its been a year. My mother suffers from paralysis. She has been for the last three years and I have to be there for her. I couldn’t move to the UK,” she says.

Meanwhile Hadiqa is enjoying her role as a mother immensely. The new album is dedicated to her son who she says, “The best thing in my life. Life has changed and gotten better because of him.”

She maybe a mother but Hadiqa is nowhere near calling it quits. Not only is she making a return with an album but she is also a judge on the show, LG Awaaz Banaye Star. And for her the show is important because “it is a student-based”. In other words, the contestants are young students and to Hadiqa, this is how talent will develop in Pakistan.

And until that happens, there is always Hadiqa…

The good and bad news

Just a few weeks prior to the release of this album, Hadiqa Kiani wrote a note on Facebook to answer queries from her fans who had been wondering where the singer was.

And here’s what the letter said…

Hello everybody!

Good news is that I will be appearing as a judge in an upcoming music reality show on Geo TV for the next one year (starting very soon).

It’s a big show sponsored by LG Electronics. Another good news is that my album will be out very soon as two videos are ready and two more are on the editing table (will be ready by the end of this month).

My dear fans, I had been through tough times in my life because of my mothers paralysis in 2005 and my second divorce with Farid Sarwary in 2008 (mainly because of the distance). I could not settle down in UK leaving my sick mother behind.

Anyways God has always been very kind and I feel so blessed to be the mother of my angel Naaday Ali.

I have worked really hard on my album along with amazing musicians of Pakistan, UK and Belgium.

After the release of my album I’ll start touring and will get a chance to meet most of you. Also my official website Hadiqa Kiani will reopen on the day of the release of my album.

Thank you very much for being on my side and giving me support all the way during my tough times.

God Bless you all.

Luv

Hadiqa Kiani

The great gig in the sky

Coke Studio returns to our screens again with its second season tonight. The playing bill for the first episode is explosive. With performances from Saieen Zahoor, Atif Aslam, Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan, Javed Bashir, Noori, Zeb and Haniya, it is a celebration of Pakistani music, an exploration of the sound of the soil and true fusion to remember for years to come. Instep takes a close look at the first episode… By Maheen Sabeeh ‘Aik Alif’ – Saieen Zahoor and Noori Saieen Zahoor is magnificent and so are Noori. They are diverse and completely different from each other as artists, and it is this distinctiveness that gives this collaboration such a razor sharp edge. The poetry hails from Baba Bulley Shah and it speaks of looking within for answers, not outside. And breathing musical life in this poetry is this fusion. Ali Hamza picks up the banjo while Ali Noor stays true to his guitar and Saieen Zahoor weaves mystical magic with his thunderous, hypnotic voice. Brothers Ali Noor and Ali Hamza have given countless hits but never before have we seen them in such spirit. This is Noori experimenting with Coke Studio and it works. Its breezy like fresh air. Excellent stuff. “Can you imagine what this will be like when young Noori fans see them with Saieen Zahoor?” asks Rohail Hyatt. “Because Noori are cool and they are singing with Saieen, suddenly Saieen will become cool to some who do not know him at all,” Rohail points out. Noori are not just about rock ‘n’ roll…

and Saieen Zahoor can play with the best of them. This collaboration, is therefore, a must for all. ‘Paimona’ – Zeb and Haniya featuring Sadiq Sameer It may be in Pashto/Darri but this is one of the most beautiful songs we’ve ever heard. For two young players in the industry, Zeb and Haniya have managed to charm everyone with their talent, and at Coke Studio, they do so with exceptional style and command. ‘Paimona’ is not only haunting and soft but adding more flavour to the song is the addition of Sadiq Sameer on the Iranian rubab, a string instrument that instantly reminds one of Pakistan’s Northern provinces, green hills and the valleys. Sadiq hails from Peshawar and was brought in by Zeb and Haniya to Coke Studio. And his inclusion in the song has definitely given it a more majestic feel. “With everything that is happening in Swat, this song, its feel… it hits close to home. Its good to include this sound too,” says Rohail Hyatt. It is a befitting tribute in these tremulous times. ‘Aj Latha Naeeo’ – Javed Bashir We know him mostly as the singer for Mekaal Hasan Band but this year he is one of the Eastern voices to watch out for. In the opening episode of Coke Studio, this rendition of ‘Aj Latha Naeeo’ only amplifies this fact. “What this man… Javed Bashir… can do, no one else can do it,” says Rohail Hyatt, as we discuss this tune. ‘Aj Latha Naeeo’ was sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and while Javed is certainly no Nusrat, he is indeed a voice that can be fiery and somber in equal grace. He does it like a pro because he is one. And at Coke Studio, the individual that is Javed Bashir shines out. Khamaaj’ – Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan One of the most distinguished voices in the music industry, Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan makes a spectacular debut at Coke Studio this year. Taking the original form of the raag that is khamaaj, the song has been stripped, ripped inside the studio and re-created. The result remains a version that will, in all likelihood, become a favourite in the coming months. Slower, moodier and grabbing, it is truly stunning. “It might not be a version that some will like. But it is closer to the form,” says Rohail Hyatt. ‘Khamaaj’ remains one of the big hits of modern music in Pakistan but at Coke Studio, the regal depth of this song is explored and who better than Shafqat himself doing the honours?

‘Jalpari’ – Atif Aslam Another debut at Coke Studio this year includes superstar singer Atif Aslam. He may be known for his fiery and electrifying stage performances and is considered a huge icon but at Coke Studio, it’s his voice that takes precedence over everything else. Picking up the title track of his debut album, Atif rolls with the music like a complete sport and has fun to boot. The song is ‘Jalpari’, a super popular tune already but never before has Atif sounded this groovy and earthy. And this is experimentation again at its peak. Atif begins with ‘Jalpari’ and lands in a Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan song (that we will not reveal) and he does it with a natural comfort. “There is definitely something about that voice…” Rohail Hyatt trails off when we speak of Atif. Indeed, there is something to that voice…

Maheen Sabeeh

Vampire weekend

The Twilight soundtrack brings together rock favourites Muse, Linkin Park and Collective Soul alongside upcoming acts from around the world. Instep lends an ear…

By Maheen Sabeeh
Artist: Various
Album: Twilight OST****
More than us

To the MySpace generation and followers of digital music, the sound and success of the original soundtrack of Twilight might not be a mystery. To be fair, I do have a bias for the film – its teenage angst mixed with sexy vampires, immortality versus death, glued into a high school love story but entertaining stuff nonetheless. That said, to a huge lot, most artists on the soundtrack may not ring a bell at all.

Their success may be limited to die-hard fans or internet obsessed new music hunters but collectively, these unknown names have helped in building a solid OST, perhaps one of the finest rock albums since Spider-Man. Remember Chad Kroeger’s ‘Hero’?

Even for those who consider Twilight lame, the soundtrack which is a cut between a blend of alternative and rock heavyweights, lays out the dark undertones of the film.

Immortality versus mortality, danger, mystery, love – the album covers the texture of Twilight magnificently. Hard rock fans be warned. There are not just grating guitars and the magic of metal here but it’s more moody and thumping with ethos of electronica spread throughout, making it all the more edgier and tricky.

First are some big guns of music. The biggest one of course is Linkin Park with their tune, ‘Leave Out All The Rest’ which was first featured on their album, Minutes to Midnight.

On this song, the aggressive American rock band simply surrender as Chester sings, “I’m strong on the surface/Not all the way through/I’ve never been perfect/But neither have you/So if you’re asking me/I want you to know/When my time comes/Forget the wrong that I’ve done/Help me leave behind some/Reasons to be missed/Don’t resent me/And when you’re feeling empty/Keep me in your memory/Leave out all the rest, leave out all the rest” – it’s a fantastic, toned-down tune on this record.

Modern rock act Collective Soul delivers a slightly tipsy tune called ‘Tremble For My Beloved’ where the lyrics continue throughout “Its a world where madness craves/Its a world where hopes enslaved/Oh, I tremble for my love always” as the sound creates a mournful air. Nine years after the song was first produced, with crunching guitars and flirtatious vocals, the song found its way on one of the biggest soundtracks.

The third major stars on this record are British rockers Muse with their slightly angry rendition of ‘Supermassive Black Hole’ which is the most metallic and grungy song on the record.

Another artist that must be mentioned here is Robert Pattinson. Not only is he leading this vampire saga on the big screen as the actor but he has two songs on the soundtrack and the 23-year-old British actor could easily find an alternative career in music. ‘Let Me Sign’ and ‘Never Think’ are not musically challenging by any stretch. But Robert Pattinson makes it all work because his vocals are fantastic. And the songs are kept short and tight. No over-the-top solos, just pure vocal magic.

Indie wave rules
Twilight isn’t just another ordinary soundtrack. With the big guns, there are lesser known names and they get their shot at the limelight.

Paramore, known till now through their MySpace page have seen over 6 million hits since the Twilight album released. They have delivered two tunes to the album including ‘Decode’ (which was especially composed for the film) and ‘I Caught Myself’. Singer Hayley Williams of Paramore is a self-confessed Twilight series fan and she understood the darkly layered emotions of the film.

Hailing from the United Kingdom, electronic duo Black Ghosts spin a dizzying spell with ‘Full Moon’ while Blue Foundation are hypnotic and sheer brilliant with ‘Eyes on Fire’. A folksy feeling also comes in with Iron & Wine’s ‘Flightless Bird, American Mouth.’ Carter Burwell’s ‘Bella’s Lullaby’ is shuddering while ‘Go All The Way (Into Twilight)’ is liberating and sexy. With thumping beats and wordplay that goes, “You asked me out on many dates/And took me to exotic places/You saw the look upon your face/You men must really love the chases/I’m going to let you have it like you’ve never had before/So take me /Tonight! Lightning Strikes! Let’s go into Twilight!” – it is majestic and wild.

The artists are young and many of them will remind one of acts like Radiohead, Alice in Chains and even Simon and Garfunkel but with a more evolved sound and a personal approach. The wordplay is sometimes just manic, barely hopeful and at other times mournful yet dangerous, naïve yet beautiful, much like the characters in the film. And that is not a bad thing at all.

True blood
Make no mistake. The Twilight OST is not easy listening. It’s a record that tackles issues related to adolescence and at the same time, the bigger problems of life and death, the fantastical reality of choosing between humans and other human-like creatures with grey shades to name just a few. The songs compiled together do justice to the saga that is Twilight. It’s aggressive and wild, cautious and playful, scared and sacred much like the relationship of Edward and Bella in the Twilight series.

This album was more than a sheer stroke of luck. To put together such a varied list, Alexandra Patsavas was hired. For the uninformed, Alexandra has previously played music supervisor to the soundtracks of hit television series like The OC, Grey’s Anatomy and Gossip Girl. Not surprisingly, this record is currently the highest selling rock album of the year.

In the end, the soundtrack works because it is neither disjointed nor incoherent. It plays with your head even as you tap your feet or head bang to Muse. And if any album can stay in your head for weeks and still manage the same effect, it’s worth a listen.

*****Get it NOW!
****Just get it
***Maybe maybe not
**Just download the best song
*Forget that this was made