July 7, 2002

Peace for everyone

After a wait of three long years, Shehzad Roy has finally come out with his latest album Rab Janey. An eclectic mix of different musical styles, the album kicks off with Shehzad collaborating a song with Kenyan-born pop star of international acclaim, Sukhbir. Jinna karlo gai piyar, with its keen Punjabi bhangra-style beat typical to many other Sukhbir numbers, addresses the message of peace and love. A relatively softer song, the title track Rab Janey, spins off in a different direction with its soft melodious sound and reflective tones. Tairay Naal is one of the more interesting and lively numbers, which picks up with its engaging instrumental breaks in the song, with the electric guitar and percussion instruments standing out most. Things slow down a bit with Bhool Ja and its repetitive lyrical monotones. With an upbeat feel and vivacious music Tirchi Nazar, strikes one as a more danceable track on an overall mellow album.

Jan Gayo (instrumental) is a prelude to the song by the same name in which Shehzad decides to try his hand at an approach more desi and folk. The uplifting and cheery Na Asey Shahzadey takes a lighter look at life, with lyrics accented by a comic edge encouraging one kay is haal ich khush rehna. Aas paas, meant to be a reflection on the events in the world today and more specifically on 9/11, tries to gel one too many musical effects together, with the outcome being altogether unconvincing. The second instrumental of the album Roshni ka Yaqeen has Shehzad Roy, himself, at the guitar. With the effective sounds of the bass and electric, this instrumental defiantly comes out more successful than the first, though still not comparable to other more striking songs on the album. With Sufi touch in it, Tairay Dil Main touches a chord with the God fearing soul. Its insightful lyrics bind the melody to give a sound different from the rest of the album. Mukhra, the concluding song of the album, turns out to be not much more than an uninspiring, run of the mill, love song.

Along with this much-awaited album, Shehzad Roy is also soon to release the music video of Jinna karlo gai piyar, with Sukhbir. Shot in different parts of Pakistan, including interior Sindh, the video for the energetic number portrays the story of two hostile households at opposing ends and their children who are friends. The story is interspersed with shots of Shehzad and Sukhbir, both in black leather (again Sukhbir’s signature style) with an industrial plant as a backdrop. The technique of shooting from underneath a glass floor has been used effectively. The choreography and stylized camera movements are in sync with the rhythmic sequence of the song. The music video, as well as the song itself, sends out the message of amity and love. Appealing to a patriotic sense of harmony, it is a recognition of Pakistan’s stand as a peace-loving nation. Shehzad Roy fans will not be disappointed! —Saman Malik

Opting for melody

Faisal Latif’s Chupkay chupkay is supposed to be a tribute to the veteran ghazal singer Ghulam Ali, but the album, with its fusion of eastern melodies with western instruments alongwith the choice of poems, seems to be more inclined towards the Jagjeet Singh style of compositions.

The jewel of this album is Sab maya hey with Ibn-i-Insha’a touching verses and Latif’s lilting composition. The number can be appreciated by the younger generation as well as serious listeners and is the best song of the album.

Salim Kausar’s impressive Mohabbat ka ik peher sung soulfully in a low pitch, is very endearing. After this melancholic number one comes to Amjad Islam Amjad’s Mohabbat ka phelao, a poem previously sung by Dr Amjed Pervez and sung in the same composition by Latif, followed by the sentimental ghazal Ab chand nahin which evokes a feeling of lonliness. Chal uth wey dila is a Punjabi song which leaves an impact on the music lovers who go for serious stuff. The rest of the songs are lighter in vein and are more for the younger generation.

Like his debut album Beqarari, Latif’s latest one might also fail to click in commercial terms but he must be praised for his courage to refuse to jump onto the bandwagon of pop music, which can guarantee instant popularity among the youth. He has chosen a more difficult path opting for rich melody and quality poetry and for that he must be praised. —Abbas Jalbani