The second episode of Coke Studio season 9 (Pakistan) lives up to the brilliance of the first no doubt. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s nostalgic tribute to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s Afreen Afreen takes the cake along with Javed Bashir and Ali Azmat’s rock-qawwali. Looks like season 9 is about to revamp our playlists with its top notch selection of singers, musicians and folk artists. But what it really rides on is our love for nostalgia.
A Nostalgic Tribute: Afreen Afreen
To be honest, we never quite got over Nusrat sahab’s genius in the 90s hit Afreen Afreen. Javed Akhtar’s lyrics and Lisa Ray’s arresting eyes came flashing back as Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Momina Mustehsan got behind the mics to sing their own beautiful version of this epic love song. It has to be said, Rahat sahab comes extremely close to his uncle in terms of talent, and nostalgia is on his side too. The track is original and dynamic despite being a tribute to a legend and you’ll love the way it picks up right at the end, only to leave you stunned with vocal prowess that you thought only the great Nusrat was capable of.
A Rock-Qawwali That’ll Leave You In a Trans: Man Kunto Maula
Man Kunto Maula is an uplifting track that fits the very definition of fusion. Javed Bashir’s classical style blends so well into Ali Azmat’s intensely dynamic Sufi rock style. This track will make you sway and head bang too. Bringing together Sabir Zafir’s lyrics (Ali Azmat’s part) with verses from Hazrat Ameer Khusro’s kalaam is such a great idea. This soulful energetic rock-qawwali will leave you in a trans at the very end.
A Supersonic Headrush: Baliye (Laung Gawacha)
Laung Gawacha is probably one of the most popular Punjabi folk wedding songs you’ve danced to. This version stands out in that it starts off with a supersonic rush, like you’ve been hit by a double expresso, and turns folk only after the damage has been done. Harron Shahid’s Baliye comes across as a bit over-produced. But the high octane first half mellows down with Quratulain Baloch’s rustic Laung Gawacha. Frankly, it’s far from the charm of Musarrat Nazir’s original. The Noori brothers have directed this quirky fusion, which sadly is a bit too crazy for me. I’m a sucker for harmony and this track totally lacks it.
A One Time Listen: Bholay Bhalay
Meesha Shafi is always a pleasure to watch and hear. She brings her funk to Bholay Bhalay written by Sabir Zafar, composed by Shani Arshad. Adding to the song’s quirk is Shani himself on a vocoder, and the psychedelic fusion of the harmonium, sitar and guitar is pretty groovy too. This number is a one time listen and hardly a patch on Shafi’s vocal range.
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