Coke Studio is set to release the 2nd episode of Season 8 featuring ‘Sammi Meri Waar’ by Umair Jaswal and Quratulain Balouch (QB), ‘Sakal Ban’ by Rizwan and Muazzam, ‘Rockstar’ by Ali Zafar and ‘Chirya Da Chamba’ by Suraiya Khanum featuring Anwar Maqsood.
On their first collaborative single, ‘Sammi Meri Waar’ – the duo, Umair Jaswal and Quratulain Balouch (QB) stick close to their dual strengths. A folk Punjabi song that is traditionally sung at weddings, the track has been masterfully entwined by the house band featuring a strong groove underlined by Sajid Ali’s flute and Tanveer Tafu’s moody Mandolin rhythm. Jaswal’s rich voice fuses smoothly with QB’s signature deep vocal which gives way to the hook of the song’s rising chorus, making it a track that is both catchy and irresistible.
‘Sammi Meri Waar’ – Performance Credits
Artists
Umair Jaswal & Quratulain Balouch
Guest Musician
Sajid Ali (flute), Tanveer Tafu (mandolin)
Houseband
Aahad Nayani (Drums), Babar Khanna (tabla/Dholak), Haider Ali (Keyboards), Imran Akhoond (Guitars), Jaffer Zaidi (Piano/String Section Arrangements), Omran Shafique
(Guitars), Kamran ‘mannu’ Zafar (Bass), Sikandar Mufti (Percussions)
String Section
Javed Iqbal (Head Violinist), Islamuddin Meer (violin), Manzoor Ahmed (violin), Saeed Ahmed (violin)
Backing Vocalists
Momin Durrani, Rachel Viccaji, Sara Haider
As the rightful torchbearers to the century old tradition of Qawwali, ‘Sakal Ban’ adds to Rizwan and Muazzam‘s colossal catalog of their signature sound, marked by churning rhythms and apocalyptic finality. With the doubled-over vocals and the throbbing beat of the drums by Aahad Nayani, coupled with the timeless kalaam of Amir Khusrau, the track is nothing less than a beautiful sensory experience. The mood intensifies further with Tanveer Tafu’s guitar solo and once again establishes Rizwan and Muazzam’s unique flair of creating a sonic ocean only they’re capable of.
‘Sakal Ban’ – Performance Credits
Artists
Rizwan & Muazzam
Guest Musicians
Tanveer Tafu (Guitar)
Humnawa: Muhammad Aourangzaib, Tariq, Ghulam Abbas, Anwar Ali
‘Rockstar’ is a funky, jazz-esque biopic with Ali Zafar’s signature old-fashioned songwriting coupled with an addictive groove. With overblown violin riffs and Mannu’s sharp bass lines – there are plenty of twists and turns varying between modern harmonies to old-school classic desi rhythms midway through the song featuring the Dhol and Harmonium. The backing vocalists add a classic 60s texture to the track, all along complimenting Ali Zafar’s high-pitched and oft baritone vocals as he sings about scoring a hit every season amongst other ‘rockstar’ prerequisites.
‘Rockstar’ – Performance Credits
Artist
Ali Zafar
Guest Musicians
Arsalan Rabbani (Harmonium), Sajid Ali (flute)
Houseband
Aahad Nayani (Drums), Babar Khanna (tabla/Dholak), Haider Ali (Keyboards), Imran Akhoond
(Guitars), Jaffer Zaidi (Piano/String Section Arrangements), Omran Shafique
(Guitars), Kamran ‘mannu’ Zafar (Bass), Sikandar Mufti (Percussions)
String Section
Javed Iqbal (Head Violinist), Islamuddin Meer (violin), Manzoor Ahmed (violin), Saeed Ahmed (violin)
Backing Vocalists
Momin Durrani, Rachel Viccaji, Sara Haider
‘Chirya Da Chamba’ is the subtle beginning of the perfect soundscape where less is more. Suraiya Khanum’s exceptionally moving vocals add on to the earthy sound of the matka, a repetitive cycle of the piano and the guitar creating a seamless transition into a poem recital by Anwar Maqsood. The poignant words penned by the legend himself is an emotional letter to a father from his daughter who has been married off, reminiscing about the time she spent at her family home. ‘Chirya Da Chamba’ is a classic soulful performance recorded in the first take.
‘Chiryan Da Chamba’ – Performance Credits
Artists
Suraiya Khanum & Anwar Maqsood
Houseband
Babar Khanna (tabla/Dholak), Haider Ali (Keyboards), Imran Akhoond
(Guitars), Jaffer Zaidi (Piano/String Section Arrangements), Omran Shafique
(Guitars), Kamran ‘mannu’ Zafar (Bass), Sikandar Mufti (Percussions)
Episode Two of Coke Studio’s Eighth chapter in its journey will be aired on all major television channels, radio stations and available online. The airing schedule for the can be viewed here.
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