Huqa Pani (ACD)
| Artists: |
Ali Zaffar
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| Released by: |
Sadaf Stereo |
| Media: |
Audio CD |
Audio Clip
Complete list of tracks
DESCRIPTION:
Last year, a young boy in a bright blue jacket jumped out
of a video playing on the TV screen and landed straight into the fantasies of a million adolescent girls all over the country. The video was the effervescent "Channo". The boy was Ali Zafar, who had been styled to the max in a simple but incredibly well edited video. The song catered to the lowest common denominator, but the tune was
fresh, thanks to multi layered electronica and the Aladdin concept and bright colours that turned it into a frothy package making it stay on your mind even after the silly vj comes on to announce yet another song.
Two years ago Ali Zafar was also the peeping Tom painter checking out Preeto from the opposite apartment in Ahsan and Amena's colourful laugh riot of a video for Abrar. Indeed, the title track "Huqa Pani" is a nod in Abrar's direction. Bhangra jazzed up with what has now become Ali Zafar's trademark electronica. Yes, there is a distinct
Stereo Nation influence, but Zafar makes the songs his own with his original delivery.
He experiments with "Ek Pal", "Ishq", and "Din Doobay", which take more from Western trance than the Eastern ethos, but they remain songs as much as they do dance numbers.
Ali Zafar's debut tells you one thing. He knows what he wants to do and he knows who he is catering to. What jumps out at you is the filmi influence. The finest song on the album is "Jungnuon Se Bhar Le Aanchal" that Ali Zafar recorded for Samina Peerzada's "Shararat". The film bombed, but it gave Ali a chance to show his mettle. With lyrics
by Aqeel Ruby and composed by Wajahat Attrey, it is a gem of a number. It is the strains of the bansuri floating in and out of the lilting melody showcasing what makes film music such an integral part of our cultural landscape even when our cinema is in the state Sea View has been in since the Tasman Spirit broke into two.
"Chal Dil Meray, Chor Yeh Pheray, Yeh Duniya Jhooti, Log Looteray" is one of the most outstanding songs on "Huqa Pani". Ali delivers it in the way the old guard of sub-continental filmdom did. "Chal Dil Meray" is very filmi and Ali delights in it unabashedly. Then there is "Rangeen" that is very much in the vein of "Disco Dancer" (Yes, the
Mithun Chakraborty smash hit) and the spin offs it inspired. In his early twenties, Ali Zafar is an 80s child and this come through loud and clear on his debut. The only other pop star to have capitalized on film music is Fakhir whose cover of "Sab Toun Sohniye" remains one of his biggest hits.
What elevates "Huqa Pani" above the old wine in a new packaging formula is the fact that Ali Zafar can sing. His command over his voice is tremendous. He's our Justin Timberlake, with that filmi touch. "Teri Yaad Aye" and "Dekha Sung Teray" are two self-indulgent numbers that give him ample opportunity to show off the strength of
his chords. He shows promise as an crooner in the vein of the old timers, but it remains to be seen where he will go from here. His songs are derived from cinema and his music from the club scene. He is as influenced by bhangra as he is by Michael Jackson and one also see shades of Kishore Kumar, Daft Punk, 70s disco and rave music as Pakistan knows it.
It's very interesting bunch of influences that make "Huqa Pani" such an attractive package. And one is thankful. It is nice to know that bands like Noori, EP and Aaroh won't completely take over. In an age where everything, from the food that we eat to the clothes we wear, has all become a statement, simple songs are needed too, songs of pyar
and mohabbat, jugnus and channos. One needs a dose of frivolity to balance Pakistani Rock's ever increasing existential angst. "Huqa Pani" does exactly that. Review taken from: The News International.
Huqa Pani (ACD)
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