The Mekaal Hasan Band gave a rousing performance to a packed and appreciative audience last Saturday at the Alhamra.The band's new line-up led by ace guitarist Mekaal Hasan help the audience spellbound in a riveting 90 minute session in two parts.Launched to preview the band's debut album,'Sampooran', releasing shortly in India,the Middle East and Pakistan,the intensity of the music gripped the audience.
Quite easily the best exponents of fusion-a term that has recently gained popularity-the band played material they had earlier performed with Pete Lockett in 2001 when they had introduced audiences in Lahore,Islamabad and Karachi to an exotic and vibrant blend of our finest classical and folk music with western harmonies and rhythms of jazz and rock.Mekaal has had his roots in western music but discovered the tremendous reservoir of melodies in the ragas of eastern classical music.An ardent believer of the need to introduce our younger generation to our roots through fusion,Mekaal has been studying and experimenting intensely and the results are now reaching the public.While the concerts in 2001 received wide acclaim the band continued to play throughout the following period and at the same time Mekaal was giving the finishing touches to the band's debut album.Their Sunday night peformance came after a long gap,but as one fan said,"it was definitely worth the wait".
The new line-up featured Javed Bashir, the vocalist, who has replaced Riaz Ali Khan.Javed who has the confidence and fluidity that comes with sustained effort,slid comfortably into the groove with the band that was driving complex and punctuated rhythms supported by the solid bass work of Sameer Ahmed,Farhan Albert on keyboards and Jamie Mustafa on rhythm guitar.With Salman Albert excelling on the drums,it was left to Mohd. Ahsan popularily called 'Papu'on the flute to complete the picture.The band leader and clearly it's inspiration,Mekaal Hasan launched into memorable solos on the lead guitar,both plaintive and aggressive,tender and strident,putting the band into overdrive and establishing once again why he is regarded so highly both as a musician and a guitarist.The band's repertoire of about a dozen numbers comprised one tune from Mekaal's unreleased rock album,'Square One',that the fans are expectantly waiting for.The rest of the numbers featured three new compositions,'Jhok Ranjan',which proved an instant hit with its insistent beat and melodic line,'Kinarey',a soulful ballad, and the foot-tapping 'Chalee Re'.From the 'Sampooran' album,the powerful and stirring 'Ya Ali','Sanwal','Raba'and 'Sajan' were among the tunes that demonstrated the power and range of the band.'Ya Ali' which opened the show was powerful andclearly laid down the rules for the evening.
'Sampooran',the title song previously titled 'Seven',featured powerful solos from Mekaal and Papu.
The band demonstrated a high quality of musical excellence and the hard work put in during the day in exhaustive sound checks provided a clear anf balanced sound to the audience,an aspect that often mars live performances.As always,Mekaal's playing left no doubt about his virtuosity and the consummate ease with which he handles his instrument.He led the band through the 90 minute show with skill and precision.

Transcribed from Dawn,Metropolitan section,2nd August,2003