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Billy
Cobham |
Mekaal Hasan has impressed me with ideas
that are unique to rock, pop and fusion. I
first came upon his work through a mutual
friend who asked me to take a listen to a
young composer from Pakistan. I had
immediately pigeonholed him to be folkloric
in background but was shocked to hear what
was on tape. Ever since i have been a fan of
Mekaal Hasan and hope to co-produce a
portfolio of his work.
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Pete
Lockett |
Rarely do you get a great virtuosi talent
who equally combines improvisation,
composition and flair. Mekaal is one such
musician and is sure to make a great impact.
Listen out for him!
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Brian
O' Connell |
I had been working in Pakistan for nearly
seven years with Junoon, before I even heard
of Mekaal. All I heard was that there was this
kid in Lahore who had a studio with the
facility to record live drums. We spend a
month in his studio recording "Parvaaz". It
was during this time that I realized Mekaal's
talent as a recording engineer and as someone
who had a good understanding of music. It
wasn't until we completed our album that
Mekaal humbly asked if I would be interested
in hearing his material. The material which he
played for me soon made me realize that Mekaal
was more than an engineer. Being a guitar
player myself, I was immediately impressed
with his virtuosity and compositional blend of
eastern and western influences. I heard
flavours of some my favorite heroes, Allan
Holdsworth, Steve Vai and Steve Morse in a
unique "Masala" mix which often reflected the
local flavour of the sub-continent. The track
are intricate, intense and crisply produced
and are certainly not for easy listening or
dance music enthusiasts.
Mekaal's compositions journey through
different textures from the balled-like "Paths
Crossing" and "Fall from Grace" to the flash
of "Pantagruel". Tunes like "Square one" and "
Pointblank" groove well with a shuffle feel
and guitar work which is reminiscent of Steve
Morse. Since getting to know Mekaal, I've
become a fan of his music as well as his
production talents.
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Lux Style Awards 2007 |
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The 2nd Jazz IM Awards |
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The 3rd Jazz IM Awards |
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The Musik Awards |
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Lux Style Awards |
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Award for Best Live Act
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Nominated for Best Album
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In
March 2001, Mekaal collaborated with world
renowned percussionist, Pete Lockett in a series
of concerts countrywide featuring music written
for Pete and classical artists by Mekaal. Pete
Lockett has been featured on tour and on records
by Peter Gabriel, Bjork, Robert Plant, Simply Red,
Afro-Celt Sound System and many others as well as
on Hollywood movies such as the 2 James Bond
movies, "Tomorrow Never Dies", "The World Is Not
Enough", as well as "The Bone Collector" and "The
City of Angels". The music played in these
concerts was a unique experience for all as this
was the first time in the history of live
performances in Pakistan, that material written by
a Pakistani musician for foreign artists was used.
Following the artistic and public acclaim that the
music received, Mekaal decided to continue writing
music which would feature different classical and
experimental artists who could contribute to the
progressive and bold nature of the music that MHB
plays - which is a fusion between the melodic
sensibility of the East and the harmonic
sophistication of the West. Mekaal Hasan Band
features the artistry of musicians from Pakistan
and abroad, and with fellow bandmates Javed
Bashir on vocals and Mohd. Ahsan Papu on flute,
The Mekaal Hasan Band is continuing to explore
this exciting blend of East and West, in a series
of live performances, studio recordings and videos
that are drawing music enthusiasts in large
numbers. |
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The
tunes on Sampooran were written incorporating
traditional material from the eastern classical
tradition and adapting these with music which
was based on the jazz rock fusion explosion of
the seventies. To this end, the album features
two Shah Hussain Kaafi's, Raba and Sajan , two
traditional classical ragas, Ya Ali, associated
with Ustad Salamat Ali Khan and composed for the
most part,in Raag Verag Todi, along with Raag
Darbari (Yaray Mun Biya Biya), which is most closely
associated with Ustad Amir Ali Khan Sahib of Indore.
The great poetess Amrita Pretum, is paid a loving
tribute by a unique rendition of Waris Shah, set
in Raag Mehg.
Raag Charokashi, is featured in two tracks, namely
the instrumental Late Moon and the tune Sanwal,
which features lyrics by Farhat Abbass Shah. Finally,
the title track, Sampooran is written in Raag
Aiman, and incorporates the progressive nature
of this band by moving through a few time signatures
and themes before resolving to its main melody
which each soloist uses as a cue for the start
and end of his solo. |
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Sajan |
Sajan
Day Huth Baan Assadi
Key Ker Aakhan Chad Way Adia
Raat
Anairey Badal Kanian
Baaj Wakeelan Mushkil Banian
Dahday Kita Sud Way Adia
Kay Ker Aakhan Chad Way Adian
Nith
Bhurnay Chutya
Eik Din Ja Sain Chad Wairia
Kahay Hussain Fakeer Sain Da
Nain Naina Naal Gud Way Aria
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Waris
Shah |
Aj Aakhan Waris Shah Nou
Kithoun Kabran Wichoun Bol
Kay Aj Kitab Ishq Di Da
Koi Agla Warqa Phol
Uth
Durd Munda Dia Durd Dia
Uth Tuk Apna Punjab
Aj Bailay Lashan Vishian
Tay Lou Di Pari Chenab
Jithay
Wajdi Si Phook Piyaar Di
Ao Wanjali Gai Gavach
Ranjay Day Sabay Vair
Aj Phul Gayay Uss Di Jach
Dhurti
Tay Lou Vichia
Kabran Piyaan Choun
Preet Diyan Shehzadian
Aj Wich Mazaran Roun
Aj
Sabay Kaido Bun Gayay
Husan Ishq Day Chor
Aj Kithoun Lay Aiyay _ Lub Kay
Waris Shah Eik Hor |
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Raba |
Raba Mairay Haal Da Mehrum Toun
Ander
Tow Hai Bahir Toun Hai
Roam Roam Wich Toun
Raba Mairay Haal Da Mehrum Toun
Toun
Hi Tana, Toun Hi Bana
Main Naahein Sub Toun
Raba Mairay Haal Da Mehrum Toun
Kahay
Hussain Fakeer Sain Da
Main Nahein Sub Toun
Raba Mairay Haal Da Mehrum Toun
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Sanwal |
Kabhi
Aa Mil Sanwal Yaar Way
Mairay Lou Lou Cheikh Pukaar Way
Meri Jindhri Hui Uddas Way
Maira Sanwal Aas Na Paas Way
Mughay Milay Na Chaar Ka Haar Way
Tujh
Hurjai Ki Bahoun Main
Aur Piyaar Preet Ki Rahoun Main
Main Tow Bethi Sub Kuch Haar Way
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Darbari |
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Yaaray
Mun Bia Bia, Yaray Mun Bia
Day Ray Na Tum Ta Na Na Tum Ta Na Na Na
Yaaray Mun Bia Bia, Yaaray Mun Bia
Balabum Raseeda Janum
Tu Bia Kay Zinda Manum
Pus Aza Kay Mun Na Manum
Pa-Chakaray Khali Aamun
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Sampooran |
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Ay Ri Ay Ri Aali Piya Bin
Piya Bin Mohay Naahein
Chain Na Aaey
Aali Aali Piya Bin
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Ya
Ali |
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Ya Ali Mushkil Kusha
Mushkil Kusha Ki Jiyay
Ghareeb
Jaan Keh Har Aik Ne Mujh Ko
Taal Diyaa
Tum Apnay Dar Se Na Taalo Mujhey
Ghareeb Nawaz
Gar
Tum Karo Gay To Karam Kon
Karey Ga
GarTum Na Sunno Gay To Meri Kon
Sunay Ga |
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