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Paki-Rock `Fuzon'
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After Junoon, Strings, and more recently, Xenia, another band from across the border, is making waves...
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THE LATE Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan kick-started the trend, that was followed by artistes such as Haider Ali, Xenia, and the duo of Strings. Pakistani music acts have been well appreciated and accepted in the Indian music scene, for their superior music quality. Apart from Xenia and the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, most bands have a strong rock influence on their music. Now, another band that fuses rock with their unique blend of music has hit the music stores across the country.
Fuzon began in 2001. Shallum (Shallum Asher Xavier) and Immu (Imran Momina) were the founding members, who decided to put their heads together as they realised that their musical ideas and tastes were pretty much the same. The next thing we know is that they created a handful of fusion tracks, the only thing lacking was a quality vocalist who would sing for them. Meanwhile, Shafquat (Shafqat Amanat Ali) had been singing for a few jingles and happened to drop into Immo's recording studio (Oh, yes! he did have one of his own.) for an assignment. Shafquat's vocals impressed the duo, who decided to jam with him, and lo and behold, a unique musical Fuzon was taking shape.
Immu is a multi-dimensional pianist, who had been playing since the age of 13. His flair for arranging his own music and experimenting with melodies made him set up his own little recording and mixing studio, and this is where the jam sessions took place. Having started to play the piano from the age of 9, he shifted tracks and began "worshipping" the guitar, by practising for eight hours a day for three whole days. Playing for quite a few local pop acts, has brought him to the limelight, and he is now getting recognition for his talent. The vocalist Shafquat has a strong foundation in eastern classical music. But during his college days, he was exposed to rock, jazz, and blues, and ended up fusing these genres and singing them. Most of the songs in the album reflect his unique ability to blend the tunes of the sub-continent in a Western style of rendering.
Saagar (Virgin Records; CD; Rs.199, Cassette; Rs. 65) features 12 tracks, each reflecting something unique in the music, with a common strain of rock melodies, blended with Indian classical and folk vocals. Though the opening track "Akhiyaan" has been doing the rounds along the FM stations of the country. The energetic and infectious track that begins with a folk vocal rendering picks up tempo along with some impressive guitar works towards the end, and by that time, you feel like hearing it all over again. "Jhoom Jhoom" would probably be the most energetic fusion track in recent times.
This high-pitched and spirited track talking about rain and happiness, it sort of elevates joy and energises the listener.
"Aankhon Ke Sagar" has a terrific melody — soothing and energising at the same time. The guitar mix of this track is impressive too. "Naadanian" and "Pyar Na Raha" speak of love, and are comparatively slower, but the melodies tend to stay in your minds (and on your lips) for a long time.
The superior vocal quality of Shafquat, and guitar works of Shallum do wonders to the music. In a poll among vocalists of recent bands, one wouldn't be surprised if Shafquat takes the cake.
During these days of musical malnutrition in Indipop, impressive bands like Fuzon provide solace — and hopefully inspire a few Indian bands as well. As they say, music knows no boundaries.
A. VISHNU
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