Episode 2 of Coke Studio Season 10 features mega stars and memorable songs

Karachi, August 17, 2017: After setting the mood for its milestone 10th season with the first episode last week, Coke Studio builds up the excitement further in episode 2 by featuring mega music stars like Ali Hamza, Ali Noor, Ali Zafar, Qurat-ul-Ain Balouch, Rahat Fateh Ali and Salman Ahmed, along with rising new stars, Ali Sethi, Jaffar Zaidi and Waqar Ehsin.

In line with Season 10’s concept of each episode featuring a tribute song, episode 2 features Jaan-e-Bahaaraan by Ali Zafar, as the tribute song to renowned music composer Master Inayat Hussain, who passed away in 1993. Master Inayat had composed the music to the original version of this song, the lyrics of which were written by Tanveer Naqvi. For episode 2 of Season 10, Shuja Haider has directed the music with the re-imagination of the song staying true to the theatrical and dramatic nature of Pakistani film music, while Spanish musical motifs in its styling has been subtly infused. Ali Zafar proves himself as the perfect cast for the roll of a love-struck beau with his captivating vocals and pronounced stage presence. As Zafar convincingly professes his devotion and adoration for his Jaan-e-Baahaaraan, a powerful string section packed with a punch of percussions serves as the perfect backdrop for this ditty.

The other three songs featured in Episode 2 are Tinak Dhin by Ali Sethi, Ali Hamza and Waqar Ehsin
Faasle by Jaffer Zaidi and Qurat-ul-Ain Balouch, and Sayonee, rendered by the immensely formidable combination of Rahat Fateh Ali, Ali Noor and Salman Ahmed, the founder of the Junoon band, which originally released this song in April 1997.

Speaking about how it feels to bring back Sayonee onto Coke Studio, the biggest musical platform that Pakistan has, Salman Ahmed stated, “What I did not want to do was to rehash a hit song. It had to have an organic feel to it. This is the 20th anniversary of the song. The two connections I have with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Ali Noor, one is when I was playing with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Sahab, Rahat was sitting on my left, and to see that journey, to be so inspired by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Sahab and write this song ‘Sayonee’ because of the music that he inspired me with and then today singing it with Rahat. And twenty years back, Ali Noor and I connected; he also sang a Junoon song, Ghoom Tana. And so him coming, bringing this rock presence into it. And the entire Coke Studio band; I was in a state of mystical ecstasy. Main ghoom raha tha bilkul!”

This episode is thus a heady mix of highly memorable songs and some of the biggest names in Pakistan’s music industry, and is sure to generate huge excitement in Coke Studio fans, both in Pakistan and across the world.

Faasle

 Produced & Directed by Strings

Music Directed by Jaffer Zaidi

Composed by Jaffer Zaidi

Lyrics by Jaffer Zaidi

 A masterfully produced ballad, Faasle is a powerful tale of unrequited love. The signature Kaavish sound is etched onto every microtone of the arrangement with Jaffer Zaidi’s sonorous, melancholic vocals and Maaz Maudood’s soul-stirring guitar tones. Alongside the duo, shining through the musical landscape of the song, Quratulain Balouch uncovers previously unchartered territory as her textured, emotive vocals seasons the song into one of the sweetest manifestation of heartbreak and loss. Floating on a cushion of warm, layered keys and nostalgic backing vocals, Faasle is an ode to love found and love lost.

Jaan-e-Bahaaraan

Produced & Directed by Strings

Music Directed by Shuja Haider

Originally Composed by Master Inayat Hussain

Lyrics by Tanveer Naqvi

Weaving a spell to ensnare the listener, Shuja Haider returns with a tribute to the legendary film music director, Master Inayat Hussain. The reimagination of the song stays true to the theatrical and dramatic nature of Pakistani film music and infuses Spanish musical motifs in it’s stylings. Ali Zafar proves himself as the perfect cast for the roll of a love-struck beau with his captivating vocals and pronounced stage presence. As Zafar convincingly professes his devotion and adoration for his Jaan-e-Baahaaraan, a powerful string section packed with a punch of percussions serves as the perfect backdrop for this ditty.

 Sayonee

 Produced & Directed by Strings

Music Directed by Salman Ahmad

Composed by Salman Ahmad

Lyrics by Sabir Zafar & Shah Hussain

 With the emblematic Sufi rock sound that shook South Asia, Sayonee marks the debut of Salman Ahmad as a music director and featured artist on Coke Studio. The resonant depth of Ali Noor’s voice juxtaposed with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s classically-nurtured, incredible range makes for a behemoth line-up that is bespeckled with nostalgia. Complete with the iconic bassline that defined a generation of Pakistani music, the song is given a new life with the decadence of the rubab, magical inserts of the flute and a hard-hitting percussive body. Filled with musical surprises, Salman Ahmad leads his bespoke ensemble through a journey of crescendos, jugalbandis and spirituality.

 Tinak Dhin

 Produced & Directed by Strings

Music Directed by Ali Hamza

Composed by Ali Hamza

Lyrics by Ali Hamza

An original folk-centric number, Tinak Dhin depicts the rhythm of the life, both lyrically and musically. Ali Hamza’s debut as a music director on Coke Studio proves to be an audio-visual feast as we see a power trio take the stage. The energy of three unique voices comes together in a confluence of energy; Hamza’s smoky voice, Sethi’s charming finesse and Ehsin’s textured versatility merge upon the playful, low-ends of the kanjira, upbeat mandolin and crisp sitar to create an exciting score for the hopeful.