Coke Studio journeys through time with episode three, presenting genres and artists that cover a cross section of music that is representative of generations of listeners. Through a set of performances it outlines a history – presenting samples of music that capture the essence of an era – from the diversity of music that defines the present to flavours from the recent history of contemporary music and on to the sounds that are a part of our heritage.
Tracing the inspiration of some of today’s music back to an ancient source, the Episode begins with Mole’s “Baageshri” - an experimental fusion track that defies labeling by conventional genre. The band utilizes modern tools of technology side by side with familiar instruments both modern and traditional to achieve a sound that is uniquely fresh.
Next, Sanam Marvi embraces the deeply spiritual poetry of Sachal Sarmast as she takes centre stage at Coke Studio with “Ith Naheen”. The musical arrangement has an ambient lounge feel and provides the perfect foil for this complex composition. The overall effect, crafted in the manner of a sound-scape, keeps the focus on Marvi as she projects the force of the powerful verses through her expression, diction and delivery.
Episode 3 continues with Bilal Khan’s “Lamha” - a dark, brooding song that expresses, both lyrically and musically, an emotional response to loss. The pronounced dholak groove rises with the song’s emotional temperature, building up to a dhamaal-like fervor that remains appropriately unresolved to the end.
Jal returns to Coke Studio in Episode 3 with an experimental version of “Panchi”, a popular song from Jal’s first album. The band collaborates with promising new singer Quratulain Baloch as they take a nostalgic trip down memory lane to Jal’s very first encounter with fusion – “Tere Ishq Mein jo bhi Doob Gaya”.
Following a path that began with “Sighra Aaween Saanwal Yaar” in Episode 1 and continued in Episode 2 with “Kanga”, Episode 3 presents a fusion performance by one of the custodians of the ancient art-form of eastern classical music – Ustaad Naseer-ud-din Saami. “Mundari” is a classical piece in the raag, Adana – a raag that is known to have the effect of holding a listener captive by its beauty and for the bitter-sweet emotion that it can invoke. This rendition is an imaginative and creative performance by Ustaad Saami and contains some skillfully executed improvisation. Coke Studio makes this experimental attempt at combining Eastern classical music with Western accompaniment with minimal constraint on the creative liberty of Ustaad Saami and a respectful adherence to the requirements of the art-form.
As Coke Studio crosses the half-way mark of the season’s musical journey the boundaries of fusion recede to afford a clear insight into our musical past and a glimpse of the unlimited possibilities ahead.
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