Pakistani rock band Fuzön does exactly what its name suggests – fuses Hindustani classical music with rock and jazz. An awesome blend of eastern and western music, Fuzön was created in 2001 by Shallum Asher Xavier (lead guitar, backing vocals) and Imran Momina (keyboards, backing vocals) with Shafqat Amanat Ali as the lead vocalist.
However, after their successful debut album Sagar (2002, re-released in 2004), Shafqat parted ways with the band to focus on solo projects. Rameez Mukhtar was roped in as the new vocalist for their album Journey (2008). Today let’s take a look at some of Fuzön’s most memorable songs…
10. “Atish O Aab” from Journey
“Atish O Aab” has a stronger rock music feel – thanks to powerful electric guitar arrangement – compared to several of Journey’s other compositions. The use of the flute is a nice addition, and the lyrics are inspirational – “Jo nahin dekha wo khwaab main hoon” (I am the dream which was unseen).
9. “Akhiyaan” from Sagar
“Akhiyaan” gained popularity not only in Pakistan but in India, as well. It’s a catchy Punjabi pop song which also blends classical sangeet elements, revolving around a lover requesting his beloved to not leave him, and that he’d rather have her kill him than turn her face away from him.
8. “Pyar Na Raha” from Sagar
“Pyar Na Raha” is an interesting composition as it explores the corruption of love in today’s times and compares it with the more “pristine” love of Heer-Ranjhaa, Laila-Majnu, Mirza-Sahiban. The song is quite upbeat and is a mish-mash of genres.
7. “Jo Dil Ne Kahaa” from Journey
“Jo Dil Ne Kaha” maintains a much slower, mellow pace, the composition questioning if one’s beloved heard what his heart said. The arrangement of instruments is soft, and the use of the piano and strings is soothing.
6. “Suna Suna” from Journey
“Suna Suna” is memorable mainly due to Rameez’s soft, romantic vocals. A lovely ballad, indeed, with innovative incorporation of strings in addition to the acoustic guitar and keyboard. In an interview Imran Momina revealed, “‘Suna Suna’ and ‘Jo Dil Ne Kaha’ are very close to my heart.”
5. “Malhar” from Sagar
Shafqat totally impresses with back-to-back alaaps in “Malhar,” a song about the rains. The electric guitar is prominent throughout the composition, and the intense, fast-pace alaaps all add to the magical madness of the song.
4. “Neend Na Aaye” from Journey
“Neend Na Aaye” was a very significant composition for Fuzön, since Rameez replaced Shafqat as the vocalist for Journey. In an interview, Imran Momina said, “The success of ‘Neend Na Aaye’ is proof of the fact that people continue to love us.” “Neend Na Aaye” has a nice, soft melody to match Rameez’s delicate vocals. The electric guitar interlude 3.28 into the track stands out, as well.
3. “Madhbanti” from Sagar
The piano is used extensively in “Madhbanti” giving the song another dimension, while the electric guitar gives the composition a darker layer. The song explores the darker side of love and longing. Shafqat, once again, demonstrates he is a talented singer through his classical rendition.
2. “Mora Saiyaan/Khamaaj” from Sagar
A heartfelt ballad rendered the classical sangeet way, “Mora Saiyaan,” also known as “Khamaaj,” was later featured in Nagesh Kukunoor’s film Hyderabad Blues 2 along with “Tere Bina” and an album Aman Ki Asha. The tabla arrangement is superb and Shafqat sings these touching lines very soulfully and convincingly – “Jab hum naa hongey toh piharwaah bolo kyaa tab aaogey?” (When I am no longer in this world, oh beloved, is it then that you will bother come?). A real tear-jerker of a song!
1. “Ankhon Ke Sagar” from Sagar
“Aankhon Ke Sagar” really gave rise to Fuzön’s popularity in Pakistan, and is one of the band’s most popular songs. Shafqat Amanat Ali’s alaaps, vocal timbre, and command over classical music combined with steady percussion arrangements and great electric guitar riffs make this composition a winner. The lyrics are very romantic and sentimental, making “Ankhon Ke Sagar” even more memorable – “Palkon ko aise palkon se chhoo le ke jab dil mile toh manzil mile…Taddapnaa meraa hansnaa teraa, Neendein meri sapnaa teraa” (Let our eyelashes touch in such a way that when our hearts meet we should feel our destinations have met…My longing, your laughing, My sleep, your dream).