Label - Music Today

Artist – Shafqat Amanat Ali

The first track of the album - Main Nai Jaana Kherheyan De Naal starts with a drama building guitar volume trick - a premier track and one of the best from the album, the song is based around Heer-Ranjha the famous lovers.Shafqat Amanat Ali is successful in igniting the sentiments of the lovers - one should hear this song for Shafqat's vocal improvisations and clever use of percussions and beats. The famous Pakistani singer Tufail Niazi had earlier sung this original traditional folk, however, Shafquat borrowed one line 'Khairheyan de naal' from the song and wrote and composed the rest – well sung and beautifully arranged.

The second track Din Mein Na Soyein Bairi has guitar wah-wahs fused with classical music giving the song a 'popular' feel. Originally, the song was a Punjabi composition, but Shafqat composed & sang it in Urdu. This one is peppier than the earlier track.

Dum Ali Ali... Mast Qalandar has been sung by many artistes including the highly revered Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Though the song has been rendered by countless artistes the challenge lies in building up the energy as the song furthers – Shafqat's voice does that magic quite well.

The fourth track Mohe Apne Hi Rang Mein Rang Le is a very popular qawwali of the famous poet Ameer Khusro. But Shafqat has composed and arranged this song with a pinch of Jazz giving it a softer and more romantic whispering tone. The intro of the song has a mariachi feel, but wait till Shafqat starts with his instrument – his vocals. This is one of those songs which instantly grows on the listeners. Check out the prominently sounding Kanjira on this song –an interesting combination. In an interview , when I quizzed Shafqat about what he was thinking when he rendered this romantic number, he said , "I was thinking of myself with someone special on a Gondola in Venice". The song surely emotes this well – I bet you'll lose yourself to this in seconds.

The fifth track Aawo Saiyyo is a very poetry by Baba Bulleh Shah. Originally composed in raag Bhairavi and taal Mughlai ( seven beats), this kalaam has been sung several times by many artistes. But Shafqat Amanat Ali has deviated from the original route of the tracks and composed it in eight beats, thus giving the track a new flavor.

The sixth track of the album Pagalpan was inspired from a Sindhi folk. Shafqat wrote the lyrics keeping in mind the original feel of the Sindhi folk, which is clearly witnessed and well complimented by the melody. This one has a Jazz/Pop feel to it, with prominent bass line and groovy effects. The philosophical lyrics do the rest of the magic.

The seventh track of the album O Jindhri Bujhi O Yaar Sajan (Rohi) is a very old Kaafi sung by famous Pakistani Sufi singer Zaahida Parveen. Shafqat made few changes in it & made the sound absolutely contemporary, thus showcasing a beautiful side of the track.

The eight track of the album Kuchh Ajab Khel is a very old Patiala Gharana asthai, sung by Shafqat's father Ustad Amanat Ali Khan and uncle Ustad Fateh Ali Khan. He has extended the asthai to complete the song followed by his spellbound singing. This song will probably remind you about Manna Dey's Jhanak Jhanak Tori Baaje Payaliya or other songs based on the same Raag. Shafqat delivers this with a punch.

The concluding track of the album Ya Ali is a mesmerizing number, which as per the artiste 'came straight from his heart'. Hear this song for Shafqats vocal highs and lows - In one word 'soothing'.

A man of few words, Shafqat has taken a new leap with 'Tabeer'. He's blessed with a voice which can effortlessly render both commercial and classical numbers. 'Tabeer's music is of the kind which a music lover will instantly connect to.