The MJ Show #99 (Songs from the Coke Studio Sessions - Season Two)

You saw the awesome Season 1 of the Coke Studio sessions in Episode 98
Now...get ready for something even more awesome.

Here's the official take once again:
This year, after the unprecedented critical acclaim and huge popularity of Season 1, Coke Studio reignites our passion and returns to the heart of the live recording studio with a new artist line up, a different sound, an innovative house band and a brand new set of performances and episodes. This season, Rohail Hyatt’s musical genius draws together the fundamentals of collaborative music that will showcase Pakistan’s rich music culture by stitching into its fabric, traditional artists, folk music influences and regional instruments in collaboration with Pakistan’s contemporary mainstream artists.

Coke Studio’s Season 2 had electrifying performances, surprise collaborations between artists and be part of their interpretation of Pakistani music on a reinvented signature Coke Studio set. Season 2 demonstrates how creative boundaries can be defined, redefined and bridged through musical improvisation reflecting the vibrancy and artistic harmony of Pakistan’s artists. Listen to the plaintive sounds emanating from the mountains and valleys of the Frontier and Baluchistan, reverberating through the rivers of the Punjab and breaking out triumphantly into the sands of Sindh and out across the open seas.

Who is Rohail Hyatt you ask me? Here's the answer...
A Pakistani legend in his own right, Rohail Hyatt is an award winning artist and producer par excellence whose art is in a state of constant dynamism, from his formative years on the 1980’s pop scene, to his leadership of the pioneering band Vital Signs, to his collaborations with icons ranging from Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Ustaad Saami to film-maker Shoaib Mansoor.

This visionary produced the definitive, critically acclaimed and now iconic music project Coke Studio’ in 2008 which captured the essence and nature of the collaborative relationship between eastern and western music in Pakistan.


Basically, he's the man behind Coke Studio!


What I'm going to give you here tonight, are the songs played in the 5 episodes that ran in Season Two of this brilliant show. I hope you love them. I thought that they were absolutely stunning!

Episode One - Individuality
Javed Bashir - Aj Latha Naeeo


Zeb & Haniya - Paimona


Atif Aslam - Jal Pari


Shafqat Amanat Ali - Khamaaj


Saieen Zahoor and Noori - Aik Alif


Episode Two - Harmony
JoSh - Janay Do


Ali Zafar - Dastaan-e-Ishq


Saieen Zahoor - Toomba


Shafqat Amanat Ali - Aankhon Kay Sagar


Atif Aslam & Riaz Ali Khan - Kinara


Episode Three - Equality
Ali Zafar - Yar Daddi


Noori - Jo Meray


JoSh - Bari Barsi


Atif Aslam - Wasta-e-Pyaar Da


Zeb & Haniya and Javed Bashir - Chal Diyay


Episode Four - Spirit
Atif Aslam - Mai Ni Mein


Riaz Ali Khan - Bulleya


Zeb & Haniya - Chup


Noori - Saari Raat


JoSh & Shafqat Amanat Ali - Mahe Ve


Episode Five - Unity
Arieb Azhar - Husnehaqiqi


Strings - Titlian


Zeb & Haniya & Javed Bashir - Rona Chor Dia


Ali Zafar - Nahi Ray Nahi


Shafqat Amanat Ali - Kuch Ajab Khail


Noori - Keedar


Atif Aslam - Humain Kya Hua


Just how brilliant was that eh?! I can't wait for the next season to air!!
Check out: http://www.cokestudio.com.pk for more on this brilliant series!

So then...this was Episode 99!! Next up is the Big 100th Episode.
Like I promised you on twitter. The 100th show is going to be something special! I can't WAIT to get started on it!
I will have a guest host for the 100th show. An extremely talented man...my good friend...Luke Kenny! :)

Right then...it is now time for me to say...take care...and Good Night! :)
This is your Musicman Mihir...signing off!

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The MJ Show #98 (Songs from the Coke Studio Sessions - Season One)

I just tweeted this yesterday:
"Holy SHIT! Every now and then, as a music lover, I chance upon something so spectacular...something so awesome...it makes the jaw drop."
and
"Today' I've found one such thing. It's going to make you melt in your pants if you're a real music lover. Can't wait to share it with you!"

I swear to God! I'm not kidding you. This is so phenomenal...I'm having a musical orgasm of sorts!

Here's the official story:
Coke Studio embodies a musical fusion of exciting elements and diverse influences, ranging from traditional eastern, modern western and regionally inspired music. Bringing alive the magic of live recordings and performances, Coke Studio prides itself on providing a musical platform which bridges barriers, celebrates diversity, encourages unity and instils a sense of Pakistani pride. Coke Studio is an inspired step by Coca-Cola for having created a platform where renowned as well as upcoming and less mainstream musicians from various genres can collaborate musically.

With Season 1, Pakistan witnessed fusion in its natural essence and form combining not only classical eastern and contemporary western style vocals but instruments and musicians. Live collaborations were staged all summer aired every fortnight, on every television screen, simultaneously, across Pakistan.

What I've got for you in tonight's show are the songs from Season 1!!
Here we go!

Episode One - Ali Azmat, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Mauj
Rahat Fathe Ali Khan - Shaman Paiyan


Ali Azmat - Deewana


Mauj - Pahelian


Ali Azmat & Rahat Fateh Ali Khan - Garaj Baras


Ali Azmat & Rahat Fateh Ali Khan - Balaman


Episode Two - Strings, Ustaad Hussain Bakhsh Gullo and Saba & Selina.
Strings - Sar Kiyae


Saba & Selina - I'm In Love


Strings - Anjane


Strings - Zinda


Strings & Ustaad H.B. Gullo - Duur


Episode Three - Ali Zafar, Saeen Tufail Ahmed and Sajid & Zeeshan.
Ali Zafar - Janay Na Koi


Sajid & Zeeshan - My Happiness


Ali Zafar - Chal Dil Meray


Ali Zafar - Channo


Ali Zafar - Rangeen


Ali Zafar & Tufail Ahmed - Allah Hu



Episode Four - All Artists
Rahat Fateh Ali - Dildara


Ali Azmat - Mein Challa


Strings & Ustaad H.B. Gullo - Dhaani


Coke Studio House Band - Flute Jam


How awesome was that eh? Next episode...season 2!! :)
Check out: http://www.cokestudio.com.pk for more on this brilliant series! 

Right then...it is now time for me to say...take care...and Good Night! :)
This is your Musicman Mihir...signing off!

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The MJ Show #46 (Modern Sufi Songs)

As a radio jockey on FM Rainbow, I often had to do an hour of Hindi music. Whenver I got a chance to do that, I would try and avoid playing the regular Bollywood diet. Instead I would try to play Indipop, Indirock and a lot of Sufi/Classical based songs.
Tonight, thanks to a recommendation of one our regular readers/listeners here I have decided to share some of those songs with you.
So these songs are dedicated to Honey Singh aka @midaymasala on twitter who suggested I do this show :)
Here we go...

First up I have a Roop Kumar Rathod sung song from a movie called Anwar.
1st Song - Roop Kumar Rathod - Maula Mere Maula #TheMJshow


Another song I loved from Anwar was this next one.
2nd Song - Kshitij and Shilpa Rao - Javeda Zindagi (Tose Naina Lagey) #TheMJshow

Another reason I loved this song is because it was sung by a girl I've had the pleasure of singing along with on stage. I think she's a fabulous singer and even better human being. Keep a look out for the awesome Shilpa Rao! :)

I've got a brilliant song from a movie called Kalyug coming up next.
3rd Song - Rahat Fateh Ali Khan - Jiya Dhadak Dhadak #TheMJshow


Kailash Kher has had many brilliant songs but this next one is my favourite.
4th Song Kailash Kher - Teri Deewani #TheMJshow


Can't possibly miss out this one can I? This one's for @shubhodeep_pal
Bonus Song - Kailash Kher - Saiyaan #TheMJshow


I remember when this song came out. The good chaps at Sony Music called me over to see the video. The moment I heard the song, I was sold. I knew I wanted to feature it on my show. Brilliant track this. Check it out!
5th Song - Master Saleem - Sajni #TheMJshow


I've loved this next singer ever since I first heard him. This next song was one of my favourites by this legend.
6th Song - Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - Tere Bin Nahi Lagda #TheMJshow


These 2 next songs are two of the biggest reasons I fell in love with Nusrat saheb's music even more. Check them out. If they don't blow your mind, I'll stop putting up these shows :)
(It's a figure of speech incidentally, if you are one of those rare few who don't care about both these songs...tough luck. I ain't stopping sharing these songs!)
Bonus Song - Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Eddie Vedder - Face of Love #TheMJshow


Both these songs are from the soundtrack of
Bonus Song - Eddie Vedder & Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan- The Long Road #TheMJshow


Another song in the "Teri" series albums. This beautiful song was sung by Roop Kumar Rathod.
7th Song - Roop Kumar Rathod - Teri Justajoo (Saware) #TheMJshow


The next song had become a phenomenon of sorts. I think people would still love it a lot had it not been overplayed a lot. Nevertheless I think it was fabulous and here it is...
8th Song - Rabbi Shergill - Bulla Ki Jaana Maen Kaun #TheMJshow


This next song is the first video made by one of my favourite bands of the subcontinent. I had the awesome pleasure of hanging out with them and watching them up close. I have proof that the best musicians and singers are also the most humble. The singer of this band, Javed Bashir is absolutely STUNNING! Never heard them? Lucky you. Here's your first taste then.
And if you're already a fan...you know exactly what I'm talking about! :)
9th Song - Mekaal Hasan Band - Raba #TheMJshow


My favourite song of this genre however is this song by a band that I've had the pleasure of meeting and hanging around with when they released their second album. I'm talking about the brilliant Pakistani band Fuzon (supposed to be pronounced as Fusion not Fu Zon as most people do :) ) This song was when Shafqat Amanat Ali was their singer. I think the entire album "Sagar" was stunning!
10th Song - Fuzon - Mora Saiyan (Khamaj) #TheMJshow


Had to give you one more track by the guys. This one's with their new singer Rameez Mukhtar. Fab song again!
Bonus Track - Fuzon - Neend Na Aye #TheMJshow


Really nice song by A.R.Rahman coming up from the soundtrack of Jodhaa Akhbar.
11th Song - A.R.Rahman - Khwaja Mere Khwaja #TheMJshow


Here's a brilliant song from Delhi 6 which also had music by A.R.Rahman. This one's for Suparna who suggested it :)
12th Song - Javed Ali and Kailash Kher - Arziyaan #TheMJshow


And now...the song that kinda kicked off this genre...or atleast popularized it a LOT. This one's for @soulucky :)
13th Song - Junoon - Sayonee #TheMJshow


I know I've missed out a lot of great songs. I'll have them in a second episode of Sufi songs...but next up, I'll give you my favourite modern songs with a classical background. I think Indian Classical music is possibly the most beautiful things in the world and when fused well with western music...nothing beats it!

Right then...It's time for me to say...take care...and good night. :)
This is your Musicman Mihir...signing off!

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