Inmusic: Spirit of the Studio

By Khaver Siddiqi

Two more episodes than the previous season and nearly twice as many
artistes from last time round, the sheer awe factor of the C-Studio 2
artistes is undeniable. You have to give credit to them for not only
experimenting with their own numbers but tackling new ones, too. The fourth session is titled Spirit and with such acts, it�s obvious why.

Mai Ni Main � Atif Aslam

I can only imagine what was going through Atif�s mind as he sang
this. It would be a daunting task to be in his shoes to cover a song
previously sung by maestros such as Hamid Ali Bela, all the way to
Reshma. Atif flawlessly sang the classic tune and he�s definitely one
CS artiste who continues to shatter people�s perceptions of him.

Bulleya � Riaz Ali Khan

This is probably the most covered Baba Bulleh Shah poem there is and rightfully so, with poignant lyrics and underlying tones.

Like many artistes before him, Riaz Ali Khan makes Bulleya his own.
His voice carries the lyrics and tones, giving them a life of their
own. In addition to the poem, Riaz Ali Khan brings raags of his own
composition within the track � a pleasant addition indeed. One of the
crimson studio�s lighter tracks, definitely pleasant to the ear
whatever the mood.

Chup � Zeb and Haniya

This is the very title track that made them famous, and Zeb and
Haniya once again prove why it was so. Chup isn�t as glorious as
Paimana, however it definitely is groovier thanks to Omran Shafique�s
guitars.

Given the house band talent at their disposal, Zeb and Haniya
could�ve taken the song into a completely different direction, which in
the spirit of the studio would�ve been a pleasant surprise.

Saari Raat � Noori

Noori�s the kind of band that you listen to at full volume. Their
energy is at best obvious and overwhelming � but in good kind of way.
CS gives them a chance to show a much more mellow side to them,
especially Ali Hamza who appears at home and ease at this slow pace.

The other half of the band, Ali Noor, still brings in the loudness
every now and again, but that�s just enough so that you know you�re
listening to Noori.

Mahi Ve � JoSH & Shafqat Amanat Ali

Bhangra songs are quite the acquired taste, you either love them or
love to hate them. This, however, is not a bhangra track at all and
that�s all thanks to Shafqat Amanat Ali�s brilliant contribution to
this track. His powerful raags echo and evoke a completely new feeling
to the track. It�s interesting to hear JoSH change their trademark pace
and shift down to second gear for a change. This is definitely one of
their most pleasant performances yet.

Though the artistes continue to put out some great music, most of
the performances came out with a more �manufactured� or �staged� sound
than the previous season. Perhaps it�s because it was made for a TV
audience rather than a live one � and the change felt from the first
season and the second one is obvious for everyone to hear. And they are
hearing it by the hordes, keeping the spirit of CS alive and well.