Junoon’s Azadi

While Inquilaab had announced Junoon as a band of serious musicians, having people stop and notice them, it wasn’t until Azadi that they became a sensation both this side of the border and around the world. The album features the now legendary line up of singer/guitarist Salman Ahmad, vocalist Ali Azmat & bassist Brian O’ Connell. 

The album bursts open with the band’s biggest single till date Sayonee. The guitar intro and strumming against the tabla gives a beautiful contrast between the western and the eastern. The vocals are powerful and manage to portray the pain and suffering penned down in the lyrics. 

Junoon was noted well for their outcry against injustice especially in their own country. Meri Awaaz Suno is a good example of that, again in which Ali brings out the most of the simple lyrics and makes them more effective. Salman’s solos are reminiscent of his hero Jimmy Page fused with the 90’s rock sound. Close on the song’s heel is the high energy Allama Iqbal poem Khudi. One has to really let loose and get lost in the rhyme and melody to truly enjoy this one. 

Yaar Bina is Junoon’s way of expressing the pain of begin separated from a loved one. An interesting relief from the usual self sympathizing sobers. Mukh Gae really brings out the emotions both vocally and through the fret board, which provides a nice foundation for the instrumental piece Heer. 

The album is really absorbing as it goes through so many different moods. Kyu Parishan is nice a song but may seem to lack some fizz only when set against the high standards set by the band itself. Mahiwal sees the band picking up pace again. Tabla player Azam needs special mention here for doing an excellent job backing Salman’s bluesy fills. 

Kisne Suna displays Salman’s ability to avoid getting stale to quick and keep things interesting. Azam (tabla) again needs a standing ovation as compensation to percussionists who often get lost in the crowd. Lal Meri Pat is a traditional song by the great Ustad Ashiq Ali. Just like their brothers across the border Indian Ocean, Junoon too picked up old numbers from the rusting shelves and made them their own. 

Dil Nahi Lag Raha is the band’s unsuccessful take in doing a bluesy urdu number. Probably a second thought would have been good. Loishay is a patriotic song, one of the many the band did. This element of patriotism helped the band get the elevation they needed to reach the top. 

Azadi is a fantastic album which should appeal to people who are open minded about their music. In fact, the band brings in so many different sources of music together that it already lends a vast spectrum for the aural faculties. Salman, Ali, Brian and the rest of the lot really put in a lot of work into this album which is clearly evident by the result. A necessity for any music lovers collection.