Azadi

Year 1997. Album Azadi. Band Junoon. Mega Success.
Azadi is Junoon's fifth album, which had all the ingredients for an instant hit. This diverse and culturally influenced band managed to evoke a warm response from fans and critics alike. The album features 12 superb tracks, each song truly a masterpiece. The success of the album can easily be judged by the fact that Junoon received a golden disc for this album.
"Khudi" is a poem written by renowned poet Allama Iqbal, and vocalist Ali Azmat has done full justice with it in transforming it into a song, which he has sung with so much passion that the listeners are transported to another world that brims with optimism and wisdom. Although penned down decades and decades ago, "Khudi" has been delivered with a truly modern approach to music.
"Wahda Hoo la Shareek a la Ho" is a mystical number that reinforces their reins on "Sufi-rock." The song easily has the desired effect on the audience: inspiring, fascinating, and bewitching. "Mahiwal" is a song based on romantic legends Sohni and Mahiwal. In it, dedicated Sohni tries to deliver her message of fervor and yearning for her fate across the river. Such is the strength of Azmat's voice that one can't help but empathize with Sohni. "Sayonee" is another magnificent composition and truly one of the many highlights of the album. The single remained at the number one slot in Pakistan as well as in India for several weeks. The lyrics hold a lot of depth and meaning, and the song once again helps elevate the listeners into the summit of spirituality. The lyrics, vocals, and the entire composition as a whole will continue to haunt you long after you've heard it, and will make you want to return to listen to it again and again.
If you've never known a restless lover's feelings when distances force two souls apart, "Yaar Bina" is a song to be heard. Notice that the guitar rhythm is the same throughout the composition. The simple guitar tune, the ever-present effect of the dholak, Azmat's passionate voice, and, on the whole, a thoughtfully composed song that stirs your emotions, makes it a definite treat to the ears.
What would you get if you combined music using electric, acoustic, bass guitar, and dholak? "Heer" -- a fantastic instrumental musical piece. If you've heard of the story of Heer and Ranjha, you wouldn't help but simply marvel at the manner in which this truly remarkable band has conveyed the Heer Ranjha love epic in an instrumental musical composition. Starting with slow, melodious, tranquil music, indicating the blooming of love, to the rising, faster musical tempo implying the tension, the heartbreak, the separation -- you will be left enthralled, as though you've been there and felt all, as a silent observer. "Loshay Loshay" is a patriotic number based on a Pushto folk tune. The music has a fast tempo to it but breaks in to bits of slower tunes at regular intervals. Once again, through this song, Junoon demonstrates their passion for their country, Pakistan.
"Lal Meri Pat" is an old traditional song revisited by Junoon. Ustad Aashiq Ali, Junoon's tabla player, captivates the audience with his expertise with the tabla, which contributes greatly to further enliven this terrific number. This is one of those songs that will not only get you on your toes, but will also create such a magic that you will be swayed into another world, freeing you from worldly bothers of the present world. Just listen to the song and unwind.
Azadi is one of those albums everyone should have a copy of. The album will enchant you with its musical diversity that perhaps accounts for Junoon's eastern and western appeal. Full of zest, zeal, and enthusiasm, this album definitely rocks! ~ Maliha Ahmed Khan