PakistaniMusic.com: Karavan - En Route To Success

Karavan's first, prominent performance was their opening act for the Channel [V] show in Pakistan, held in April of '97. But that appearance failed to create much of an impression. Their lead man guitarist, Assad, is very candid about that experience, "It was something we'd wanted to do very early on and we did it. Had the sound been better we would haven great." Their stage charisma however, became noticeable with their solo show at the launch of their album, in October of 1997, when the band literally "rocked the crowd". Assad is ecstatic about the experience, "It was one of the best gigs we have ever done individually or together. It rested the fears and misconceptions people had about us."

Assad Ahmed from Karavan

Karavan came into existence with Assad Ahmed quitting Awaz. He had a dream of owning a studio and releasing his own album. Soon, he realized that he had bitten more than he could chew. To settle his troubles, he summoned his best friend bassist Sameer Ahmed, to come to his aid. Tried and true, Sameer lived up to expectations and joined Assad in his project. The collaboration bore fruit with release of Promised Land - An english rock tune. Soon, the need for a vocalist arose, and as Assad puts it each member of Karavan has had "prestigious beginnings". Assad has had stints with Barbarians, Zap, Junoon (which he is not too proud of) and Awaz. Sameer lent his talents on the four strings to Powerhouse, Zzap, Arsh, Junoon, Awaz and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Lahore's prominent pop/rock act, Wet Metal was Najam's training ground. He also leads a very prosperous solo career.

Musical influence for Assad and Sameer border on the obvious: 70's rock bands like Kiss, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith and 90's funk likes Jamiroquoi. Sameer also professes to be a big fan of Police and Sting. The diversity in the band comes from Najam with his taste ranging From Steve Wonder, Garth Brooks and Miami Sound Machine to Led Zeppelin, Queen and Jethro Tull. Blues, Latin music, Jazz and Progressive rock are some of Najam's other musical influences.

The trio - Sameer Ahmed, Assad Ahmed and Najam Shiraz

He finds Karavan's music different from the other bands he ha played with. "They've got a lot of mixture in their music-funk, soul and all that as compared to what I play with Aakash and Ali Haider." About his future with Karavan, Ali Haider and Aakash he says, " I'm still playing with them (Haider and Aakash) but i did not go with them for the tour and neither did Ziyyad (Gulzar). Both of us couldn't make it because we are working people. With Karavan, I don't know about the future." With Assad Ahmed, being a true professional and wanting the best for the band, has formed his own release Label, AA Records. The company has released CDs of the album all over the world. The cassettes have been released only in Pakistan through Visible Changes. While listening to the band's debut album, Rakh Aas, I felt a similarity between Karavan's music and that of Vital Signs' fourth album, Hum Tum. More so because Assad had played with VS in that venture. Assad furiously denies this: "I don't think it sounds anything like Hum Tum. I think, Hum Tum is very watered down, pop music with little guitaring in it. This (Rakh Aas) is more guitar based, very frontal and progressive. It doesn't have the same beat for every song, which the Signs tend to have. It is more daring...adventurous." To prove his point he launches into a detailed description of the songs in the album. "Jhoom is a fun song. It's about losing yourself in music, dancing, going crazy, and having a good Time. Rakh Aas is a hard rocker. Irada is about striving for a better future. Lamha is about struggling. Anmol Zameen is a patriotic number. It's not your regular quami nagma. It's about what we have here, what our land is, and the things we have here. We are just blind to a lot of things this country can offer us."

The future of the band is ensured with repeated orders coming in for their tapes by record stores. The band inspires to release two albums a year. They have already completed making songs for a new album. Without a doubt, Karavan are on their way to carving a niche for themselves in the Pakistani pop music market. Assad says, "and here we are today, pretty content and satisfied. The album's come out and the same people who said we sucked before, now say that we sound great. We've got our vindication."

Karavan's debut album Rakh Aas is a promising take-off point for the talented trio, consisting of Assad Ahmed ( electric and acoustic guitar ), Sameer Ahmed ( bass guitar ) and lead vocalist Najam Shiraz. Their decision to come together and form Karavan was probably the smartest move, for they have a lot of potential to go further and become a premier band in the country.

Their biggest asset is their guitarist Assad Ahmed, who has performed superbly in the tracks Rakh Aas, Bewafa and one of the best numbers, an instrumental titled Why Me? Najam has matured as a singer, especially in songs like Aa Mere Sung and Jhoom Zara Jhoom. His voice is extremely powerful and, unlike other pop singers, he holds his own among a medley of electronic equipment.

From the rock numbers like Aa Mere Sung to the mellow Khushbu to the haunting Aurat you won't be disappointed with the music. However, Aurat's lyrics are slightly incomprehensible and a futile attempt at paying homage to women. It would have been better as an instrumental. True to the tradition of most Pakistani bands, Karavan has also added a nationalistic song to their album, but sadly that is the only downer to the album. Somehow the lyrics to Unmole Zameen don't gel with the music, and it is their most mediocre work to date.

If this album is anything to judge by, then one can expect some more good work from Karavan, who are determined to prove their mettle as one of the best rock bands in the country.