Experience OPRČ

By: Afsheen
(Exclusively for PakistaniMusic.com)

Being an avid listener of Pakistani pop music since its inception, I must say that in the past ten years bands like Junoon, Vital Signs, Awaz, and solo singers like Ali Haider, Shehzad Roy, and various others have exhibited their talents creating stepping stones for the rookies to follow. Most of these new comers  followed their veteran coaches, but then there were some that tried to be unique and distinctive with their music. They either presented complete balderdash or supererogated their way to stand head to head with the fathers of Pakistani pop music. Surely there were either winners or losers, but all in all, it was the hard work and persistence that helped most of the beginners entering the pop music world reach success. 

Three years ago, I came across Oprč, a Houston based band. They were caught amidst the hustle for recognition and acceptance in the international world of music and also the Paki pop music world. They did not relinquish their hope to reach the masses with what they had in store.  By overthrowing their nooks and crannies, they continued to refine their music. With unlimited support of their executive producer Faisal Afzaal, and their manager Sajid Kazmi, Oprč finally achieved their ultimate dream. Long and behold, on February 14, 1998, Oprč's magnum opus, Suraagh, was released in the United States of America.

Oprč is a name beyond comprehension to the majority, but after interrogation, I was told, "O.P.R.E. stands for Order to the Peoples' Rock Empire, or it can also mean beyond insanity, or beyond Junoon! ;)"  Oprč is comprised of:

Shahid Kazmi - Lead & Backing Vocals, Keyboards, Drum Tracks & Percussions
Omran “Momo” Shafique - Lead, Acoustic & Bass Guitars & Backing Vocals
Saqib “Saks” Najmi - Rhythm & Lead Guitars & Backing Vocals.

Their music is distinctive and it is a collaborative manifestation of self-effacing boundaries of the east and the west. They surely have not limited their music to one familiar rut.  Instead, it is invigorating, vigorous, and a breath of fresh air!
Suraagh commences with a catchy tune, Dorke. It goes something like "meray paas aa dorke, yoonh na tarpao mujhey," and you can sense the elaborated cut to the chase attitude that will certainly entice and excite you. The next song, Jalte Parcham, is the so-called 'required  social awareness' fulfillment of every Pakistani pop music album, but wait, I mean it in a positive way. Tera Naam follows, and this is the song filled with enlivened soft hearted sensitivity of an infatuated 'pagal' soul aspiring to cherish that special someone. The lyrics are harmonious, and Momo rejuvenates us with his guitar proficiency.  The magical forces behind the music lured me to push the REPEAT button and after two hours and thirty-two minutes, I was singing each and every word along. Yes, it is one of those songs that will make it to your all time favorite hits list!  And, even though I didn't want to, I moved on to the next song saying to myself, “baad mein aur suneingey!” The next song, Anjaani Raahein, blew my mind. I said “Oh God, ZZ TOPPPP ki tarah!! magar nahee, these fine guys dont have the baree baree daarhee.” On this convincing note, I ignored the resemblance in the music, and ended up head banging and air guitaring with Momo. His superb guitar work is noteworthy not only in this song, but also throughout the album.  After that short workout session on Anjani Raahein, Raat Bheegi followed. This subtler soothing sound is built on layers of acoustic with engaging and mesmerizing lyrics. I relaxed and just stared into the background. The title song Suraagh is very efficacious in terms of the alluring lyrics and the mysterious music. It goes like “Kahee nahee hai lahoo ka yeh suraagh.” In this number, Oprč successfully epitomize why their album has been titled ‘Suraagh’ instead of the very commercial boring titles like ‘Haseen Larki’ or ‘Udaasiyat’ or the repeatedly used ‘Pyar 98’...Eyoh gross!!  The next number ‘Mera Dil’ is a remix of Shahid’s 1994 single. This one sounds much better and is totally groovy baby!  ‘Zinda Laash’ is where Saks totally shows off his extraordinary guitar skills. And you know what, this number has been recorded on 124 tracks! Zinda Laash will become a favorite of all of you who are “truly, madly, deeply” wanting to be with that someone particular in your life. The next tune, Pyar is a pleasing nostalgic, sentimental blend, and this is the aria that each and everyone of you will end up singing or e-mailing to your loved one. And sunney ke baad, “tab yeh baat samjho gey ke kiya hota hai pyar.” The album’s grand finale Nitt Khair is a recomposition of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan marhoom’s hit. The traditional tabla beats have been well incorporated with the more modern sonics. This song is a tribute to the legendary maestro, NFAK. What a way to wind up the album!

This enjoyable collaboration of the tunes of the east and the west is beyond expectations. Oprč is the first international band to record in the US of A and Suraagh happens to be the most expensive Pakistani album released. Their US tour is scheduled in either March or April and we all will soon see these hotties in action in their upcoming video of Tera Naam.

The streamlined drumbeats, Momo’s and Saks’ sensational speaker ripping guitars, exquisitely crafted lyrics, and Shahid’s almost impeccable vocals make Suraagh the breakthrough album of 1998.

"Suragh" - a Review of Oprč's Debut Album

by Al-Harafish

Hybrid sounds, a fusion of East and West, resulting in a unique soun...No this is not Junoon this time - they are the trio called Oprč. Oprč is the new underground Paki-rock band who released their debut album titled ‘Suragh’ on February the 14^th (1998) in Houston, Texas.

Oprč was founded in Texas by Shahid Kazmi (of Mera Dil fame : Music Channel Vol. 3), Saqib-Bin-Ishrat and Omran Shafique. Shahid is a talented keyboards player and the lead vocalist of the band. He already has a hit-number under his belt but he switched from pop to rock since then. Saqib is a very talented guitarist who draws his influences from various guitar disciplines. Omran is a highly skillful, innovative and extremely talented guitarist and a musician who started his career with a local American band, "Drench" in Texas.

The album, with a running time of 55:52 and ten songs, is an interesting amalgam of influences, each song paying homage to different musical genres, from rock to pop to country to filmi to grunge to ad-infinitum. The musicianship is passable on this album, although there is a potential for a lot more. Sound quality is excellent and definitely is a cut above the normal run-of-the-mill Pakistani pop bands. The album was recorded in Houston at the reputed Sunrise Sound Studios (King’s X and Galactic Cowboys have recorded their albums at this studio).

The title track Suragh is a heavy grunge 12 string based song which stands out as the best number in the album and arguably the best heavy number in the Pakistani rock scene at the moment. The lyrics are driven from Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s "Lahoo Ka Surag". "Jalte Parcham" is a patriotic song with a touch of tabla and well executed chorus - the song depicts the violence and dirty politics in Pakistan. "Zinda Laash" with excellent guitars and keyboard based orchestration leaves an impression but the song has its shortcomings on the lyrics. "Mera Dil" is a remixed number with a very heavy bass and wah-guitar effects it is bound to be a hit with a lot of appeal for paki-pop fans. "Tera Naam" has a touch of American country music, and "Anjani Rahen" is a pure rock n’ roll song. The other numbers are "Raat Bheegi" (acoustic), "Pyar" (kind of a filmi song) and "Nit Khir" (remake of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's "Nit Khir Mangan"). With a strong bass, drums and 12 string acoustic rhythms the sound of this album is quite unique.

Oprč have performed live in numerous U.S. cities in the past, notably with Junoon in Washington and Houston and currently they are planning a world tour in the summer of this year ('98). Suragh is a good measuring yard-stick of Oprč's talent, and although they have a few shortcomings in the album, the band promises the formation of a new power house in Pakistani music.