Junoon

Artiste In Focus:
At present, dubbed as the 'Best Music Group' in Pakistan, this 3 man band has goven a whole new meaning to the word 'Rock 'n Roll'. Although the band disagrees, Junoon has been labelled as a 'sufi rock band' by the media, due to their numerous, electrifying hits from Inquilaab and Azadi which took upon a peculiar, sufi style of music.

 

Contact: Mailing Address: Junoon Fan Club, Sidco Avenue Center, # 10/2 Tower A, Strachen Road, Karachi - 7400, Pakistan Tel Number: +92-21 565-1520 Official Junoon website: http://www.junoon.com

Band Members: Salman Ahmad - Electric, Acoustic Guitars & Backing Vocals Ali Azmat - Lead and Backing Vocals Brian O'Connell - Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Tambourine & Backing Vocals

Click Here for Songs by Junoon

Album Name	Comments
Junoon	The first album made quite an impression with the masses - songs such as Chori Chori, Neend Aati Nahein and Khwaab were a few of the best songs from this collection.
Talaash	This second compilation proved to be a great hit with songs such as Talaash, Bheegi Yaadein, and Nai Heeray. It was probably this album that really helped Junoon achieve the success they have today.
Inquilaab	The third album seemed to be a little more spiritual than the previous ones. This album consisted of the national anthem being played on an electric guitar (sort of like what Jimmy Hendrix did), and became quite a hit when sold with the famous Cricket World Cup song Jazba-e-Junoon included as a bonus track. Other hits which were included in this collection were Mera Mahi, Husan Walo and Saeein.
Kash ma Kash - the best of Junoon	The fourth collection in the series basically consisted of 10 of 'the greatest' hits Junoon has produced, along with 2 new songs, Ehtesaab and Mujhe Insaaf Do. Ehtessab is Junoon's way of calling out for accountability (which suddenly has become a very important issue in Pakistan), and Mujhe Insaaf Do, in Ali Azmat's voice, is a sort of a 'ghazal-like number' pleading with the government to provide justice.
Azadi	The fifth album was named after Pakistan's 50 years of Independence, and was dedicated to the memory of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. The majority of the songs were typical 'Junoon stuff', with hard rock fused with the familiar sounds of the tabla , and Salman Ahmad's electric guitar. The more popular tracks were Khudi (Junoon's version of the immensely popular poem by Allama Iqbal), Yar Bina, Jugal Bandi (an 'extension' of Junoon's earlier chart topper, Aap Aur Hum) and Lal Meri Pat (the extremely popular religious song, sung by various artistes in the past).
Parvaaz	After their Azadi the trio entered into the next phase of their journey: the Parvaaz. Dedicated to the 17th century sufi poet, Baba Bulleh Shah, this compilation comes complete with old, classical renditions fused Junoon-style. Azmat's voice along with Ahmad and O'Connell on strings brings together a brand new slate of tracks ready to be discovered. Bulleya ignites the album and promises to rule the charts. Other explosive and must-listen-to tracks: Ghoom, Sajna, Ab To Jaag and Aleph.
The Millenium Edition (1990 - 2000)	Released in 2000, this album took the listener back to the decade that was Junoon. Most songs were hits from previous albums. Azadi (title song for the highly-acclaimed film Jinnah) along with live versions of Lal Meri Pat and Allah Hoo made this album an absolute necessity for any fan.
Ishq	Mind boggling. Trend-setting. Trend-changing. Just a few of the phrases that come to mind when one listens to this album. A complete revival of the trio, worlds apart from their previous albums, but yet distinctly 'Junoon'. Ishq is set to conquer the charts: Saqi Nama (originally written by Allama Iqbal), Shaamain, Ishq and Dharti Kay Khuda are already destined to be number ones. After having reached the peak, only this comes to mind: Where do they go from here?
Daur-e-Junoon	This album provided the answer to the question Ishq proposed (above). Featuring live renditions of some of their most popular hits, Junoon has again out-classed itself with this latest release. Especially well-performed and must-listen-to's are the live versions of Ne Heeray, Saeein and Dosti, and the new tracks, Gharaj Baras and Pyaar Heh Zindagi. Excerpt from Jang: "Daur-e-Junoon is the first-ever Pakistani live rock album featuring the group's hits recorded live around the world, from North America to Europe, including the performances at the United Nations, the Roskilde Festival in Denmark, and many more."
Dewaar	Although the Urdu word Dewaar translates to 'wall', in terms of Junoon's music it clearly means different. Point in case: keyboards and samples have been used, Salman Ahmed sings a few numbers (Balama, Hungama and Khwab 2003) and the rhythm of the album is decidedly non-Sufi rock. Time will only tell how the real Junoonis will react to this new release, and the following tracks will influence their decision: Ghoom Taana, Balama and Pappu Yaar.