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Jal (band)

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Jal

Jal (Urdu: جل, literal English translation: "water") is a Pakistani pop/rock band formed in Lahore in 2002. The group was formed by Goher Mumtaz (vocals and guitar) and Atif Aslam (vocals).

They achieved fame with the release of the single "Aadat", after which lead vocalist, Atif Aslam, left the band and was replaced by new vocalist Farhan Saeed and bassist Aamir Sheraz.[1] Their new lineup followed by their debut album, Aadat (2004), which was declared the best selling album of 2004 on Geo TV by the owner of Sadaf Stereo. The band's second album, Boondh (2007), won multiple awards, including the Best Album of the Year Award at the Lux Style Awards in 2008.

The band is among the first of contemporary Pakistani bands that fuse Urdu vocals with modern Pop.

History

Formation and first years (2002–2004)

Jal was formed in Lahore in 2002 when Atif and Goher Mumtaz composed their first song by the name "Aadat". Soon after, began their search for like minded musicians to complete his band. They ran into Shazi (Aamir), a bass guitarist and after a few jamming sessions invited Shazi to join Jal. Jal's first single "Aadat" was released in December, 2003. Before the release of its video "Aadat" was released of the internet through a local Pakistani web portal. The song enjoyed the status of the most downloaded Pakistani song on the internet for quite some time and was extensively popular by the time the video was released.

Directed by Umer Anwar the single burst into the Pakistani music scene and took it by storm. Receiving an amazing amount of air time by all the music channels and entering music charts. The video was rated 4th best video of the year 2003 by ARY The Muzik within days of its release. The success of the "Aadat" can partly be gauged by the countless concert offerers the band received immediately after the release of the song and partly by its rating to date on music channels.[2]

However, by the end of December, 2003 due to musical differences, Atif Aslam parted ways with the band while Goher Mumtaz once again searched for a vocalist. It was then that Sultan Raja, Bassist of Call, introduced Farhan Saeed Butt to Goher and thus Jal found a new voice. By the time Jal came up with their new line-up "Aadat's" video was already doing rounds on the local music channels with the former singer Atif Aslam's vocals. The song was thus re-done for the official release in their debut album Aadat.[1]

Aadat (2004–2006)

Jal released their debut album, "Aadat", which did well at the charts. Their first single "Aadat" topped the charts and stayed at the top for two weeks. Singles from the album were "Panchi", "Bikhra Hoon Main", "Aadat", "Lamhey", "Ik Din Ayega", "Dil Haarey", and "Teri Yaad". Five songs from the album received Top 40 airplay in Pakistan. The title track, "Aadat," was remade for the Bollywood movie Kalyug. Few of the songs from the album, also appeared on Atif Aslam's debut album "Jal Pari" after Atif Aslam left the band. This led to a dispute between Atif Aslam and Jal about who owned the rights to the songs.

Sales of the album were such that it remained at the top of the Pakistani music charts for several weeks after its release. Sadaf Stereo Records, the record company which released the album in Pakistan announced that Aadat was the best selling album of 2004. This was followed by the release of album in India by HOM Records, where it was highly successful too.

In 2006, Jal had created waves as the latest Pakistani band on the block, even as their album Aadat continues to climb the charts locally, and their 2005 track "Woh Lamhe" was a hit, even a year after its release. A remix of the song later appeared in the Bollywood film Zeher.

Boondh (2007–present)

In 2007 Jal released its second music album named "Boondh" and in 2008 released it in Mumbai, India. Goher Mumtaz, the lead guitarist, vocalist-composer and lyricist of the band, narrates how this band was formed.

"I always wanted to have a band of my own and a common friend introduced Farhan Saeed to me. Then we jammed together for five-ten minutes and thereafter we started our performances. We never looked back after 2003 album 'Aadat' was released. Thus, the band was formed, with the name 'JAL'."says Goher

The name suggests that the band is just a small droplet of water in the sea of music. "Boondh" which features Bollywood actress Amrita Rao in one of its music videos has a total of 12 songs, including two unplugged versions and two remixes. Farhan Saeed, the lead vocalist of the band, explained in detail why the album was titled 'Boondh'.

"'Boondh' is not the name of any song in the album, but is basically the theme of the album and covers all the songs in it. The name suggests that we as a band are just like a small droplet of water in the sea of music, which covers Pakistan, Asia and the entire world where our music is heard. It is our small contribution to the sea of music," said Farhan.

This album focuses primarily on the pop and the soft rock genres. The album was followed by a live tour, mainly in South Asia, with concerts all over Pakistan, and a few places in India.

Music style

Jal is fond of Junoon, and is influenced by singers like Hamid Ali Khan and Mehdi Hassan. Jal's sound primarily falls in the Pop/Rock genre. Playing along the lines of Latin-Acoustic guitars, the main emphasis of their music is on the melodies and the lyrical content. Keeping their songs melodious and catchy at the same time the band believes that music is truly the world's universal language capable of bringing our hearts and souls together. A well composed song, personified with honest and heart felt lyrics and spirited rhythms, will eventually be heard by manifestation of emotions expressed in an energetic and harmonious manner. Fueled by the desire to freshen up the Pop/Rock genre in Pakistan these qualities give Jal's music a very high degree of accessibility both in terms of composition and lyrics.

Recent performance-27 dec 2009 JAL for the first time performed in Nagpur at Sri Ramdeobaba Kamla Nehru Engineering College on occation of annual funcion Pratishruti and Silver Jubilee celebration.

29-30 January 2010, Jal is expected to be performing live for the first time in South India in SCMS School of Engineering and technology, Kerala, India.

Discography

Studio albums
DVD's
  • Woh Lamhay (2005)

Band members

Current
Former
Sessional

Awards

  • Within days after release Aadat's video was declared the 4th best video. It remained on the top of the charts for over two weeks since its video release.
  • Jal's single Woh Lamhey broke through to the charts instantly and stayed on the top for two continuous months.
  • Jal's video Ik Din Aye Ga was declared the 2nd best video among the top 100 videos selected by The Musik channel.
  • Jal's debut album Aadat was declared the best selling album of 2004 on Geo TV by Mr. Khalid Sadaf (Owner of Sadaf Stereo).
  • Jal also received a special award by Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital in recognition of their support and efforts to raise funds for fighting cancer in Pakistan.
  • In 2006, Jal won an award at MTV Asia Awards 2006, following an award Indus Music Awards for best rock band in Pakistan.
  • In 2008, Jal won a best song Musik Award for the song Chalte Chalte.
  • In 2008, Jal won a best song award, The Best video and the best album of the year at the Lux Style Awards.
  • In 2009, Jal won a best ballad song award for their song "More Piya" at MTV Asia Awards.

References

  1. ^ a b Jal - Biography Retrieved on August 3 2009.
  2. ^ Pakipop.com, Jal - Profile Retrieved on August 3 2009
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