Mekaal Hasan Band
Encyclopedia
Mekaal Hasan Band, sometimes shortened to MHB, is a sufi rock
band formed in Lahore
, Punjab
, Pakistan
in 1999 by composer-songwriter, guitarist Mekaal Hasan
. With band members who each have roots in differing genres, including jazz
, classical music
, soul music
, and sufi rock
, the combination of each member has created a sound which has earned them fans from a variety of quarters.
The band achieved mainstream success with its debut album, Sampooran
, released in 2004. Its following studio album, Saptak
, released in 2010 continued the band's success. Mekaal Hasan Band is Pakistan’s most critically acclaimed act as well, winning numerous awards and nominations for it’s recordings, videos and live performances.
Despite being signed to both EMI
and Sadaf Stereo, the band have their own record label, MHB Music, which they use to launch some independent releases and their albums.
, Pakistan
, was surrounded by music since childhood. His father, Masood Hasan, passion for jazz music influenced him throughout his early years. After graduating from Government College
, Lahore
, Mekaal studied music at the Berklee College of Music
, Boston
and his stay there exposed him to a wide variety of music and musicians, many of whom are influences to this day.
He returned to Pakistan in 1995, before he could complete his degree at Berklee, and set up a state of the art recording facility, Digital Fidelity Studios. Mekaal's own playing skills and his instrumental record 'Square One' was impressive enough to get the attention of jazz legend Billy Cobham
who flew down to Lahore, Pakistan, in 2000 to co produce and play on 'Square One'. From 1997-2000 Mekaal was in touch with many of the UK's leading musicians such as Mike Mondesir, Mark Mondesir, Zoe Rahman
, and Pete Lockett
and a 2001 British Council tour which featured Mekaal writing for Pete Locekett's South Indian drumming and percussion saw the inception of Mekaal Hasan Band.
In March 2001, Mekaal collaborated with Pete Lockett
in a series of concerts countrywide featuring music written for Pete and classical artists by Mekaal. Pete Lockett has been featured on tour and on records by Peter Gabriel
, Björk
, Robert Plant
, Simply Red
, Afro-Celt Sound System and many others as well as on Hollywood movies such as the two James Bond movies, Tomorrow Never Dies
, The World Is Not Enough
, as well as The Bone Collector
and City of Angels. The music played in these concerts was a unique experience for all as this was the first time in the history of performances in Pakistan, that material written by a Pakistani musician for foreign artists was used. Following the artistic and public acclaim that the music received, Mekaal decided to continue writing music which would feature different classical and experimental artists who could contribute to the progressive and bold nature of the music that Mekaal Hasan Band play which is a fusion between the melodic sensibility of the East and the harmonic sophistication of the West.
The lead singer of The Mekaal Hasan Band, Javed Bashir, and flutist Papu are part of the older community of classically trained musicians living in Lahore. Many of them have been relegated to playing backup for the country's glossy pop stars. Hasan reversed that arrangement and brought those musicians to the forefront and formed the band. They released their debut album, Sampooran
, in 2004.
", in 2004 by EMI
/Virgin Records
. The album based mostly on classical music and was recorded at Mekaal Hasan's own studio, Digital Fidelity Studios, in Lahore
. The album featuring the artistry of artists from Pakistan and abroad, with stunning performances by the UK's Pete Lockett
on drums and multipercussion along with bass sensation Michael Mondesir. Pakistan's own drum legend, John Luis "Gumby" Pinto, makes his mark as guest artist on the opening four tracks on the record.
The band has toured extensively since the launch of their album "Sampooran" including an extremely well received tour of India. Mekaal Hasan's compositions and feel for the guitar has constantly earned critical praise and recognition. Initially the public's response was underwhelming. In a fledgling music scene such as Pakistan's, the public has found it hard to understand the artistry of a jazz fusion
(although Mekaal Hasan refers to it as "world music") album such as "Sampooran".
The songs themselves are classic poetry pieces set to Mekaal's compositions, and as such are lacking the catchy beats and simple lyrics that are the hallmark of Pakistani-pop. However, the songs have a haunting beauty, immaculate composition and structure, and address topics that are both diverse and thought-provoking but that has changed with the release of MHB's new single "Jhok Ranjhan" which is the first single from the band's second album titled "Saptak
". The video for "Raba" was a social commentary on a scale rarely found in Pakistani videos. Having garnered a cult following, the band finds itself breaking into the mainstream with the success of "Jhok Ranjhan", which spent over 4 weeks at the number 1 slot on the national charts.
On 3 February 2010, Javed Bashir(Vocals) decided to part ways after working along with the band for 8 years. On 26 December, in an online poll by Dawn News the band's video for their single, "Chal Bulleya", was voted as the best music video of 2010.
Former
Sufi rock
Sufi rock is a subgenre of rock music that combines rock with classical sufi music traditions. It emerged in the early 1990s and became widely popular in the late 1990s in Pakistan. The term "sufi rock" was coined in 1993 by writer Nadeem F...
band formed in Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
, Punjab
Punjab (Pakistan)
Punjab is the most populous province of Pakistan, with approximately 45% of the country's total population. Forming most of the Punjab region, the province is bordered by Kashmir to the north-east, the Indian states of Punjab and Rajasthan to the east, the Pakistani province of Sindh to the...
, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
in 1999 by composer-songwriter, guitarist Mekaal Hasan
Mekaal Hasan
Mekaal Hasan is a leading Pakistani musician and record producer from Lahore. He has worked in the capacity of a guest artist and/or record producer in the music industry of Pakistan with many Pakistani bands and solo artists at home and abroad. He is also the leader and composer for Mekaal Hasan...
. With band members who each have roots in differing genres, including jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
, classical music
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
, soul music
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
, and sufi rock
Sufi rock
Sufi rock is a subgenre of rock music that combines rock with classical sufi music traditions. It emerged in the early 1990s and became widely popular in the late 1990s in Pakistan. The term "sufi rock" was coined in 1993 by writer Nadeem F...
, the combination of each member has created a sound which has earned them fans from a variety of quarters.
The band achieved mainstream success with its debut album, Sampooran
Sampooran
-Personnel:All information is taken from the CD.Mekaal Hasan Band:* Mekaal Hasan – lead guitar* Javed Bashir – lead vocals* Mohammad Ahsan Papu – flute* Sameer Ahmed – bass guitarAdditional musicians*Keyboards: Farhan Albert...
, released in 2004. Its following studio album, Saptak
Saptak (album)
-Personnel:All information is taken from the CD.Mekaal Hasan Band:* Mekaal Hasan – lead guitar* Javed Bashir – lead vocals* Mohammad Ahsan Papu – fluteAdditional musicians*Keyboards on "Sanwal" by Farhan Albert...
, released in 2010 continued the band's success. Mekaal Hasan Band is Pakistan’s most critically acclaimed act as well, winning numerous awards and nominations for it’s recordings, videos and live performances.
Despite being signed to both EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
and Sadaf Stereo, the band have their own record label, MHB Music, which they use to launch some independent releases and their albums.
Early years (1995-2004)
Songwriter Mekaal Hasan, born in LahoreLahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
, was surrounded by music since childhood. His father, Masood Hasan, passion for jazz music influenced him throughout his early years. After graduating from Government College
Government College
Government College refers to various colleges.* Government College University, Lahore, is probably the most frequent college referred to by this name. It may also refer to:* Government College of Technology, Coimbatore, India* Darjeeling Government College...
, Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
, Mekaal studied music at the Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
, Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
and his stay there exposed him to a wide variety of music and musicians, many of whom are influences to this day.
He returned to Pakistan in 1995, before he could complete his degree at Berklee, and set up a state of the art recording facility, Digital Fidelity Studios. Mekaal's own playing skills and his instrumental record 'Square One' was impressive enough to get the attention of jazz legend Billy Cobham
Billy Cobham
William C. Cobham is a Panamanian American jazz drummer, composer and bandleader, who has called Switzerland home since the late 1970s....
who flew down to Lahore, Pakistan, in 2000 to co produce and play on 'Square One'. From 1997-2000 Mekaal was in touch with many of the UK's leading musicians such as Mike Mondesir, Mark Mondesir, Zoe Rahman
Zoe Rahman
Zoe Rahman is a British jazz composer and pianist.-Education:Born and raised in Chichester, United Kingdom. Rahman studied classical piano at the Royal Academy of Music, a music degree at St Hugh's College, University of Oxford, and won a scholarship to study jazz performance at Berklee College of...
, and Pete Lockett
Pete Lockett
Peter Robert Lockett is an English percussionist and recording artist. Lockett is known as a versatile and prolific percussionist, collaborating with many artists. He is well-versed in percussion traditions from music cultures around the world, including, Arabic, Japanese, Indian and...
and a 2001 British Council tour which featured Mekaal writing for Pete Locekett's South Indian drumming and percussion saw the inception of Mekaal Hasan Band.
In March 2001, Mekaal collaborated with Pete Lockett
Pete Lockett
Peter Robert Lockett is an English percussionist and recording artist. Lockett is known as a versatile and prolific percussionist, collaborating with many artists. He is well-versed in percussion traditions from music cultures around the world, including, Arabic, Japanese, Indian and...
in a series of concerts countrywide featuring music written for Pete and classical artists by Mekaal. Pete Lockett has been featured on tour and on records by Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
, Björk
Björk
Björk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
, Robert Plant
Robert Plant
Robert Anthony Plant, CBE is an English singer and songwriter best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin. He has also had a successful solo career...
, Simply Red
Simply Red
Simply Red were a British soul band that sold more than 50 million albums over a 25-year career. Their style drew influences from blue-eyed soul, new romantic, rock, reggae and jazz...
, Afro-Celt Sound System and many others as well as on Hollywood movies such as the two James Bond movies, Tomorrow Never Dies
Tomorrow Never Dies
Tomorrow Never Dies is the eighteenth spy film in the James Bond series, and the second to star Pierce Brosnan as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. Bruce Feirstein wrote the screenplay, and it was directed by Roger Spottiswoode. It follows Bond as he tries to stop a media mogul from engineering...
, The World Is Not Enough
The World Is Not Enough
The World Is Not Enough is the nineteenth spy film in the James Bond film series, and the third to star Pierce Brosnan as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. The film was directed by Michael Apted, with the original story and screenplay written by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and Bruce Feirstein. It...
, as well as The Bone Collector
The Bone Collector
The Bone Collector is a 1999 thriller film starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie, directed by Phillip Noyce and produced by Martin Bregman....
and City of Angels. The music played in these concerts was a unique experience for all as this was the first time in the history of performances in Pakistan, that material written by a Pakistani musician for foreign artists was used. Following the artistic and public acclaim that the music received, Mekaal decided to continue writing music which would feature different classical and experimental artists who could contribute to the progressive and bold nature of the music that Mekaal Hasan Band play which is a fusion between the melodic sensibility of the East and the harmonic sophistication of the West.
The lead singer of The Mekaal Hasan Band, Javed Bashir, and flutist Papu are part of the older community of classically trained musicians living in Lahore. Many of them have been relegated to playing backup for the country's glossy pop stars. Hasan reversed that arrangement and brought those musicians to the forefront and formed the band. They released their debut album, Sampooran
Sampooran
-Personnel:All information is taken from the CD.Mekaal Hasan Band:* Mekaal Hasan – lead guitar* Javed Bashir – lead vocals* Mohammad Ahsan Papu – flute* Sameer Ahmed – bass guitarAdditional musicians*Keyboards: Farhan Albert...
, in 2004.
Sampooran (2004-2008)
Mekaal Hasan Band released their debut album, "SampooranSampooran
-Personnel:All information is taken from the CD.Mekaal Hasan Band:* Mekaal Hasan – lead guitar* Javed Bashir – lead vocals* Mohammad Ahsan Papu – flute* Sameer Ahmed – bass guitarAdditional musicians*Keyboards: Farhan Albert...
", in 2004 by EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
/Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
. The album based mostly on classical music and was recorded at Mekaal Hasan's own studio, Digital Fidelity Studios, in Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
. The album featuring the artistry of artists from Pakistan and abroad, with stunning performances by the UK's Pete Lockett
Pete Lockett
Peter Robert Lockett is an English percussionist and recording artist. Lockett is known as a versatile and prolific percussionist, collaborating with many artists. He is well-versed in percussion traditions from music cultures around the world, including, Arabic, Japanese, Indian and...
on drums and multipercussion along with bass sensation Michael Mondesir. Pakistan's own drum legend, John Luis "Gumby" Pinto, makes his mark as guest artist on the opening four tracks on the record.
The band has toured extensively since the launch of their album "Sampooran" including an extremely well received tour of India. Mekaal Hasan's compositions and feel for the guitar has constantly earned critical praise and recognition. Initially the public's response was underwhelming. In a fledgling music scene such as Pakistan's, the public has found it hard to understand the artistry of a jazz fusion
Jazz fusion
Jazz fusion is a musical fusion genre that developed from mixing funk and R&B rhythms and the amplification and electronic effects of rock, complex time signatures derived from non-Western music and extended, typically instrumental compositions with a jazz approach to lengthy group improvisations,...
(although Mekaal Hasan refers to it as "world music") album such as "Sampooran".
The songs themselves are classic poetry pieces set to Mekaal's compositions, and as such are lacking the catchy beats and simple lyrics that are the hallmark of Pakistani-pop. However, the songs have a haunting beauty, immaculate composition and structure, and address topics that are both diverse and thought-provoking but that has changed with the release of MHB's new single "Jhok Ranjhan" which is the first single from the band's second album titled "Saptak
Saptak (album)
-Personnel:All information is taken from the CD.Mekaal Hasan Band:* Mekaal Hasan – lead guitar* Javed Bashir – lead vocals* Mohammad Ahsan Papu – fluteAdditional musicians*Keyboards on "Sanwal" by Farhan Albert...
". The video for "Raba" was a social commentary on a scale rarely found in Pakistani videos. Having garnered a cult following, the band finds itself breaking into the mainstream with the success of "Jhok Ranjhan", which spent over 4 weeks at the number 1 slot on the national charts.
Saptak (2009-2010)
Mekaal Hasan Band, released their second album in October, 2009. They also released their video of a single "Chal Bulleya" on 2 October 2009.On 3 February 2010, Javed Bashir(Vocals) decided to part ways after working along with the band for 8 years. On 26 December, in an online poll by Dawn News the band's video for their single, "Chal Bulleya", was voted as the best music video of 2010.
Band members
Current- Mekaal HasanMekaal HasanMekaal Hasan is a leading Pakistani musician and record producer from Lahore. He has worked in the capacity of a guest artist and/or record producer in the music industry of Pakistan with many Pakistani bands and solo artists at home and abroad. He is also the leader and composer for Mekaal Hasan...
– lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
(2001–present) - Asad Abbas – lead vocalsLead vocalistThe lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
(2010–present) - Mohammad Ahsan Papu – fluteFluteThe flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
(2001–present) - Amir Azhar – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(2009–present)
Former
- Javed Bashir – lead vocalsLead vocalistThe lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
(2002–2010) - Riaz Ali Khan – lead vocalsLead vocalistThe lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
(2001–2002) - Sameer Ahmed – bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(2001–2009)
Awards and nominations
- Debut single "Raba" nominated for "Best Alternative Track" at the 1st Indus Music Awards, 2004.
- "Sajan", the band’s 2nd single, nominated for and won "Best Alternative Track" at the 2nd Indus Music Awards, 2005 .
- MHB’s Debut Record "SampooranSampooran-Personnel:All information is taken from the CD.Mekaal Hasan Band:* Mekaal Hasan – lead guitar* Javed Bashir – lead vocals* Mohammad Ahsan Papu – flute* Sameer Ahmed – bass guitarAdditional musicians*Keyboards: Farhan Albert...
" nominated for Best Album at the 2nd Indus Music Awards, 2005. - "Jhok Ranjhan", MHB’s new single from their 2nd record "Andholan" nominated for and won "Best Composition" at the 3rd Indus Music Awards, 2006.
- "Jhok Ranjhan" also nominated for "Best Alternative Track" at the 3rd Indus Music Awards, 2006.
- MHB nominated for and won "Best Live Act" at the prestigious 4th Lux Style AwardsLux Style AwardsThe Lux Style Awards is an award ceremony held annually in Pakistan since 2002. The awards celebrate "style" in the Pakistani entertainment industry, and honour the country's best talents in film, television, music, and fashion. Around 30 awards are given annually.The Lux Style Awards is considered...
, 2005. - MHB also nominated for "Best Album" at the 4th Lux Style Awards, 2005.
- MHB nominated for "Best Live Act" at the 5th Lux Style Awards, 2006.
- MHB nominated for and won "Best Live Act" at The 1st The Musik AwardsThe MusikARY Musik is a 24-hour Urdu-English music channel from Pakistan.Originally created and launched from Dubai in 2003 under the leadership of the CEO Salman Iqbal and multiple Award Winner VP Wiqar Ali Khan...
, 2006. - MHB also nominated for "Best Rock Song", "Most Wanted Band", "Most Wanted Song" and the following members and session musicians from MHB were nominated for:
- Best Keyboardist: Farhan Albert
- Best Guitarist, Best Bassist: Mekaal Hasan
- Best Drummer: J.L.Pinto
- MHB nominated for and won "Best Live Act" at the 6th Lux Style Awards, 2007