Once a member of the pioneering pop music group Vital Signs, a seasoned producer and co-founder of Coke Studio, Rohail Hyatt has decided to step down as music producer in 2021.

After producing six seasons, Hyatt returned for season 12 and Coke Studio 2020 (season 13) with the latter featuring all original and fewer songs. Though the last season was one of the best in Coke Studio’s long, controversial and illustrious history, Rohail Hyatt has stepped off, confirmed a source to Instep.

Who will take his place is conjecture at this point. But it would be interesting to see a new producer – who hasn’t been a part of any previous seasons – taking on the challenge of the popular music TV series.

Ali Hamza produces ‘Ao Ehad Karain’ for Pakistan Day

On the occasion of Pakistan Day (March 23), Coke Studio released a new patriotic single called ‘Ao Ehad Karain’, produced by Ali Hamza. The former also makes a mark in the song with Allama Iqbal’s poetry embedded in the verses, lending it maturity.

In addition to Hamza, ‘Ao Ehad Karain’, a collaborative single features several artists such as Adnan Dhool, Farwa Batool, Kashif Din, Mehak Ali, Nabiha Saleem, Nimra Rafiq, Rida Batool, Saadat Shafqat, Shammu Bai, Vishnu, Young Stunners, Zahab Hussain, and Zaw Ali.

According to a press statement, the song is “envisioned in collaboration with Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR)” and is meant to send a message of hope, peace and “celebration of young and emerging talent of the country for Pakistan Resolution Day”.

‘Ao Ehad Karain’ features poetry of Allama Iqbal, the 52-piece Army Brass Band, young choir singers “echoing the song ‘Jaag Raha Hai Pakistan’.” In true Coke Studio tradition, ‘Ao Ehad Karain’ combines several iconic national songs including ‘Itnay Baray Jeevan Saagar Mein’, ‘Wattan ki Mitti, Gawah Rehna’ and ‘Mera Paigham Pakistan’. To understand the song fully, it must be seen/heard as it features musicians from around the country and that is quite possibly its greatest success.

Shez Raja’s new album engineered by Mekaal Hasan

Shez Raja, a British-Asian bass player, has been described in All About Jazz in the following words: “Shez Raja personifies the modernisation of jazz. He is fearless as a musician.”

So, it isn’t surprising that when Shez, who has collaborated with the likes of Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, Trilok Gurtu and Wayne Krantz, stepped into Mekaal Hasan’s Digital Fidelity Studios in Lahore, something worthwhile would come out of it. And it has.

For his new album, Tales from the Punjab, the British-Asian musician spent time in Lahore digging into the rich heritage of South Asian music that, according to a press statement, is his most exquisite and heartfelt recording to date. Inspired while traveling around Punjab and tracing his roots, during which he met musicians of all sorts, Shez Raja has created a beautiful album aptly titled, Tales from the Punjab.

Featuring Shez on bass, it includes Fiza Haider on vocals, MHB’s veteran flautist Ahsan Papu on bansuri, Zohaib Hassan on sarangi, Kashif Ali Dani on tabla and Qamar Abbas on cajon.

Released by Ubuntu Music and published by Gearbox Music Publishing, the album has been recorded live at Digital Fidelity Studios, Lahore, Pakistan where it was engineered, mixed and mastered by veteran music producer and MHB leader Mekaal Hasan. Produced by Shez, it is a collaborative work of music. It preceded Shez spending time with young as well as eastern musicians. “For several days they shared a musical and spiritual journey together through ancient ragas, traditional melodies and free improvisations, creating a bridge between cultures with beautiful, exotic and timeless sounds,” noted a presser.

What has emerged is something that is really quite exquisite. To find the album, just go online. Props to Mekaal Hasan for taking on such a layered musical project.

Meesha Shafi goes Boom Boom for WoW 2021

To enjoy music, one can head to YouTube and find some excellent virtual gigs. One such gig is Meesha Shafi’s hour-long performance during the first digital edition of Women of the World Festival 2021.

You can find the gig from day three of Women of the World Festival 2021 (WoW) backed by the British Council. The performance titled ‘Boom Boom – Woman of the Hour’ is approximately one hour long exclusively performed by Shafi for WoW. During the set, Meesha Shafi also spoke briefly about the songs as well as the new abnormal. Accompanied by guitarist-husband Mahmood Rahman, the organic and intimate performance also included Marta Solek on the cello. The set included both iconic originals and covers. Among them were songs such as ‘Dasht-e-Tanhai’, ‘Boom Boom’,’Ishq Aap Bhi Awalla’, ‘Chori Chori’, ‘Na Tutteya Ve, ‘Leela’, ‘Mein’ and several others.

Watch this space for more on virtual performances that you shouldn’t miss.