Boring studio recordings and the ‘Oh so irritating’ repetitive electronic beats! And worse, the musically challenged remixes of today… I’m sure you know where I’m getting at … Yes , We all are in search for that ONE place which’ll give us good quality music-one that we’d love to listen to, spanning different genres and also will allow us to download all that awesome stuff.
Sounds like an impossibility? Well, it isn’t.
I hereby take pleasure in introducing you to “COKE Studio”.Already transcending cultural and national boundaries, COKE Studio is a television series which features live music performances. Weaving together music from the traditional eastern, the modern western and regional beats, it enthralls you with its magic of live recordings and performances.
Season 1 of this brilliant show was premiered on June 8, 2008. Gathering applause for its contribution to the music world, it went on to screen its premier for Season 2 on June 14, 2009. Keeping a more intimate atmosphere the second time round, the producers of the series eliminated the live audience which they had during Season 1.
Needless to say, their Youtube channel is immensely popular, especially amongst the youth of today and it has a fan following of over 64,000 on the official Facebook page. A treat to music lovers, COKE Studio makes available online Video and MP3 files for each song, right after each episode is aired along with additional information as to the artists and bands.
Produced by Rohail Hyatt and his wife, Umber Hyatt, COKE Studio brings together a bunch of very talented artists and creates breathtaking music.
Some renowned artists who have been featured on various episodes include:
Ali Zafar
Ali Zafar
One of Pakistan’s most influential musicians, in addition to his work as a singer, this multifaceted personality is a youth icon, a songwriter, a composer, an artist and an actor. He performed songs which moved masses at the inaugural season of COKE Studio.
Arieb Azhar
He is best known for his resonant voice and for churning out Sufi inspired melodies. Arieb Azhar is fast becoming a star in the diversified yet unified world of music and has spent over a decade in Croatia where he produced two albums of purely Irish music.
Javed Bashir
Javed Bashir is one of the most recognized and acclaimed classical singers of our times, one who can ‘connect’ with today’s generation. Hailing from a family of renowned qawaals, he studied extensively under the great Ustaad Mubarik Ali Khan. Javed’s command of the classical singing tradition can be heard and seen in his work with the internationally reputed band, Mekaal Hasan, with whom Javed has been since 2002.
Saieen Zahoor
Saieen Zahoor
One of the most enigmatic musicians we have today, Saieen Zahoor is one whose mystical music is steeped in Sufi spirituality and devotion. He is revered equally for his haunting voice and for his renditions of Kalaams by the saintly poets Baba Bulle Shah and Mian Muahmmad Buksh.
Noori
Noori is often credited for revitalising rock music for the present generation with the release of their first album Suno Ke Mein Hoon Jawan in 2003 and is definitely one of the shining stars of the musical galaxy.
Strings
Hailing from Pakistan, Strings is an all time popular pop band comprising Bilal Maqsood and Faisal Kapadia. Formed almost two decades ago, the band has grown to be coveted for its music, lyrics and energetic live act. Strings won Best Artist and Most Favourite Band at the MTV Asia Awards in 2005 and Best Live Act at the Lux Style Music Awards last year.
JoSH
Josh
JoSH is an immensely popular Montreal based duo featuring Qurram Hussain, popularly known as Q and Rupinder Magon or Rup. They are celebrated for their ability to fuse R&B and Hip-Pop influences with both modern and traditional bhangra beats and music.
I’m sure that having read this post, all the music lovers will be dying to check out this series. It is a musical platform which bridges barriers and celebrates diversity. An excellent initiative by Coca-Cola it helps to collaborate musically, renowned as well as upcoming and less mainstream musicians from various genres.
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03.22.10
Thanks for putting up this article. Hope that the music of Coke Studio reaches everyone.
03.22.10
It’s awesome and watching every person involved in the creation of the songs connects you much more with them. It feels as if you are connecting with God.
04.08.10
This is my first visit here, but I will be back soon, because I really like the way you are writing, it is so simple and honest
09.22.10
I’ve heard a few songs from Coke Studio and they are sheer brilliance. But why haven’t you mentioned Atif Aslam as one of the singers? I hear he’s quite popular on the show too.