Junoon 20

junoon 20
Compilation album by Junoon
Released September 30, 2011
(Volume I released for digital download on October 5, 2011)
December 21, 2011 (Volume I released by EMI Pakistan)
Recorded 1991-2011
Genre Sufi rock, Classical rock, Psychedelic rock
Length 01:37:25
Label EMI, Nameless Sufi Music
Producer John Alec, Salman Ahmad
Junoon chronology

Rock & Roll Jihad
(2010)		 Junoon 20
(2011)
Singles from Junoon 20
  1. "Open Your Eyes (Pakistan Humara)"
    Released: November 2, 2010
  2. "Neend Aati Naheen"
    Released: September 30, 2011
  3. "Saeein"
    Released: November 7, 2011

Junoon 20 is the fourth compilation album and the nineteenth overall album of the Pakistani band, Junoon. The compilation album served as a tribute album for the 20th Anniversary of the band and is divided into two volumes. The first edition of the album featured many well known musicians like Bilal Khan, Outlandish, Aag, Usman Riaz and Laal’s Taimur Rahman, paying tribute to Junoon by covering some of the band's famous songs.[1][2] The first volume of the album was released on September 30 and was made digitally available on October 5, 2011.

On December 21, 2011, EMI Pakistan released Junoon's 20th anniversary album volume I in a ceremony held at Marriott Hotel, Karachi, Pakistan.

Background

In August 2010, Salman Ahmad was interviewed by American music magazine The Rolling Stone, he talked about his novel and the soundtrack album based on the novel. In the interview, Salman informed that in India the book will be published by Jaico Publishing House and will be accompanied by a free CD which includes two singles, "Love Can You Take Me Back" and "Bulleya/Lonely Heart" and also including two other tracks, "Sayonee" and "Meri Awaz Suno". Salman also confirmed that he's currently working on a new Junoon album release, which will release in next year.[3] On August 16, in an interview with BBC World Service, Salman Ahmad confirmed that he's writing a song named "Khwab" for the Pakistan flood victims in order to raise funds for them. He also confirmed that the song will be internationally released within a few week's time and hopes to record it with Pakistani and Western artists.[4] After a few days, it was confirmed that Salman Ahmad will collaborate with Peter Gabriel on the song "Khwab", in an attempt to raise funds for the Pakistan flood victims.[5] On August 25, Salman Ahmad talked to Dutch TV about organizing a charity concert with various artists to collect money for the flood victims in Pakistan.[6] In September, Salman Ahmad confirmed that he has collaborated with Alison Sudol on the song "Pakistan Humara" (first named "Khwab", later named "Open Your Eyes") for the Pakistan flood victims.[7] Salman further added that Peter Gabriel will be bringing his genius to the song on September 6. “Will try and send a picture from the studio”, says Salman.

In an interview with ABC News, it was confirmed that both the U.S. & British governments have enlisted Salman Ahmad to speak against extremism.[8] On October 29, Salman Ahmad released the song "Open Your Eyes" with Peter Gabriel and Alison Sudol for the Pakistan flood relief.[9] The song was launched on November 2, to be downloaded from digital music sites globally. Each dollar for download will go to Pakistan flood relief through their charity organisation, Salman and Samina Global Wellness initiative (SSGWI).[10] After the release of "Open Your Eyes", Peter Gabriel offered Salman Ahmad to record a complete album with his Real World Records label next year.[11] Salman Ahmad also confirmed that he's working on a duet with American artist and producer David Sisko who has worked for the likes of Justin Timberlake & Gwen Stefani.[12]

Reunion: Junoon's 20th anniversary

On January 26, 2011, Junoon performed at Lahore University of Management Sciences for United Nations HIV/AIDS campaign. On March 16, the single "Pakistan Humara" in collaboration with Peter Gabriel was dedicated to the Pakistan cricket team playing at the 2011 Cricket World Cup.[13] On March 18, Junoon performed at The College of William & Mary as part of W&M's Asian studies initiative.[14] On March 23, Junoon launched the music video of the single "Pakistan Humara" directed by Asad Pathan.[15][16] On June 19, Junoon performed at the Festival Mundial held in Tilburg, Netherlands.

On August 12, in an interview with The Express Tribune Ahmad confirmed that he is set to celebrate Junoon’s 20th anniversary with the band's former bassist Brian O'Connell.[1] “We are reaching Junoon’s 20th anniversary, so I’m excited about more projects coming up regarding that,” Ahmad told The Express Tribune.[1] Ahmad also confirmed that Junoon’s 20th anniversary celebration concert will be held at the Asia Society on September 24 in New York.[1] The band also announced that it will release an album to mark two decades of Junoon. The album will be featuring Strings, Bilal Khan, Outlandish, Aag, Usman Riaz and Laal’s Taimur Rahman.[1][2] Shoaib Mansoor will be writing lyrics for the band's anniversary album.[17]

On September 24, Junoon celebrated their 20th Anniversary by performing a concert at the Asia Society & Museum in New York City.[18] It was after 8 years that both Salman Ahmad and Brian O'Connell shared the same stage together to celebrate the band's reunion and anniversary. In response to the 20th Anniversary of the band, former vocalist, Ali Azmat in an interview with Newsweek magazine said that he does not want to associate his name with Junoon as there are some personal issues between Salman Ahmad and him. Azmat also confirmed that Salman Ahmad invited him to be part of the 20th Anniversary reunion concert by he never replied to his emails.[19] On September 30, Junoon performed at the Crowell Concert Hall in Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, United States and also released the first edition of their 20th Anniversary album, Junoon 20. Tribute singles were released by Junoon on its official Facebook page along with a music video release of "Neend Aati Naheen" covered by Laal. On November 7, Usman Riaz released a music video for the song "Saeein" that featured in the 20th Anniversary album first edition.

Track listing

All music composed by Salman Ahmad.

Junoon 20: Volume I
No. TitleWriter(s)Artist(s) Length
1. "Open Your Eyes (Pakistan Humara)"  Peter Gabriel, Salman AhmadJunoon (feat. Peter Gabriel, A Fine Frenzy & Samina Ahmad) 5:53
2. "Dil Se Jo Baat"  Allama IqbalJunoon 4:05
3. "Chand Sitara"  Shoaib MansoorJunoon 4:20
4. "Saeein (Instrumental)"   Usman Riaz 4:23
5. "Ghoom Taana"  Salman AhmadJunoon (feat. Shubha Mudgal & Noori) 6:42
6. "Samina (Instrumental)"   Vital Signs 6:10
7. "Do Pal Ka Jeevan"  Shoaib MansoorVital Signs 5:22
8. "Khwab"  Nusrat Hussain, Salman AhmadJunoon 5:26
9. "Talaash"  Salman AhmadJunoon 5:09
10. "No More"  Polar Levine, Isam Bachiri, Lenny Martinez, Waqas Ali QadriOutlandish (feat. Ali Azmat) 4:28
11. "Tum Sung Naina"  Rubina BadarSamina Ahmad 4:52
12. "Jogia"  Salman AhmadJunoon (feat. Fifi Haroon) 4:53
13. "Heer (Instrumental)"   Shahjehan Khan 2:54
14. "Rangon Main Khoya"  Salman AhmadJunoon 5:23
15. "Woh"  Salman AhmadJunoon 5:12
16. "Dil Main Meray"  Bilal KhanBilal Khan 2:45
17. "Mitti"  Sabir Zafar, Salman AhmadAag 5:20
18. "Neend Aati Naheen"  Salman AhmadLaal 4:16
19. "Dum Mustt Qalandar (Live at Central Park, New York)"   Junoon 5:44
20. "Bulleya/Lonely Heart"  Bulleh Shah, Salman AhmadJunoon 3:58
Total length:
 01:37:25
Junoon 20: Volume I (Bonus Tracks)
No. TitleWriter(s)Artist(s) Length
21. "Azadi"  Ali Azmat, Sabir Zafar, Salman AhmadJaag 4:50
22. "Chalay Thay Saath"  Ali Azmat, Salman AhmadFarhan Saeed 5:02
23. "Pyar Bina"  Sabir ZafarSajid & Zeeshan 5:31
24. "Sajna"  Ali AzmatMomina Mustehsan (feat. Moen Jo Daro) 4:00
Total length:
 19:23

Personnel

All information is taken from the CD.

Junoon

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 20 years of Junoon Retrieved on 12 August 2011
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Junoon: Celebrating 20 years of Sufi rock Retrieved on December 3, 2011
  3. ↑ Salman Ahmad latest interview for Rolling Stone Retrieved on August 4, 2010.
  4. ↑ Rocker Salman Ahmad plans Pakistan flood victims song Retrieved on August 18, 2010.
  5. ↑ Salman Ahmad (Junoon) to collaborate with Peter Gabriel on ‘Khwab’ Retrieved on August 28, 2010.
  6. ↑ Pakistan Aid Salman Ahmad on Dutch TV Retrieved on September 10, 2010.
  7. ↑ Alison Sudol to sing a Sufi inspired melody on ‘Pakistan Hamara’ Retrieved on September 4, 2010.
  8. ↑ Meet Salman Ahmed, Rock and Roll Jihadi Retrieved on October 4, 2010.
  9. ↑ Peter Gabriel records song for Pakistan Retrieved on November 18, 2010.
  10. ↑ Salman Ahmad releases song for flood relief Retrieved on October 29, 2010.
  11. ↑ Peter Gabriel Offered Salman Ahmad To Record Complete Album Retrieved on December 10, 2010.
  12. ↑ Salman Ahmad collaborating with American artist & producer David Siskovic Retrieved on November 30, 2010.
  13. ↑ The Unity of Purpose WC Unity Jam: Song for Pak Cricket Team Retrieved on March 16, 2011
  14. ↑ World music, Sufi rock superstars Junoon perform live in concert Retrieved on March 19, 2011
  15. ↑ Pakistan Hai Humara ft. Peter Gabriel (Music video) Retrieved on March 24, 2011
  16. ↑ Pakistan Hai Hamara by Salman Ahmad feat. Peter Gabriel Retrieved on March 24, 2011
  17. ↑ Shoaib Mansoor as the lyricist for Junoon's 20th Anniversary album Retrieved on August 12, 2011
  18. ↑ Behbud USA: Annual Fundraiser at Asia Society and Museum on September 24th Retrieved on December 3, 2011
  19. ↑ ‘When the Music Is Over’ Retrieved on December 3, 2011.

External links