INSTEP Magzine

1. 'Gori'
Vital Signs
Off their debut album, 'Gori' is a classic Vital Signs number that deserves to be blasted on the stereo. In terms of sound, it is definitely percussion heavy with folk ethos running throughout. And even though, it is certainly not a typical "dance" number, it is one of those few Pakistani pop songs that once can dance to… at any occasion, on any regular day. With Junaid Jamshed providing flirtatious vocals to the this playful and bouncy composition wordplay that goes, "Goray rang ka zamana kabhi ho ga na purana/Gori dar tujhe kiska hai, tera to rang gora hai/Goray rang ka nazara, lage sab ko hi pyara, Zara kar do ishaara/Gori dar tujhe kiska hai, tera to rang gora hai", it simply rocks. 'Gori' is a feel-good kind of song that fits in contemporary pop music even today.

2. 'Josh Naal'
Josh
In terms of sound, this is a bhangra-meets-dance number. But what makes it such a wonderful composition is its addictive melody. Since its release that goes back to 2004 when Josh first launched onto the scene with their first commercially released album in Pakistan - their actual debut album was Tanha - with Kabhi, 'Josh Naal' has played at parties and shaadis alike. With a modern composition and a desi urban sound that is the signature of Josh, this track remains a hot favourite even today. With its catchy wordplay that goes, "Badi sohni lagi lengay de naal tu/Kade puch la bi mitraan da haal tu/Josh Naal pao bhangra/Sade naal pao bhangra/Raste'ch ho hatja/Josh naal pao bhangra/Sohniye tu ruk ja" it makes for one of Josh's finest numbers to date.
What's also interesting is the language Punjabi is just used in its basics. This is certainly not one of those Abrar-ul-Haq type lyrics that require one to de-construct the mystery behind the wordplay.


3. 'Say It Right' Nelly Furtado featuring Timbaland As a song, 'Say It Right' is an absolute dance number. With Timbaland's brand of modern day hip-hop and Nelly's prowess as a songwriter, it is a lethal collaborative effort. With a powerful wordplay that goes, "In the day/In the night/Say it right/Say it all/You either got it/Or you don't/You either stand or you fall/When your will is broken/When it slips from your hand/When there's no time for joking/There's a hole in the plan" and a percussion forming the basic musical structure, 'Say It Right' is a powerful track. It is a song that fits well in all seasons and is a perfect anecdote for the partying crowd of the country. This song literally marked a new Nelly Furtado for the world. After the success of her Whoa Nelly!, her second record Folklore flopped badly in the international music scene, despite critical acclaim. In 2006, when Nelly re-surfaced with her third studio record, Loose with Timbaland holding the production forte, Nelly is now right up on the top with Justin Timberlake, beating out the glorious pop babes Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.

4. 'Aag' Nazia Hasan Inspite of being a very 0ld song, this song still fits into today's music like a last piece that pulls a puzzle together. With Nazia Hasan's slightly husky and somewhat sultry vocals and Biddu's expertise with beats, it really makes for an excellent number. This song, like most of Nazia Hassan's music was way ahead of its time as far as Pakistani music goes. And hence, if heard today, it doesn't feel outdated. Nazia Hasan, who is known as "The nightingale of East" really shines as a vocalist here. One of Nazia's most celebrated numbers, 'Aag' can fit in a club-like environment as effortlessly as it can be heard on a rainy day!

5. 'Summer Jam' The Underdog Project With keyboard nuances, techno beats and a disco funk feel and wordplay that goes, "This ain't nothing but a summer jam/Bronze skin and cinnamon tans whoa!/This ain't nothing but a summer jam/We're gonna party as much as we can", 'Summer Jam' is perhaps one of the best dance tracks to come out in recent times. Off The Underdog Project's album, It Doesn't Matter, the song reminds one of Schiller's 'I Feel You' as far as vocals go. Written by European singer Vic Krishna, it was this song that has put The Underdog Project on international music map. With 'Summer Jam', The Underdog Project shot to fame in the United States and to date, it remains their most memorable number.

6. 'Hai Koi Hum Jaisa' Strings What a brilliant song, eh? A peppy, cheerful and patriotic number, it is yet another great track that plays testament to the musical genius of Strings. With its element of fun that comes through with "Hay oo ha oo/Hay Ooaa/Alay Alay Oo/" it is a number that one wants to sing as loudly as possible. A pop song to the core, it highlights not only Faisal on vocals (as always) but also puts forward the songwriting ability of Bilal Maqsood. For its fun feel and patriotic streak, it makes for a fine summer song this season!

7. 'Hung Up' Madonna The queen of pop music, Madonna has the ability to churn out one hit after another. Off her last album, Confessions On A Dance Floor, 'Hung Up' takes it cue from dance music that hails out of Europe. With its meaty beats and Madonna's inimitable style of singing, 'Hung Up' is a rocking dance floor number. This is a song that embraces the whole idea of disco. Lyrically as it goes, Every little thing that you say or do/I'm hung up/I'm hung up on you/Waiting for your call baby night and day/I'm fed up/I'm tired of waiting on you", this is a song that is essentially about relationship issues. That said, the song also puts forward the idea of strong women.

8. 'I Wish It Would Rain' The Temptations A Motown band, The Temptations hit big almost instantaneously in the early, grooving' 60s. Known for their foot-tapping, bluesy yet uplifting tunes such as 'My Girl', 'Papa Was A Rollin' Stone', 'I Can't Get Next To You' and of course, 'I wish It would Rain'. The band's music oozes soul and doo-wop with a heavy influence of disco funk. 'I Wish It Would Rain' hit number 4 in 1968 on the US Top 10 chart and simultaneously a number 1 on the R&B No.1 chart. 'I wish it would rain' is a wonderful little soul number sung by The Temptations' lead singer, David Ruffin and makes for an excellent song to listen to during the monsoons!

9. 'Rain' Jose Feliciano Born blind in Puerto Rico in 1945, Feliciano is a singer/musician like no other. His visual impairment did not stop his passion for music and singing - and perhaps his 'handicap' really did aid in giving him a whole lotta soul because Feliciano churned out a number of international hits during the span of his music career. His wonderfully husky voice croons: "Listen to the falling rain/Listen to it fall/And with every drop of rain/I can hear you call/Call my name right out loud/I can hear above the clouds/And I'm here among the puddles/You and I together huddle". Brilliant number, a real keeper. Even though the clouds of rain have suddenly dispersed in the heat these days, Feliciano's 'Rain' reminds one of the monsoons and with slight drizzle pouring on and off, it just puts a smile to one's face.

10. 'Why Does It Always Rain On Me?' Travis Britpop to the core, Travis hail from Scotland, storming the charts with 'Why Does It Always Rain On Me?' - a number which won them international recognition and acclaim. Interestingly, when Travis performed this song at the 1999 Glastonbury Festival, it promptly began to rain at the site! How ironic is that? Also, a similar event occurred in London's 'Party in the Park' (in Hyde Park) the following year and also at the Quart Festival in Kristiansand, Norway, three years later! 'Why Does It Always Rain On Me?' is a mellow and slightly melancholic number but nonetheless it's a great listen.