Do you know of Kamijee aka Kamran Khan? If you're a true Asian rock/pop music lover, chances are that you might've heard of him and followed his musical career which is nearly two decades long. Need hints? He contributed to the music of Pakistani blockbuster film, Shoaib Mansoor's Khuda Kay Liye and Junaid Jamshed's last two album releases (before he found god), Us Rah Par and Dil Ki Baat. He even lent his talent for the music of an Indian movie called Rakht. And of course, his most notable work had been the association with the renowned pop rock band Aaroh, where Kamijee held duties of the keyboardist, arranger and creative producer/composer. However, the inauspicious disintegration of the band resulted in Kami's departure to the US (Chicago) where he continued his solo productions. After extensive improvisation and hard work of six years, Kamijee recently launched his debut solo album, Jeevan. The album has been launched on online music stores like iTunes, amazon.com, emusic.com, Rhapsody while in Pakistan it is being released by EMI Pakistan. Sharing the theme of the album, Kamijee tells Instep, "Jeevan is an album that explores various themes. But mostly it is about our true companion that goes with us on the journey of life. This companion is time."

An attention grabbing feature of the album is the array of musicians of who have played on it. On guitars is Sayyam Rana, lead guitarist of the rock band, Gurus trilogy. Sayyam also gives company to Zeeshan on bass. Sitar has been faultlessly played by veteran Imdad Hussain. Embellishing the album with flute waves are Rahat Ali and Sajid. Saleem has performed the duties of a violinist while lyrics are penned by an army of lyricist including Ovais Sohail, Kamijee, Shoaib Mansoor and Dilara/Arooj Aftab. The album also features more than a dozen vocalists including Junaid Jamshed, Glen John (Gurustrilogy), Rahat Ali, Mohd Ali (Suroor), Ali Raza, Arooj Aftab ('Mera Pyar' fame), and Hamza Jameel from Canada.

They say first impression is the last impression! Kamijee seems to be worshipping the rule as the album kicks off with the impeccable title track, a melodious rock ditty. Flawlessly sung by Rahat Ali, 'Jeevan' is about the aloofness of a human who has lost his beloved in the journey of life. As Rahat rightly hums "Jeevan ki raahon mein/Shamo ki baahon mein tum hi nahi/Mehki fizaaon mein sundar nazaron mein tum kahan kho gai". With some nifty electric guitar support and mellow flute notes, the inauguration of the album couldn't have been better. The video of the track is doing rounds on the media and is produced and directed by Kami himself.

Sayyam's tranquil guitar chords open up, 'Tum Ho Khafa', my favourite track on the disc. The track has been on my playlist ever since it was produced and is one of those numbers which once enters one's mind and refuses to sneak out. The song is an excellent tool for making up to one's beloved and expressing the amount of love one possesses for her. Ali Raza impresses with his vocal range, shifting from high to low notes commandingly. Lyrics such as "Tum ho khafa/Hum bhi khafa/Kis baat ki hai yeh saza/Choro sab hi shikway gillay..." are penned by Shoaib Mansoor and perfectly go with the theme of the track. And again, "Mera tumhara aisa hai nata/Tum ho badal/Mein hoon sahara" - it works.
For 'Na Janay', Glen John of Gurus Trilogy takes over the microphone. This pop rock ballad is decorated with thumping guitar riffs and Glen's spellbinding vocal delivery effectively mesmerizes the listener. The catchiest part of the track however, is the guitar solo by Sayyam, through which he scores a hat-trick of tremendous guitar playing on the album.

'Panchi' blesses the album with the classical magic of Mohd Ali. He sounds alluring on this song courtesy his signature classical alaaps and terrific vocal command. The track is layered with vicious drum slaps, thrashing guitar and bass all the way.

The album hits its real zenith on the soulful 'I Try' which brings out the best in Arooj Aftab's vocal range. This English track is masterfully produced, engineered, composed and arranged by Kamijee and definitely depicts his versatility as a seasoned producer. The lyrics penned by the singer herself in association with Dilara, speak about a spurned lover and the eternal adoration of his beloved. It mentions how painstakingly a girl tries to carry on a relationship in agonizing circumstances only to have been failed by her partner thanks to his cheating and immaturity. She screams passionately "I try to tell the truth but you just couldn't listen/ I try to reason with you but you just won't understand/ you lied, you cheated , I love you I need you I but you're not the one I want to be with".

The mellow song begins with rhythms on the acoustic guitars and has a soft wailing electric guitar lead part in the middle. It has that Evanescence's track 'Bring Me To Life' type feel to it. Sure winner, this one.
Diversity in the record continues with a semi-classical eastern instrumental treat 'You & Me'. The improvisation is a fusion of Imdad's smooth sitar chords and Saleem's placid violin waves. It's almost a piece of art which is sure to relax ones nerves; one of those beats which could be best enjoyed while relaxing on a rocking chair with lights out.

Since Kamijee is an avid Vital Signs fan, the album couldn't have been completed without paying a silver jubilee tribute to the legend band. Hamza Jameel takes it upon himself to provide vocals for a rocked up re-do of 'Yeh Shaam'. It is a kind of rock that is no doubt electrifying but not instantly bizarre. The composition of the track is a tough one to execute but the way Hamza carries it out is simply commendable.

There is even room for a remix here. DJ Ali Mustafa/Kamijee compose a pure dance floor thumper in the form of the title track 'Jeevan' which receives a big thumps up.

The album also has a reverential side. A tribute has been paid to Hazrat Ali (May God Be Pleased with Him) in the form of 'Har Dum Ali' recited by Rahat Ali while Junaid Jamshed admires the Almighty in a beautiful hamd bringing the album to a close.

As the album draws to a close, you really don't want it to stop which is a sign that it clicks on the whole. Jeevan is an extension of the artist's personality. He portrays all his skills including production, composing, engineering, arrangement & songwriting quite efficiently in this album. It is an assortment of thought provoking numbers, ballads, rock ditties and various other genres. When asked about his target audience, Kami aptly replies, "The album longs to spread a universal message thus caters to a global audience." The album also showcases the altogether unique guitar playing talent of Sayyam Rana, who impresses immensely throughout the course. To wrap it up, Jeevan might as well be the revival of quality production in the Pakistani music domain. And finally, if you ask me, it is reminiscent of early Aaroh music!
Key tracks: 'Jeevan', ' I Try', 'Tum Ho Khafa' and 'Panchi'

*****Get it NOW!
****Just get it
***Maybe maybe not
**Just download the best song
*Forget that this was made