Mekaal Hasan Band at the Cedar, Minneapolis (26 Aug 2015)
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India/Pakistan band Mekaal Hasan Band (Mekaal Hasan on guitars, Mohammad Ahsan Papu on flutes, Ibrahim “best looking drummer in Pakistan” Akram on drums, Amir Azhar on bass, and Sharmistha Chatterjee on lead vocals) recently made a rare appearance at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis last night.
What is unique about Mekaal Hasan Band is that they have members from Pakistan and India, and they play something called sufi rock (a fusion of rock music with Pakistani classical music). Their songs are sung in either Farsi or Punjabi.
As described by band leader Mekaal Hasan, they have released three albums, with their early materials were too “dense and cerebral”. What he is referring to is the more jazz rock style on “Bandeya”, with emphasis later in the song with some really heavy bass.
Their later songs, particularly on their latest Andholan and untitled upcoming record, their music is more up-tempo and more “groovy” as Hasan puts it.
What is unique about Mekaal Hasan Band is that they have members from Pakistan and India, and they play something called sufi rock (a fusion of rock music with Pakistani classical music). Their songs are sung in either Farsi or Punjabi.
As described by band leader Mekaal Hasan, they have released three albums, with their early materials were too “dense and cerebral”. What he is referring to is the more jazz rock style on “Bandeya”, with emphasis later in the song with some really heavy bass.
Their later songs, particularly on their latest Andholan and untitled upcoming record, their music is more up-tempo and more “groovy” as Hasan puts it.
Setlist
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As previously described, the Pakistani style really shines through with various flutes by Mohammad Ahsan Papu and Sharmistha Chatterjee’s traditional Pakistani singing style. However, the guitar-driven and drumming puts the music in a different direction… sometime sounding like something you would hear on a Metallica song, but with crazy Bollywood vocals. It’s trippy and psychedelic – especially when the band played their epic set closer “Ya Ali” medley into “Mahi” with flickering color-changing lights at the end.
Mekaal Hasan Band’s Lux Style Awards-nominated album Andholan is out now.
Remaining tour dates:
Aug 30 – New York, NY – Joe’s Pub
Sep 5 – Los Angeles, CA -The Markaz
Sep 5 – Los Angeles, CA -The Markaz
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Mekaal Hasan Band at the Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis (26 Aug 2015) |