Aik Alif by Sain Zahoor, and Noori Aj Latha Naeeo by Javed Bashir Jal Pari by Atif Aslam Khamaaj by Shafqat Amanat Ali Paimona by Zeb and Haniya Fans were welcomed back to a brand new season of Coke Studio on Sunday, June 14th where we started our journey with the acknowledgment of the power of individuals or 'Individuality' through musical collaborations and performances. Our first live session took you to the heart of a recording studio where Saeein Zahoor, Noori, Atif Aslam, Shafqat Amanat Ali, Javed Bashir and Zeb & Haniya were captured in their raw essence through unique behind the scenes moments as they looked to define and redefine traditional and contemporary paths of music. Episode one saw these featured artists collaborate with musicians such as Sadiq Sameer on Rabab, Assad Ahmed on guitar, Babar Khanna on dholak, Jaffer Zaidi on the keyboard, Javed Iqbal on Violin, Kamran "Mannu" Zafar on Bass, Louis "Gumby" Pinto on Drums, Natasha De Sousa as backing vocalist, Omran "Momo" Shafique on guitar, Saba Shabbir on backing vocals, Sikander on dholak, Waris Baloo and Zulfiq "Shazee" Ahmed Khan on multi percussions. With our artists, this seasons' first step into the musical expedition celebrates the individual being and our personal identities bringing to you sounds and expressions unique to each of the 25 artists collaborating aiming to inspire respect and appreciation of each artists' distinct flavour: Take Saeein Zahoor's collaboration with Noori for Ik Alif, Atif Aslam revamping Jal Pari with the house band, Javed Bashir paying tribute to the legendary Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's Saab's through his version of Aaj Latha Naeeo, Shafqat Amanat Ali's new sound for Khamaaj and Zeb & Haniya's collaboration with Saddiq Sameer on Rabab for Paimona: This is where fusion and experimental music is possible. This is Coke Studio! Join us again in a fortnight, June 28th, as our journey continues and we see these individuals come together to create music in harmon

Aankhon Kay Sagar by Shafqat Amanat Ali Dastaan by Ali Zafar Janay Do by JoSH Kinara by Atif Aslam, and Riaz Ali Khan Toomba by Sain Zahoor June 28th 2009 witnessed the voyage into Episode 2 or HARMONY across 15 television channels and numerous radio stations nationwide. Back at the studio we looked to bring you music that is the bridge that connects people: To witness individuals coming together to create a common ground that is in harmony with itself and each other. We watched and heard Ali Zafar, returning as the most popular act from season one: His song 'Dastaan e Ishq', is inspired by Saeein Zahoor's classic Nachna Painda Hai, and although composed by Ali Zafar in collaboration with Baqir Abbas, is solidly rooted in traditional folk music. This performance by Ali Zafar is a musical and lyrical tribute to the diverse appeal and versatility of classic folk tunes and the great sufi poets of this region. Sharing his thoughts on guest musician Baqir Abbas, Ali Zafar says, "Baqir Abbas has always been a great support and a magical flute player. His participation brought much more than I had expected. If my set is appreciated and taken well by the audience I think I should be last person to give credit to." Our second session also welcomed JoSH to the platform with the Coke Studio house band in their soulful melody 'Jaaney Do'. In a sense, JoSH itself represents the quintessence of 'Harmony' with both Q and Rup representing two distinct cultures: they both draw upon the best of their backgrounds to make music that is indeed in accord with itself. 'Harmony' also introduced the unique pairing of classic maestro Riaz Ali Khan with contemporary star Atif Aslam in a brand new rendition of Atif's 'Kinara'. Behind the scenes Atif and Riaz Sahib were both very vocal in praise of one another and on stage the rapport is heart-warming. Flowing seamlessly from a contemporary melody to the legendary "Man Kunto Maula" and on to a smooth, transitional 'tarana' on

Bari Barsi by JoSH Chal Diyay by Zeb and Haniya, and Javed Bashir Jo Meray by Noori Wasta Pyar Da by Atif Aslam Yar Daddi by Ali Zafar “Music and musicians can never be limited by things as small as borders or ethnicities. Historically, music has always been a social equalizer. In Pakistan the problem is that there is no musical platform which is large enough to draw in musicians from various regions and traditions, and bring them together to produce music. Coke Studio has stepped in to provide this platform.” Zeb & Haniya The Coke Studio journey started this year with the acknowledgement of Individuality; as a tribute to the artists and musicians who each bring their own diverse and unique magic to the platform. With this acknowledgement came the awareness that, despite differences, working together and finding a common ground is possible. And through this period of Harmony came the recognition and realization of Equality. Coke Studio’s third episode, titled Equality to symbolize this aspect of the on-going journey, contained a surprising variety of musical genres. Ali Zafar performed Yaar Daddi; the famous Siraiki kafi immortalized by Ustaad Muhammad Juman of Sindh. Accompanied by Baqir Abbas on the flute and Ali Hamza on the Banjo, Ali Zafar, surprisingly, took to the harmonium. This timeless classic has been restyled on Coke Studio, with a strong flamenco influence, complete with rapid-strumming guitar passages and rhythmic claps. Although this rendition does feature contemporary and essentially western ingredients it retains the very soul and essence of indigenous folk and brings this gem of our musical inheritance to the forefront once again, to be enjoyed and cherished by yet another generation of music lovers. “This is the way Jo Meray was meant to be and this is the way we will perform it from now onwards” is what the Noori brothers say about their song at Coke Studio…Ali Hamza takes the lead once more with Jo Meray, with Ali Noo

Mai Ni Main by Atif Aslam Bulleya by Riaz Ali Khan Chup by Zeb and Haniya Saari Raat by Noori Mahi Ve by JoSH, and Shafqat Amanat Ali In the fourth studio session, Coke Studio took us through an exploration of the beauty of the human spirit and brought forth the positive energy of music as it lifted our spirits, touched our hearts and strengthened our emotional and spiritual bonds. Atif Aslam continued to showcase his versatility; from Billie Jean in the last episode to the classic Punjabi folk Kalam by Shah Hussain, Mai Ni Main in this season, Atif wears all his musical avatars with pride. Mai Ni Main is a resilient song which has been explored in the past by maestros ranging from Hamid Ali Bela to Reshma and now, Atif Aslam. The duo Zeb and Haniya brought to the studio perhaps their most recognisable song, ‘Chup’, after which their debut album is titled. The studio session treatment of this song sees both Haniya and Zeb share vocals to a retro musical feel with Omran Shafique working his way around his fret board to produce what he is best known for, groove. The ‘Spirit’ session highlighted another Baba Bulleh Shah poem, his eponymous ‘Bulleya’, sung by eastern classical musician Riaz Ali Khan, who hails from the Sham Chaurasia Gharana. As many may be aware, Bulleya has been released in the past by the likes of rock band Junoon and more recently, Rabbi Shergill. In his Coke Studio version of the song, Khan Sahib pays tribute to Bulleh Shah by composing his own melody in Raag Bhimpalasi, an evocative afternoon raag. The Noori brothers returned with guest musician and cousin Rakae Jamil on the Sitar to reinvent rock ballad Sari Raat, originally from their Peeli Patti album. Indeed this was a most unorthodox setting for the sitar and was in general, a challenging song to play. Ali Noor took the lead on power house vocals and Javed Iqbal stole the show with his staccato rock riff/solo on his violin at the end of this rock number.

Husn-e-Haqiqi by Arieb Azhar Titliyan by Strings Rona Chor Dia by Zeb and Haniya, and Javed Bashir Kuch Ajab Khail by Shafqat Amanat Ali Nahi Ray Nahi by Ali Zafar Kedaar by Noori Humain Kya Hua by Atif Aslam This season music lovers across the country saw and listened as individuals defined and redefined traditional and contemporary paths of music, enjoyed a diversity of musical styles achieving harmony in fusion, witnessed the bridging of barriers through equality, experienced the undeniable spiritual connectivity of music and with the finale, felt the unifying force of music and its power to bring individuals together. The Coke Studio journey completed its run on the 14 of August, with a special 90-minute Independence Day Episode titled "Unity" In episode five, Arieb Azhar brought Khwaja Ghulam Farid's powerful poetry to Coke Studio. This unique and gripping song, 'Husn-e-Haqiqi' featured on Arieb's first album, 'Wajj'. Translated as the 'beauty of truth', this spiritual anthem is compelling. As befitting the unorthodox chant-like musical structure of the song, the Coke Studio version is aptly simplistic - the visual treatment is also appropriately focussed, subtly enhancing the forceful impact of the lyrics and the skill and expressive, emotion of Arieb himself. 'Husn-e-Haqiqi' is simultaneously graceful, unrelenting and joyous. The evergreen Strings brought back their signature elegance to Coke Studio for a second season with their song, 'Tiitliyan'. This melancholic number is from their latest album, 'Koi Aanay Wala Hai'. Violinist, Javed Iqbal brought a soothing dimension to the song, complementing the vocals of both Bilal Maqsood and Faisal Kapadia. Zeb & Haniya returned with Javed Bashir to belt out their triumphant 'Rona Chor Diya' in style. This is yet another song from Zeb & Haniya's debut album 'Chup'. However, as with all the Coke Studio versions of Zeb & Haniya songs this one has also been transformed; Haniya is especially remarka