Various - The Sound Of Wonder

The first wave of plugged-in Pop from the Pakistani picture house. Rare Electronic Pop from the
Lollywood vaults (1973-1980). 15 untravelled currants of Space-Age Cinematic Surf and Urdu Funk.

· Commonly, ignorantly but understandably lumped in with its wealthy not-toodistant
cousin, Bollywood, Lollywood was inspired by, but often
overshadowed by its posh and well-travelled relative. Lollywood's Lahore
based film industry was a profitable and vibrant one that found great success in the
modest boundaries of its own country but was seldom savoured outside Pakistan.
However, the hugely important musical business spawned a bi-product that was
viewed as a potential earner for international entertainment industry, EMI, which
allowed talented musicians to create ambitious music with world class mediums at
there disposal, which throughout the 60s and 70s ranged from fuzz-guitars,
space-echo machines and American and European synthesizers, but, due
to the composers indigenous roots, rarely a drum-kit.
· Here you'll find fuzzy, scuzzy, twang-happy, spaced-out and funked up
Urdu-grooves complete with harmonium melodies and driven by some of
the most random factor, freakish, finger-numbing, percussion that the South East
Asian mainstream has ever had to offer. Above all, Lollywood soundtracks sound
raw.
· Re-imagine some of the most action packed Bollywood productions, then fire the
make-up department, take away the special effects budget and then improvise.
The lack of gloss on a dusty Pakistani mini-LP makes for truly experimental Eastern
Pop music.
· ‘The Sound Of Wonder’ features music from Mr. M. Ashraf and his long-term
female collaborator, Nahid Akhtar, the duo who would provide Pakistan with it's
Gainsbourg / Birkin or it's Morricone / Dell'Orso for over 20 years, recording
squillions of cut-and-paste sonic collages and moog-fuelled desperate
love / hate / chase / chill / kill / songs mixing onomatopoeic Urdu lyrics with
unexpected bursts of user friendly English language, and throwing in the odd motif
from a Barry White or Donna Summer hit. Also featured here are legends like
Noor Jehan, a national treasure and household name in Pakistan whose
discography of film songs have deprived the vaults of EMI Pakistan of floor space
for half a century.

‘Dama Dam Mast Qalandar (The Sound Of Wonder)’ M. Ashraf ft Ahmed Rushdi *
‘Good News For You’ M. Ashraf ft Nahid Akhtar * ‘Karye Pyar’ Tafo ft Nahid Akhtar *
‘Yeh Raat Jane Keya Keya’ Kamal Ahmed ft Noor Jehan *
‘Dilbar Dilbara’ M. Ashraf ft Nahid Akhtar * ‘I Am Very Sorry’ Kamal Ahmed ft Noor Jehan
*
‘Main Hoon Play Boy’ M. Ashraf ft A.Nayyar * ‘Kad Ley Way’ Tafo ft Nahid akhtar *
‘Na Main Chini Na Japani’ Tafo ft Nahid Akhtar * ‘Society Girl’ Nazir Ali ft Nahid Akhtar *
‘Ho Jeth Ji Aaj Main’ M. Ashraf ft Nahid Akhtar *
‘Mera Mehbob Hai’ M. Ashraf ft Nahid Akhtar *
‘Meri Marzi Main Gaoon Gi’ Misar Bazmi ft Runa Laila *
‘Life Hai Kuch Dinon Ki (Nevermind)’ M.Ashraf ft Nahid Akhtar *
‘Pyar Ka Koee Shola’ M. Ashraf ft Nahid Akhtar

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