"Us Rah Par" By: Ambareen Imran Courtesy: Faisal Hafiz

The saga of Junaid Jamshed began (officially) on September 3rd 1964. But what makes this classic Pakistani success story compelling, real and passionate is the unique character of its central figure, Junaid. Maybe it can be called a quirk of fate, the birth of this talented, strong, ambitious boy into a typical, traditional, Punjabi family. Early in his life, Junaid was taught that there were rules to be abided in a regular routine. Therefore it should not surprise you that Junaid spent six years of his life in the army. However, he soon realized that while working in the army was great, it was not what he wanted to spend the rest of his life doing. If asked what he wanted to do, Junaid tells us: "I was a born athlete, completely involved in all kinds of sports. If I had not become a musician, I would have been a top ranking tennis player in Pakistan." 

His Passion For Music 

So you guys must be wondering when this soldier (who wanted to be a professional athlete) decided to embark on a musical career. "It all started when I passed my intermediate examinations and my mother bought me a guitar as a present." From the time he strummed his first chord Junaid knew that music is what he had been cut out to do. 

His Musical Life 

Junaid's career as a professional musician started in 1986. He and the other members of the Vital Signs decided to form a group and do what they enjoyed most, playing music. At the time, there was no market for what these guys were doing. Nobody sang like Junaid, nobody made music like Rohail. As all artists do, initially they struggled for recognition, but it was only a matter of time before their talent made them stars. 

Dil Dil Pakistan - First Step Towards Stardom

The Signs' first real taste of success was when they released Dil Dil Pakistan in 1987. Instantly it became the song that was on everyone's lips, a kind of pop national anthem. Next was their debut album: vital signs 1(aka vol:1) which was released in 1989, spawning several hits including Gori, Yeh Shaam, and Samjana. With such a start, the Vital Signs were off and running headfirst into stardom. 

Pepsi Sponsors Vital Signs 

In 1990, they were the first South Asian band to sign a sponsorship contract with Pepsi-cola International. After their association with Pepsi, Junaid and the group took over the nation's TV screens with their 'Pepsi, Pepsi Pakistan' tune. This was very much in line with the soft drink Company's trail-blazing tradition of supporting the world's best performers. Especially those that are a step ahead of their time, such as Michael Jackson, Spice girls, and Ricky Martin, to name a few. Since then, as they say, there was no looking back! 

Second Album or The Pepsi Album

The second Vital Signs album (simply Volume 2) was released in 1990, which was received after tremendous anticipation from the fans. The release sold out its first shipment of copies in a matter of weeks and had an array of chart busters, including Sanwali, Mera dil, and Hum Rahay Rahee. By 1992, the band felt they were ready for a greatest hits collection, which was issued next year to meet the overwhelming demand for their music. 

Trail of Concerts 

To date, the group has performed in over four hundred concerts in Pakistan and abroad. The fact that the group was asked to give an official performance before Pakistan's Prime Minister and Parliament during Independence Day celebrations is an indication of the respect the pioneers themselves have brought to Pakistani pop music. Their first ever concert in the United States was in Washington DC at the Washington monument, with a turnout of thirty thousand screaming fans. The band was overwhelmed by the support they received at that concert, considering it was their first abroad. In 1994, the band visited the UK and performed a series of concerts including the Wembley Arena. The fact that the Vital Signs had supporters was not surprising. All the venues were to fill to capacity and the crowds were as eager and excited as any audience the band had encountered locally. 

Junaid - Most Vital of All the Signs

Junaid Jamshed has been the vocalist for Vital Signs from the beginning and the stabilizing force holding them together. Not only has Junaid managed to charm Pakistan but also his popularity has managed to cross borders and pervade into North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Junaid and the band have performed in the United States and the United Kingdom before large crowds that were thrilled to have a piece of Sub-continental culture. 

Junaid Goes Solo 

What drove Junaid towards a solo album when things could not be going better for the Vital Signs? It is quite obvious to all Vital Signs fans that they come out with an album once every two years, and considering the demand is enormous, there was a lot of time and nothing to do because there are hardly any concerts due to political problems. So he thought why not do a solo album? 
Thus, the lead singer of Vital Signs produced a stunning collection of songs, ranging from eastern hip-hop to fusion raga -style raps. He chose to do this album with Shoaib Mansoor (A man Junaid considers a close friend and like a Godfather to him) because he was so comfortable with him and the fact that he knew exactly what Junaid wanted. The release of this album was a natural progression of Junaid's career. As one member of a group his creative input was limited to being one in opinion amongst three. The only way he could explore his own creativity was to do it alone. 

The album was recorded in England with London-based Indian musician Biddu at the helm of things. Shoaib Mansoor came up with the idea of using the song titled Tumhara aur mera naam as well as other melodies written and composed even before Dil Dil Pakistan but had been kept in the storage box. Arshad Mehmood also did two songs for Junaid, leaving his hallmark. The intensive use of the saxophone and the depth of the lyrics and the tunes show the experience and genius of the team at work behind Junaid, Shoaib Mansoor, Arshad Mehmood and Biddu. Their classicism has fused in keeping with the demands of the time. And you cannot help but be swept off your feet by Junaid's sensual and moving voice. 

1995 Brings Luck 

The 1995 was a good year for the Signs. What is considered their best album to date also came out in the same year. Hum Tum was a mature album with the staple elements that make every VS album a hit. Jeetain Gay was the patriotic number which would catch on first, and songs like Mein Chup Raha and Namumkin with Asad Ahmed's guitar and Junaid's inspired vocals with a different treatment gave them a fresh look which was received very well especially in concerts. The Jeetain Gay tour was their most successful to date, with Junaid simultaneously touring for his solo album at well. Proving himself to be a man who can make his own mark, but never deserting his roots. 

Release Of "Maula" In 1997 

In 1997, Vital Signs released a single, Maula, in celebration of Pakistan's Golden Jubilee Anniversary. The Signs were yet again at the forefront of celebrations for our country's turning 50. Surely the authors of the only pop anthem (Dil dil) could not have been left out at such a time. And Maula was indeed every bit the contribution expected from the pioneers, shown on the nation's TV screens day and night with a hip video showing a grown and mature Vital Signs. 

Finally "Us Rah Par" 

Now VCI, in collaboration with Eagle Gold, has released Junaid's latest effort, a solo album titled 
Us Rah Par, on both CD and Music Cassette. So far, this has been described as the peak of Junaid's creative talents. The title track's video has been directed by Bilal Maqsood, and is already on regular rotation on local channels, earning Junaid and the video director praises left, right and center. Asim Reza is working on the second video from the album, Aankhon Ne Aankhon Se, one of the best and most original songs to ever hit the Pakistani Pop Scene, featuring Talvin Singh on percussion samples. Watch out for the haunting Keh Do Jo Bhi, and Kamran Khan "Kamijee's" contemporary production has given the album a completely new and modern sound. 

Salman's Contribution To "Us Rah Par"

Salman Ahmed has played with Junaid for the first time in the studio since they parted ways in Vital Signs, the result, Jaagiray, with lyrics from Junoon's main songwriter Sabir Zafar, has Salman's inimitable stamp all over it. Shoaib Mansoor has, as usual, given his words to the rest of the album, but has truly surpassed himself this time. Other musicians and producers that have worked with Junaid on this album are: Amir Zaki, Rohail Hyatt, Fakhir Mahmood, Immu and Faraz Anwar. 
Thus Us Rah Par is an accumulation of the talents of some of the most creative minds in Pakistan's music industry. We hope you enjoy listening to this album as much as the team behind the scenes enjoyed creating it. There can be no denying Junaid's charisma, which draws crowds by the thousand. His impact is bound to effect the minds of people for generations to come. We wish him all the best for this album and hope that he will continue to entertain the audience with his music for a long time to come.