Junoon 20

Background

In August 2010, Salman Ahmad was interviewed by American music magazine The Rolling Stone; he talked about his novel and the soundtrack album based on the novel. In the interview, Salman informed that in India the book will be published by Jaico Publishing House and will be accompanied by a free CD which includes two singles, "Love Can You Take Me Back" and "Bulleya/Lonely Heart", and also including two other tracks, "Sayonee" and "Meri Awaz Suno". Salman also confirmed that he was working on a new Junoon album release, which will release in next year. On August 16, in an interview with BBC World Service, Salman Ahmad confirmed that he was writing a song named "Khwab" for the Pakistan flood victims in order to raise funds for them. He also confirmed that the song would be internationally released within a few weeks' time and that he hoped to record it with Pakistani and Western artists. After a few days, it was confirmed that Salman Ahmad would collaborate with Peter Gabriel on the song "Khwab", in an attempt to raise funds for the Pakistan flood victims. On August 25, Salman Ahmad talked to Dutch TV about organizing a charity concert with various artists to collect money for the flood victims in Pakistan. In September, Salman Ahmad confirmed that he has collaborated with Alison Sudol on the song "Pakistan Humara" (first named "Khwab", later named "Open Your Eyes") for the Pakistan flood victims. Salman further added that Peter Gabriel will be bringing his genius to the song on September 6. “Will try and send a picture from the studio”, says Salman.

In an interview with ABC News, it was confirmed that both the U.S. and British governments had enlisted Salman Ahmad to speak against extremism. On October 29, Salman Ahmad released the song "Open Your Eyes" with Peter Gabriel and Alison Sudol for the Pakistan flood relief. The song was launched on November 2, to be downloaded from digital music sites globally. Each dollar for download will go to Pakistan flood relief through their charity organisation, Salman and Samina Global Wellness initiative (SSGWI). After the release of "Open Your Eyes", Peter Gabriel offered Salman Ahmad to record a complete album with his Real World Records label next year. Salman Ahmad also confirmed that he's working on a duet with American artist and producer David Sisko who has worked for the likes of Justin Timberlake & Gwen Stefani.

Reunion: Junoon's 20th anniversary

On January 26, 2011, Junoon performed at Lahore University of Management Sciences for United Nations HIV/AIDS campaign. On March 16, the single "Pakistan Humara" in collaboration with Peter Gabriel was dedicated to the Pakistan cricket team playing at the 2011 Cricket World Cup. On March 18, Junoon performed at The College of William & Mary as part of W&M's Asian studies initiative. On March 23, Junoon launched the music video of the single "Pakistan Humara" directed by Asad Pathan. On June 19, Junoon performed at the Festival Mundial held in Tilburg, Netherlands.

On August 12, in an interview with The Express Tribune Ahmad confirmed that he was set to celebrate Junoon’s 20th anniversary with the band's former bassist Brian O'Connell. “We are reaching Junoon’s 20th anniversary, so I’m excited about more projects coming up regarding that,” Ahmad told The Express Tribune. Ahmad also confirmed that Junoon’s 20th anniversary celebration concert will be held at the Asia Society on September 24 in New York City. The band also announced that it will release an album to mark two decades of Junoon. The album will be featuring Strings, Bilal Khan, Outlandish, Aag, Usman Riaz and Laal’s Taimur Rahman. Shoaib Mansoor will be writing lyrics for the band's anniversary album.

On September 24, Junoon celebrated their 20th Anniversary by performing a concert at the Asia Society & Museum in New York City. It was after 8 years that both Salman Ahmad and Brian O'Connell shared the same stage together to celebrate the band's reunion and anniversary. In response to the 20th Anniversary of the band, former vocalist, Ali Azmat in an interview with Newsweek magazine said that he does not want to associate his name with Junoon as there are some personal issues between Salman Ahmad and him. Azmat also confirmed that Salman Ahmad invited him to be part of the 20th Anniversary reunion concert by he never replied to his emails. On September 30, Junoon performed at the Crowell Concert Hall in Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, United States and also released the first edition of their 20th Anniversary album, Junoon 20. Tribute singles were released by Junoon on its official Facebook page along with a music video release of "Neend Aati Naheen" covered by Laal. On November 7, Usman Riaz released a music video for the song "Saeein" that featured in the 20th Anniversary album first edition.

Track listing

All music composed by Salman Ahmad.

Personnel

All information is taken from the CD.