LG ABS EPISODE 51 - 3rd QUARTER FINAL

The stage is set; the lights are up, sound checked, audience in, one last glance from the director as he takes his figure eight walk, seems satisfied, all set, here starts the competition!

It’s Sajid! The song: ‘Aa Mere Pyaar Ki Khushboo’, The singer: ‘Amanat Ali Khan’, The task: Crisp execution. As he takes the centre stage, Sajid seems to be embodying The 4 C’s; Cool, Calm, Collected & Composed. After going through the grief of loosing his aunt, Sajid seems unflinching in the face of adversity as he holds the microphone. Behind his visibly humble appearance there hides a soul rich in vocal assets. The song demands a smooth execution, the judges are all ears, and the audience is waiting for their share of treat. Sajid starts the song off with a strikingly well structured alaap. Nizar Lalani already seems to be right into the song from this very moment. And so it begins, Sajid holds the song together and manufactures it to order. He deals with the ups & downs of the track in a skillful manner and manages to draw it till the end. When it came down to the judges to deliver the verdict, Nizar Lalani said he could feel a tear drop inside Sajid. Both Hadiqa & Salamat Ali Khan appreciated Sajid’s effort as well.

1 down, 6 to go! Next up, it’s Zain! The song: ‘Akhiyan’ by ‘Fuzon’. As soon as the prelude hit the speakers the audience knew what song it was and that got them going. A groovy feeling takes over the auditorium. Feet started tapping, hands in the air, hip shaking, its fiesta! Zain, wearing a glittering jet black leather jacket, was contrary to his attire and was in a bright shinning mood. Looking determined to let the judges know what he’s capable of; Zain keeps a strong grip on the song right from the beginning. A perfect package was being delivered by Zain, he got the audience going, the judges were liking what he brought to the stage and Zain himself seem to be enjoying the track. Hadiqa said Zain was like that little kid who’s ‘Mast’ in his own ‘Masti’ and forgets the world around him as he sings. Salamt Ali Saab and Nizar Lalani appreciated Zain’s effort.

Next up is that ‘Smoky’ girl, Alycia! Wearing a Rajasthani Choli, bangles up her arms, sporting a traditional ‘Tika’ on the forehead, she dazzled the stage. The song; ‘Dholna’, a track packed with a pulsating beat of ‘Dhol’. As the thump of the ‘Dhol’ emanates from the sound blasters with an impressive bass, Alycia looks completely in charge of the proceedings. She takes over the whole place. A fast paced beat, an all dolled up girl, the heart pounding sound, what do you expect? An spectacle of song and dance! A broad smile on Nizar Lalani’s face as Alycia gets right into the track. As the song approaches its end, Alycia turns around, puts the mic onto the deck, faces up back to the audience, joins her hands together stretched in front of her and gets into a well choreographed and well synced dance move to finish it off in style. The audience loved it and the judges adored it. Nizar Lalani, still sporting a broad smile, dubbed Alycia a good performer. Both Hadiqa & Salamat Saab followed suit. A dazzling performance from Alycia sets the stage for our next performer.

Next up to pick up the gauntlet is Abdul Ahad. Dressed in a traditional, shiny ‘Kurta’, a red handy tied up to his wrist, Ahad seemed like he had just walked in from a set of ‘Qawwali’. And ‘Qawwali’ indeed he had prepared to render. It’s ‘Tum Se Mil Ke’, a traditional sub continental, musical genre, catered, served and reserved to please South Asian ears and its sheer ear candy. In his trademark manner, Ahad gets into the song. There’s something not quite right. Could be the texture of Ahad’s voice not finding the right match with the one required for this exclusive genre or could it be that Ahad was getting ahead of the track itself. Whatever it was, it didn’t quite do it for Ahad, and for the audience and the judges for that matter. Ahad seemed rushing into the song right from the beginning and that cost him. The judges pointed out the same. Ahad couldn’t make an impression this time round.

Black sunglasses, a suede like jacket, skin kissing T shirt and tightly fitted jeans, three guesses for who it was; it’s M. Ahad. Later it was revealed that the secret behind the sunglasses was not some latest fad but due to an eye infection Ahad had suffered. The song Ahad chooses for tonight is ‘Barso Re’ an almost heavy Metal representing bass guitar runs right through this song making it a bit hard to swallow for the audiences after some lighter performances being served to them. The sound is deafening and M. Ahad seems to be reveling in it. Playing an invisible bass guitar in his hands, Ahad sems occupied by the bassline. It’s noisy and it’s heart pounding. The judges, specially Nizar Lalani suggested Ahad should practice more sophisticated tracks with minimum variations. Salamat Ali saab suggested pretty much along the same lines.

Next up is Hamza, the song; ‘Zoobi Doobi’. Hamza has that certain charisma and that stage presence that’s required to get the crowd on their feet and might we say he utilizes it well. He does exactly the same this time round too. As soon as Hamza appears onto the stage you just know it’s bound to be a song full of performance utilities. However, this time round, Hamza couldn’t quite work his magic onto the audiences and judges alike. Hamza, though managed to impress one person in the hall and it happened to be Ms. Kiyani. Hadiqa appreciated Hamza’s effort while Salamat Saab and Nizar Lalani reserved their best comments on condition that Hamza performed better next time.

To close the show it’s Aima, representing Bahawalpur. As soon as Aima walks in, you’re dragged back into the fashion world of 60’s & 70’s. She’s sporting the looks tonight, wearing jeans and all. Even the make up went along with the attire. The song she chooses for tonight is ‘Piya Tu Ab To Aaja’. There’s something about this song, something that makes you shout out the name ‘Monica’! And that effect took over the host ‘Tipu’ as he grabbed the mic, stood up and went long, screaming ‘Monica’ behind Aima. The interlude seems to be getting hold of the audiences too as they swung to it. Aima manages to outperform her previous performance as she works up the magic required tonight. The judges again dubbed her a versatile performer and singer and foretold the bright future her throat can fetch her.