Brian O’ Connell To Perform With Salman Ahmad To Celebrate Junoon’s 20th Anniversary

August 10, 2011

As some of you who have seen, lived and breathed the Junooni roller-coaster ride, might be aware that Junoon‘s 20 year journey began with the release of their self titled first album on September 30, 1991.

To celebrate this long journey, Salman Ahmad will be reuniting with his high school friend and Junoon’s ex bassist and producer Brian O’ Connell. Brian will be performing with Salman on the 20th anniversary celebration concert at the Asia society on September 24th in New York.

Salman is also working on putting together a 20th anniversary box-set (1991-2011), which will chronicle the entire history of Junoon. The box-set will feature the best Junoon tracks including Jogia – But that’s not all. The album will also include special guest artists such as Denmark based hip-hop group Outlandish, Aag, Kominas, Strings, DJ Rekha, Taimur Rahman (Laal), Bilal Khan, Zeb and Haniya, Shafqat Amanat Ali, Saieen Zahoor and wonderful new guitar player Usman Riaz (we reported such collaboration between Salman and Usman way back in March). These artists will be recording their favourite Junoon tunes in their own way, which will be featured on the album.

Salman tweeted the following,

“Iqbal, Bulleh Shah and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan were enormous influences” who inspired “Junoon’s sufi-rock during an era of mysticism and magic.”

“Junoon 20th anniversary album is showcasing great artists like Outlandish and wonderful new guitar player Usman Riaz.” The album will also “feature artists like Strings, DJ Rekha, Taimur (Laal) and Bilal Khan.”

“Other exciting artists for the Junoon 20th anniversary to be revealed in the hours and days ahead.”

Usman Riaz thanked Salman for the opportunity. He said,

“I would like to thank Salman Ahmad for allowing me to interpret one of Junoon’s songs in my own style. I am deeply honored and very grateful to have been given such an opportunity.”

Usman further added that he will be performing Junoon’s “Saeen”.

“But it will be VERY different from anything you have heard from me. I hope to make Mr. Salman proud.”

The 20th Anniversary box-set will also include a disc of Jam sessions such as the videos of SSGWI Concert for Pakistan which was attended by Gavin Rossdale, Gwen Stefani and Roger Federerw and was held at the UN General Assembly.

Other than celebrating the long and exciting journey of Junoon, Salman is also recording a beautiful new song with a Haitian musician, Wyclef Jean, for the UN Humanitarian day (August 19).

Below is a video of Junoon’s first ever television appearance on PTV, Neend Ati Nahin, which was tweeted by Salman.