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Cover of SEVEN8SIX's last album The Straight Path |
Artist: SEVEN8SIX
Album: Straight Path
Year: 2005
Label: Meem Music
Life is a journey, and every journey has its ups and downs, but one has to stand tall and be brave to stop for self-criticism and self-improvement so that one can find peace of mind. And the only way to reach that peace of mind is through pleasing Allah.
And that's just about what the American Muslim boy-band SEVEN8SIX wants to tell you in their latest album, Straight Path. Strumming to the beat of a soul seeking direction in life, the band echoes a heart's desire to lead a life full of pleasure, yet pleasing Allah and not straying away from the straight path.
After a relatively successful release in 2003 of their self-titled album, the band released Straight Path in December 2005, followed by their video clip "Meccah" on January 2007.
According to the group's official website, SEVEN8SIX derives its name from a popular numeric shorthand for the Islamic bismillah (Arabic for: In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.) The band members are Shahaab Quraishi, Omar Razzacki, Zafar Razzacki, Muhammad Saadullah (Saad), and Muhammad Saeedullah (Saeed).
The website also reveals that their joint musical career began for SEVEN8SIX in the summer of 2001 in the suburbs of Detroit, US, where they unknowingly came together to sing at a friend's wedding. Following the positive response their performance received, the five decided to stay together as a group and direct their talents towards delivering an Islamic message.
The group's first performance as SEVEN8SIX was at the 2002 Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) convention in Washington, D.C.SEVEN8SIX has since appeared at large concerts organized by Muslim groups, including major events co-sponsored in part by the ISNA and other community organizations around the US (SEVEN8SIX official website).
The band members come from varied educational backgrounds, according to the website:
Omar is currently studying at the University of Michigan in preparation for law school.
Saad, who plays the drums, graduated from Eastern Michigan University, where he pursued a double major in Economics and Fine Arts, and he is now preparing to apply to dental school.
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| The Seven8Six team |
Zafar has a B.S.E. degree in chemical engineering and an M.S.E. in biomedical engineering. He currently does research at the University of Michigan and is planning to pursue an MD and a career in medical research.
Shahaab, who attended the University of Michigan-Dearborn, majored in economics and minored in computer information systems.
Saeed is a pre-med student at Eastern Michigan University and plans to pursue a career in medicine.
Concerning the use of musical instruments, SEVEN8SIX said,
As Muslim artists, we respect the efforts of all artists who use music to help spread Islam. We acknowledge that there is ikhtilaf (differences of opinion) among eminent scholars, classical and contemporary, some of whom have permitted singing and the use of musical instruments. It is known that the subject of music is one of the most controversial topics in Islamic legislations, and we respect those who consider music to be haram (unlawful). After seeking advice from numerous scholars on the use music and singing, SEVEN8SIX has taken a conservative approach, using only percussion instruments in all of its material, including live performances and studio recordings. SEVEN8SIX firmly maintains its decision as a group to be a percussion-only band (Mujahideen Ryder's Blog ).
Straight Path is full of the harmonies fans are used to from the band, plus a cool new R&B flavor mixed with soul, hip hop, and traditional Urdu and Arabic influences. The new album is voice, drums, and percussion only. It also features guest appearances from Tyson, Aman, Waqas Ali Qadri, and Dale Marcell of the Fletcher Valve Drummers.
However, the real strength of the collection is the grace and comfort with which the band manages to introduce subtle changes in their voices to suit the feel of the different tracks.
The album begins with two songs that are the perfect example of the message they want to convey all through the album.
"Be Real" and "Change Your Mind" are songs that encourage Muslims to act right and to better the image of Islam. Through these two songs SEVEN8SIX, with Tyson, are sending a message to all the youth to start living with integrity and follow the orders of Allah; they are using their songs as a wake-up call.
Although I didn't quite understand the lyrics of the two Urdu songs, Dosti (Friendship) and Haazir Hain Hum (Here We Are), I liked the vocals and the band proved to be using the songs in a very inspiring way.
However, the outstanding tracks in the compilation are "Falling Away" and "Meditate." The first is a gorgeous utopian conversation with God; it starts with soothing beats that open the heart and mind to the lyrics,
Every time I feel You close to me
I don't know who I'm I supposed to be
Just give me a chance
Coz I don't wanna slip away
Gotta keep You in my heart leading all my ways.
It's a very relaxing song that for me is like a little chit-chat with God, for people who know they need Allah's help in their life and is not afraid of admitting the same, knowing that all man-made solutions would not help without Allah's guidance and support.
Although the words are the core of this track, it is the music that really sets this song apart from the rest. It paints a picture of a ride through the clutter of life, as a person trying to reach towards fitting in the last piece of life's puzzle, a piece that he is struggling to win.
On the other hand, "Meditate" is a song about self-realization. It is a reflection of a moment in one's life when one realizes that one has taken everything for granted, not contemplating and knowing that there is something wrong. That's when one should stop, take things slow, and meditate.
Where's your heart? Slow your pace
Think some more to win this race
Hands can grind, skin can bruise
Kill your faith and you will lose
[Chorus:]
Move slow, think twice
Meditate, wouldn't that be nice?
"Meditate" features Waqas Ali of the Danish band Outlandish, where Ali adds his hip-hop flavor balancing the song with his strong voice and upbeat rap.
"Meccah" is a song describing one's yearning to perform pilgrimage; SEVEN8SIX released its video in January 2007. In the video, the song starts with a very melodious recitation of the Qur'an. Then, it goes on to show a trip to perform Hajj and the hardships of this trip as well as its joys.
Also, "Struggle Child" is a song that really deserves to be mentioned. As the name suggests, the song is an intimate acknowledgement of one's vulnerability and the appreciation expressed by a son wishing he would make a difference and meet his father's expectations.
This striking exploration of the different shades of a variety of emotions and a blend of different cultures is the real backbone of Straight Path.
As we wonder through the maze of life, with every beat and every word, SEVEN8SIX rakes up the need to answer a final wake-up call.
References:
Comment.Mujahideen Ryder's Blog. Accessed 19 April 2007.
SEVEN8SIX on Myspace.com
SEVEN8SIX Official Website
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