A self taught 12 year old individual who started off playing piano out of passion for music followed by guitar and drums playing and ended up singing. The unhidden talent got exposed when the young musician formed the first rock band in Pakistan called ‘Entity Paradigm’(EP). The journey from the rock artist diversified, as Xulfi, during his graduation, experimented his talent by producing, composing and singing alongside the main vocalist in his first album called ‘Irtiqa’ which means ‘Evolution’. The idea behind the lyric writing was as unique as the music composition itself, hence, the experiment turned out to be a big success in the history of Pakistan’s music scene. Right after graduating as a Computer Scientist at the age of 22, the artist made it big by building up his own audio-visual studio called ‘Xth Harmonic’ and started recording his own music along with serving the clientele out of which many were other budding artists. One of the famous albums, “Aadat” by Jal, was recorded at Xth Harmonic. The album earned great public appreciation in Pakistan and in India as well. Apart from that, Xulfi produced and composed his own album called ‘Jilawatan’, which means ‘exiled’ in Pakistan and India and created quite a stir with his work.
This big step in his career led him into the visual aspect of music and that is how video direction commenced. Many of Xulfi’s videos like Jal’s Lamhay and Call’s Shayad proved to be hit singles with a few of them getting critical acclaim as they were nominated in various music video awards as Best Videos.
Xulfi forayed into Bollywood when he wrote, sang and composed “Laaree Chootee” for Bharat Shah’s Ek Chalis Kee Last Local starring Abhey Deol and Neha Dhupia. The song was a hit number and opened new horizons for him into the vast arena of Bollywood music. The idea for the song came about the same night when Xulfi was asked to compose and write a song for this movie. The next bollywood venture came in form of ‘Yeh Pal’, for the movie Aasma starring Nauheed Cyrusi. The song’s remix reached the number one spot at planetbollywood.com for the top ten remixes, and remained there for a few weeks. The ‘Aaloo Chaat’ movie project by Aftab Shivdasani was the next song that was written, composed and sung by Xulfi and that’s how ‘Dharkay Jiya’ came about.
Xulfi’s list of accolades includes the Best Band Award as ‘Call’ in the year 2006, best rock song, best alternative song along with the nominations as the Best Lyricist, Best Music Producer, Best Video Director in his country of origin and moreover, both his albums were nominated as the Best Albums. Furthermore, his work has been appreciated with it being nominated as the Best Song (Laaree Chootee), Best Pop Song (Laaree Chootee) and Best Rock Song in various award ceremonies.
Apart from working as Call’s songwriter/guitarist and co-vocalist, the artist continues taking up audio and video commercials for multinational brands like PepsiCo International, Unilever Walls and Warid Telecom.
Xulfi’s accredited work has been apreciated in the following excerpts from the Bollywood media reviews:
DHARKAY JIYA – ALOO CHAAT
“Xulfi adding serene melodic flair of Paki rock talent Xulfi in ushering out sentiments of mushy communion of lovers in ”Dhadke Jiya”. Xulfi excels to perfection in modulating out tones that mellifluously gels with soft rock ballad stylized genteel rhythms and notes to portray out nimble but compassionate love chemistry. After hip-shaking ”Laaree Choote” (EK CHALIS KI LAST LOCAL), Xulfi spells out quality entertainment again in Bollywood music and if there is anything that can cherished for long in this album then it is sentimentally pristine ”Dhadke Jiye” for melodic ears. Subtly romantic!!!”
Xulfi (of ‘Call – The Band’ from Pakistan) comes up with a winner of a tune in the form of ‘Dhadke Jiya’. A soft number that has melody at its core, ‘Dhadke Jiya’ is the one for a long walk with your loved one on a moonlit night. The arrangements are kept at the minimal too as the singer is allowed to do his job. Moreover, even when the song comes in the ‘remix version’, it doesn’t go overboard and keeps the entertainment quotient intact.
LAREE CHOOTEE – EK CHALIS KEE LAST LOCAL
This is clearly the best song of the lot and will be on your lips before you know it. The song starts with Abhay Deol voicing a line and setting the mood. Xulfi’s voice suits this song well. His voice will remind of you the number of Pakistani rock bands we’ve heard in the past and it’s a good thing.
“So, here we are, waiting for our train and just in time we hear the first track, “Laare Choote” begin. Every once in a while we hear a song that captures our hearts and imaginations. This is one such song. It’s not blustery or bombastic, but certainly is melodious with beautiful lyrics. The music, lyrics, and vocals for this song are by Xulfi from the Pakistani group, “Call the Band”. There’s a certain unmistakable quality to Pakistani bands and their lead singers. 1. They are typecast as Sufi rock. 2. Their lead singers have a fragile quality to their voice and 3. Their songs usually work best in conveying a melancholy mood. It’s nice to see this very solid entry into the genre. The song would not have been nearly as good without Xulfi’s vocals. This track is worthy of being replayed and listened to over and over. The music has nice slow percussive beat to it, with a violin solo that reinforces the melody of the song. Rather than a cookie cut ‘n’ paste job, the listener can tell that the band has put a lot of effort into this track. Interspersed between the music at various intervals are what I call dialogue baazi lines by Abhy Deol imparting filmi wisdom to all. I could have done without the dialogue, but somehow it works in tandem with the music and doesn’t take away from the song”. (planetbollywood.com)
YEH PAL – AASMA
The beautiful and melodic, “Yeh Pal” which is in a similar vein as “Laree Choote” from “Ek Chalis Ki Last Local”. Perhaps that’s because along with the use of violin and acoustic guitar, the fragile vocals are by Xulfi (member of the Pakistani band, Call). What “Yeh Pal” has going for it is the incredible freshness to not only the melody, but also the musical arrangements. About midway through, the female vocalist provides a perfect counterpoint melody to Xulfi.
‘Ye Pal’ conveys a sense of hope and happiness and boasts of some good mix of rhythm and melody that makes it instantly catchy. It scores in all three vital departments – singing, music and lyrics – and turns out to be an enjoyable track that impresses once again in its ‘Club Mix’ version as well. This is the very track that was the point of attraction in the first place and does well in its entirety.
“Xulfi makes big splash of cherished moments in meticulously composed “Ye Pal”. After the stupendous success of “Laare Choote” (EK CHALIS KI LAST LOCAL), breathtaking vocals of Xulfi make a striking poise with breathtaking rhythm guitars strums, rigorous percussions, and slender chorals with melancholic violin works to usher out a “dreamy yuppie” feel. Soft and sonorous in sentiments, this youthful melodic presentation has beatific charm that can be felt in its tender violin notes and echoing vocal effects that serenades out an unending tranquility. Disco lights and scorching disco beat fillers sparkles out flamboyancy in air as mood ruptures into full bloom in “Ye Pal (remix)”. The resonating and bombastic DJ “club” thumps along with Xulfi`s hi-tempo adds substantial pep factor in making a funky track. If you are really for some freshness in sentimental tracks then “Ye Pal” has enough ire that can make mood merrier on any lovable evening. Youthful!!!”
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