“Elements” represents a turning point in my compositional style. It displays a transition from straight jazz to modal jazz and eventually to jazz fusion with North Indian Classical music.

Many different genres of music can be heard here reflecting the varied influences of my life. All the compositions are based on Classical Indian parent scales (called thaats).

Working with thaats allows you to use the vocabulary of Indian Classical music without having to follow the strict rules of the rag.

As a result, the compositions are primarily melodic with mostly static harmonies.

1. Contemplation:
   Curiosity, a dreamy introduction to the journey, set in Kalyan Thaat . Harmonic and melodic embellishments on a traditional drone.
2. Jhoom Deewane:
   A celebration of life… rebirth…. composed originally as an instrumental, words and voices were added later and drums still later. Composed in Marva thaat with an added twist.
3. Sajan Bana
   Helplessly in love… a folk song in Bilawal thaat from the Jhang district, Punjab, which Irfan has rendered in his own special way.
4. Entrainment
   A vision to unite the world through a common rhythm… set in Marva thaat…. syncing of hearts and minds. A homage to the art of Qawwali.
5. Seek Peace
   The words used are taken from a sermon by Hazrat Ali… “Seek peace, wherever you go…”
6. Mahiya
   A folk song from the same area, treated with reverence to the rock music of my past.
7. Seven Heavens
   A journey upwards… searching endlessly. The music is composed in three sections with the Bhairvi in between two sections of Kalyan Thaat..
8. Heaven and Earth
   Man, standing on earth…. reaching out to the heavens…set in Kirwani
9. Elements
   Elements of music … building components… uniting of opposites.
10. Turn Inward
    When all else fails… the journey inward begins…
11. The Inner Sanctum
    Taking refuge… set in Bhairvi… peace is elusive still.
12. Atonement
    At-one-ment…. peace at last… set in Bhairon thaat.