A previously unheard album by the legendary Pakistani qawwali singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan will be released on September 20, 2024. Titled “Chain of Light,” the album was discovered in the archives of Peter Gabriel’s Real World Records, the label that signed Khan in 1989.
The album features four traditional qawwali (Sufi Islamic devotional) songs performed by Khan and his eight-piece ensemble. One of the tracks, “Ya Gaus Ya Meeran,” has never been heard before. The recordings were made in April 1990 at Real World Studios, during the same period Khan collaborated with Canadian producer Michael Brook on the acclaimed album “Mustt Mustt.”
Descended from a 600-year-old lineage of qawwali singers, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was instrumental in bringing the devotional music of Sufism to a global audience. His powerful yet precise vocals not only embodied the Sufi qawwali tradition but also the emotive essence of singing itself.
“Working with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was an unparalleled experience,” said Peter Gabriel. “His voice had the power to move you in ways few other musicians could. We are incredibly proud to have played a role in bringing his music to a broader global audience.
The excitement of finding this lost tape was palpable. This album truly encapsulates Nusrat at his best. It’s a must-listen.”The release of “Chain of Light” is supported in part by the British Council.
A documentary film on Khan’s life, titled “Ustad,” is also in the works and is scheduled to premiere in late 2025.
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