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From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

Devotional Songs

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

1992

Devotional Songs
Album Summary

Devotional Songs is a studio album by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Party released in 1992. The music is Sufi devotional music known as Qawwali. The album was included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan PP (Punjabi: نصرت فتح علی خان; born Pervez Fateh Ali Khan; 13 October 1948 – 16 August 1997) was a Pakistani singer, songwriter, and music director. He was primarily a singer of qawwali — a form of Sufi devotional music. Sometimes called the "Shahenshah-e-Qawwali" (the King of Kings of Qawwali), he is considered by The New York Times to be the greatest qawwali singer of his generation. He was described as the fourth greatest singer of all time by LA Weekly in 2016. He was known for his vocal abilities and could perform at a high level of intensity for several hours. Khan is widely credited with introducing qawwali music to international audiences.

Wikipedia

Rating

2.61

Votes

11338

Genres

  • World

Reviews

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Mar 30 2023
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1

OK, I know I've bitched about the anglocentricity of this whole project. So I shouldn't complain too much when they branch out to something different. But damn, this sucks.

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Feb 14 2023
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5

I really loved this music and learning of the great esteem so many had for Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, especially, but not only, in Pakistan. It's always a little humbling to realize there's so much I'm not even aware of in this world. Turns out I have listened to him performing a different recording of "Allah Hoo" on the soundtrack to "Monsoon Wedding," which I played quite a lot when it came out. There he was all this time, and me not aware of who this artist was. I do feel a certain joy and contemplation while listening, which I think just hints at what really lies behind his music.

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Apr 17 2023
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4

The Spotify link actually leads to the double-release *Love Song* and *Devotional Songs*, called *Love & Devotion* for that reissue. But given Nustrat Fateh Ali Khan's protean discography, it's not a problem to spend a little more time with him anyway... I don't know much about the Qawwali school of music Khan was the grand master of, to be honest (I have another NFAK album at home, *Mustt Mustt*--one of his crossover collaborations with Michael Brook--but it's literally been *decades* since I listened to it). And obviously I can't understand the words Nusrat sang. Yet it's funny how "love songs" sounded like genuine "devotional songs" to me (and vice-versa). After I've listened to those two records, I've read some stuff online suggesting the two formats are actually deeply related to each other, so I wasn't that far off the mark, I guess. In a way, "love" and "devotion" are interchangeable here, even if the religious or romantic contexts behind them are not (and Khan would most certainly frown upon me for doing so). Oddly enough, I tend to prefer the instrumentation and harmonies displayed on *Love Songs*, even if critics more specialized and knowledgeable that I will ever be on the subject singled out *Devotional Songs* as the slightly superior album between the two. Whatever the case may be, it's a great experience to go through them one after the next... It's always odd to select a little bit of "global" music in a list clearly centered on the Western World. Maybe each continent could have its own 1001 albums list to enhance and praise different musical traditions from all around the world. I don't know if that's a good idea, but that could at least make up for the cultural bias of this particular list. No judging here, it's a bias that I personally share with Dimery and co., even if I know it's a flaw (admittedly an unavoidable one, wherever you come from). That being said, and to return to this particular double-release, I like this man's voice. And his music is rich, entrancing and far more varied in its harmonies (along with the different emotions it triggers) than the codified tradition it draws from lets on... 4/5. It's the sort of record that makes me eager to learn more, and there are not so many of them, are they? Since I've listened to that double-album, I've dug further, and found many gems by NFAK. Listening to them, I've come to realize that the lush orchestration and the edited versions of *Love And Devotion* have their charms and serve the songs right, but that some of the other live versions of those compositions out there are *way more* intense, just as they are longer and more adventurous. Feeling like I'm falling into a wonderful rabbit hole here. Thanks, Dimery and co. :) Number of albums left to review: 585 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 199 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 95 (including this one) Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 123

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Apr 17 2023
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1

If I had to torture someone for exactly 1.5 hours I would simply play them this album.

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Feb 10 2023
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4

The title doesn't lie here. I can hear the devotion in Khan's voice, and it's a major reason why the music is as good as it is. This is a deeply passionate collection of songs that shouldn't be overlooked by any fan of world music. Ali Khan's voice is an emotional beckoning.

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May 31 2023
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4

It made me want to get up and shuffle with my fist on my forehead.

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Feb 14 2023
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5

This was something new and different. I was a bit concerned that it might grow a bit tiresome, but it definitely did not. Outstanding!

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Feb 12 2023
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4

Nice to be exposed to it. Apparently it is called Qawwali . Very different than what I am used to, but at the same time, definitely not alien, there is a familiarity with it that transcends language. 3.5 but would give it 4 for the novelty.

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Apr 25 2023
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4

It's very difficult to find this. He appears to have recorded about eleventy million albums, a significant portion of them posthumously. Which is impressive indeed. What I've managed to find, I've enjoyed. So let's go for 4.

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Mar 03 2023
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5

Once you spend some time with it you see why it belongs on this list.

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Nov 30 2023
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5

This is a wonderful album, every song had me tuned in. I feel sorry for people who can’t appreciate this kind of thing. I’ve found that listening to something outside of your own language lets you connect on a deeper level to the music. I loved listening to this and will be back for more!

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Feb 17 2023
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4

You know, I don't know what they are saying in this music, nor do I really have much of an idea of how to describe it. It's really cool, though, how music can be so unfamiliar in terms of its language, structure, and instruments, and yet be so accessible. It's just a great listen, and Khan has an incredible voice 4/5

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Oct 25 2023
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4

Really interesting and unexpected. Beautiful.

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Nov 15 2023
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4

growing up on bollywood movies and music, sufi music like what's found in devotional songs is old hat to me! what is new to me, however, is nusrat fateh ali khan himself. he brought international recognition to qawwali music, sufi islamic devotional singing. despite dying quite young, his legacy lives on with how he continues to inspire young musicians today. from personal experience, this kind of music has appeared many, many times in south asian films since his death in 1997. his early death makes me wonder what kind of contributions he could've continued to provide to bollywood films! anyway, as far as this album goes, its music is serene and blissful. the vocals pack an emotional punch, even when you can't understand the lyrics. some may call this style of music repetitive, but religious singing always is--the singers want to express their love for their god(s)! outside of the singing, the instrumentation is good. using south asian instruments, the music has a consistent, rhythmic beat that acts as a trance. but since singing is the main focus of this music, it should be and is dominating over the instruments.

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Apr 05 2024
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4

As a lover of music, I can appreciate it. And the vocals are really great

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Jun 21 2023
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1

Got a headache about 25 minutes in. What a racket

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Feb 07 2024
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1

How can anyone give this anything other than 1 star? It's complete shite.

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Jul 01 2024
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1

Jag kan inte ta mig igenom det här. Hur kommer det sig att den här plattan finns med på listan och inte Levellers - Levelling the Land? Eller Rammstein - Mutter? Eller Kula Shaker - K? Eller Poesie Noire - Tetra? Eller The Neon Judgement - Horny as hell? Trisomie 21 - Million lights? 23 Till - Nöjd? Skinny Puppy - Rabies? Aimless Device - Hard to be Nice? Nationalteatern - Barn av vår tid? Melanie - Affectionately Melanie? Buffy Sainte-Marie - It's my way? Steeleye Span - Hark! The Village wait? Kite - VI? Simon Brehm - Big Simon? A Split Second - From the inside? Henric De La Cour - Henric De La Cour?

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Feb 14 2023
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5

This was a little unexpected. While maybe not my usual fare and not likely to become a part of my daily routine, I’m glad to have something like this appear on the list. Really great!

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Feb 14 2023
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5

I don’t know enough about this kind of music to say anything informed or intelligent about it but I liked it and could use a bit more love and devotion in my world.

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Oct 05 2023
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5

Very interesting rhythmically and melodically, hugely enjoyed this album and will definitely revisit!

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Dec 06 2023
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5

Was very surprised with this one. Absolute banger. Fully deserving of the 5/5

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Dec 11 2023
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5

true hero of African music, addictive music, can listen to this for days.

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Dec 31 2023
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5

Very powerful voice and hypnotic music i like it! caution, streaming services they had it as a double album called Love and Devotion Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Party. 5

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Jan 08 2024
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5

Great stuff! I wasn't too familiar with this specific album, but I love some of his other stuff, and have been a fan since he appeared in the "Natural Born Killers" soundtrack. Qawwali has a lovely hypnotic cinematic quality - I could happily listen to it all day. Fave track - "Ali Maula Ali Maula Ali Dam Dam" let's say, but it doesn't make a great deal of sense to pick individual tracks off this album...

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Jan 08 2024
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5

I also discovered Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan via the Natural Born Killers soundtrack and this is the first time I've really dug in since then. A great album each track awesome.

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Jan 21 2024
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5

Really beautiful stuff - an amazing singer and great band. I like some of his stuff with electronic beats a little better but this is really moving music.

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Feb 26 2024
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5

This is fantastic. Albums like this are why I started listening to this list. Never heard of this artist before. I'd like to be in a restaurant sitting on pillows, eating and listening to a band playing this type of music. This album makes me want to travel.

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Feb 26 2024
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5

The vocals are astonishing, soaring and elegant and powerful and the interplay between voice and percussion adds so many layers to the sound. I feel ill judged to rate this - however, I found it moving, catchy and incredible.

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Feb 28 2024
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5

where’s the gif of that white cat bobbing it’s head with its eyes closed. me af with these jams. this is absolutely the kind of thing i’d bump into just typing the names of random countries into spotify’s search but what a *voice* this man has. grateful to have been introduced to it. (and, admittedly, grateful to be listening to an artist from Anywhere But the US or the UK) the entry about this album in the book is a little weird.

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Mar 07 2024
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5

I first heard about Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan from Jeff Buckley who said that "he's my Elvis" and I always thought that was a very interesting way to put it. I never really liked Elvis and would take Nusrat any day. Wonderful music on this record. I get that it's not for everyone but I am glad to see it included here. Chances are anyone who is only vaguely familiar with qawwali music heard it from Nusrat. Unbelievable vocals on this album, though I can't understand what he's saying but you don't really have to. The man could sing. And the energy in this recording can really be felt. Even though I wouldn't listen to this all the time, I still have to give it 5/5 because it is a brilliant record that everyone should certainly hear at least once.

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Mar 09 2024
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5

I hadn't listened to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan for well over 25 years. Beautiful voice with music that makey mind travel

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Mar 25 2024
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5

I’ve never listed to this type of music before. Only heard it in the background of a restaurant. I have to say this was surprisingly entertaining and enjoyable. I can safely say that this is my favourite qawwali album of all time. Brilliant!

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Mar 27 2024
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5

I grooved to this all day long. Wish I could understand the language.

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Mar 30 2024
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5

I don't know what he's saying, but this man can take a single phrase, and spin infinite variations out of it. Splendid! Consider me devoted. 5 prayers up to the heavens out of 5

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May 01 2024
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5

Very powerful music- searching yet joyous.

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Jun 13 2024
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5

Love love love! Qawwali at its best. His voice is blues and opera swirling together.

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Jun 30 2024
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5

I was genuinely surprised how much I liked this.

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Jul 29 2024
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5

Uplifting and strikingly beautiful. I get why this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I could listen for hours. And some of these songs really do feel that long!

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Sep 02 2024
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5

Mesmerising, meditative and hypnotic music. The more I listened to it the more I got into it and thought I could listen to it for a few more hours. It may sound repetitive, but the song structures and singing are complex. I enjoyed it very much and I'm glad and album from Asia - Pakistan is included on this heavily American/UK-centric list. To any of those who hated this album: the world is extremely diverse musically and if someone does this challenge their ears and mind should be open to new sounds, even if it's not familiar to them and it's world music, which is very different from pop/rock/hip-hop/electronica. If it's quality - whatever the music comes from - it should be appreciated.

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Oct 09 2024
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5

Loved it, it felt like hearing someone wield their voice like a guitar and solo with it - that and just very pleasant listening with a great energy. Will happily listen again! :)

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Mar 01 2023
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4

Powerfully spiritual music performed by great musicians.

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Mar 08 2023
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4

Had no idea what to expect, but this was an excellent soundtrack for a day.

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Mar 23 2023
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4

Beautiful, but requiring further study.

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Mar 27 2023
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4

This album is not something I ever would have been exposed to save for this project. I don't know enough about this style of music to say much about it, but I did enjoy the gentle driving beats and Nusrat Feteh Ali Khan's voice, which I read had the ability to withstand hours of uninterrupted singing.

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May 03 2023
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4

I loved it!! I haven't listened to Nusrat's work before specifically but I have been getting more and more into this style of classical South Asian music (I know that's an insanely huge/broad category) I love this style of singing and instrumentation I think it's highly skilled and impressive. I enjoy the sounds and I am going to add this into my rotation plus spend more time exploring his wider body of work.

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May 17 2023
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4

This is super, super dope. Love the percussion. Makes me wanna spread my arms and paddle turn for my life. Whirling dervish! Gonna have to revisit this next time I'm playing a strategy game in this part of the world. Also I can't wrap my head around all the people in the reviews complaining about how they can't understand what he's saying. Bananas. Though I don't even really listen to lyrics until several times through even when it's in English. Just interesting (and a lil frustrating) to see the different ways people listen to music.

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May 27 2023
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4

A very impressive 45 minutes of music with a voice that carries power as well as gentleness.

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Jun 02 2023
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4

You're not exactly gonna put it on during your morning commute, but this album rips

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Jun 02 2023
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4

Considering this is a genre I’ve never listened to before from a culture i have relatively limited exposure to, I got a lot from this. Beautiful music if you sit with it. I think I would listen to this again!

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Jun 16 2023
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4

Wild and entertaining. 4 sitars.

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Jun 21 2023
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4

Very interesting, I love this music. Much of it sounds the same being I don’t speak the language but the music is beautiful.

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Jun 28 2023
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4

Wish there were more non-English/non-western albums on this list, always enjoy them when they pop up. The Spotify album the site links to is actually a double album which was probably a bit too much but enjoyed this one for being so different

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Jul 03 2023
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4

My only exposure to NFAK was on the Natural Born Killers Soundtrack which I loved. I thought his inclusion in the film was instrumental in raising the creep factor of that film. If not for that exposure I think I would've just skipped over this and chalked it up to weird fanatical music not worthy of my time... That is to say that I liked this album, I had it playing for about 45 mins., before I had to get up and turn it off. NFAK is gifted, I love his voice and the energy he exudes. The music is strange, repetitive and intriguing and will definitely listen again. However, an hour-and-a-half is really too much NFAK in one sitting.

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Jul 04 2023
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4

Fun, lively. I'm not super informed about this genre, but I enjoyed it while it was on. The performances, especially vocally, are fun and engaging. Favorite tracks: "Haq Ali Ali Haq", "Yaad-e-Nabi Gulshan Mehka"

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Jul 17 2023
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4

4.2 - Such a triumphant voice that’s both powerful and gravelly. He chants so confidently up and down the scales. I love the hand clapping, the call-and-response. This is a very human, very uplifting sound that can’t help but buoy the spirit.

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Jul 19 2023
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4

Quite inspirational music really. Its a culture shock yeah but what they do they do really well. I have no scale to measure how this compares to "lesser" sufi music so I have to be trusting !

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Jul 27 2023
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4

a surprising jam. so melodically complex.

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Aug 30 2023
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4

Kovat instrut ja siisti lauluääni. Taas kerran tykkään että listalla on jotain muutakin kuin brittirockia. 4/5

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Aug 30 2023
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4

Kaunis levy sisällön ja kannen osalta. Hienot vokaalit ja kauheet palkeet. Todella raikasta aina kuulla jotain muuta kun brittikamaa. Mutta pahus tämäkin on kokoelma! Noh... pirskatti. Musa on kyl kovaa! 4/5

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Sep 04 2023
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4

Something I would never have listened to without this albums list. Grateful for the chance to hear it!

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Sep 07 2023
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4

Screw in the light-bulb............ pat the dog..................... But no, this is why I love this thing - unlikely I would ever have come across this album in the course of my "normal" listening and it's a lovely lovely thing. Will it be a "go-to" in future? Unlikely. Am I pleased I heard it? 100%

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Sep 11 2023
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4

Totalement inattendu, mais vachement bien. Beaucoup aimé Ali Maula Ali Maula Ali Dam Dam, mais globalement toutes les instrus sont vachement bien la voix est vachement maitrisée, excellente découverte.

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Sep 20 2023
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4

New discovery for me. Spotify links to the double album release: "Love Songs" and "Devotional Songs", and it took a couple of songs before I had figured this out. From what I heard I liked the opening song of Love Songs the most - great beat - but Devotional Songs is excellent as well, close to 5 stars for me.

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Sep 22 2023
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4

Fun album, and I enjoyed it. This is the sort of thing where like, I was vibing the whole time, but never would think to turn it back on later. I don't know why that is. 3.5/5

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Sep 28 2023
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4

- Interesting and energetic. - A bit too distracting when trying to do other things.

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Sep 30 2023
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4

8/10. This was really cool, wasn't sure what this was gonna be like, but had a really good sound to it.

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Oct 20 2023
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4

I honestly really enjoyed these, I thought they were well crafted and would heavily enjoy listening to them again.

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Oct 20 2023
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4

There were some BOPS on this bad boy, I had a lot of fun.

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Oct 27 2023
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4

This was a very good album, especially for a style of music I'd never listened to proper before

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Nov 01 2023
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4

Now that's what I'm talking about! Every song on the album is exactly the same, but who cares when that one vibe is my jam?

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Nov 01 2023
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4

His music let in a little light on the darkness of my soul!

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Nov 02 2023
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4

Repetitive, meditative. Made for a pleasant work commute. Probably won't listen ever again but don't feel like I wasted the time.

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Nov 04 2023
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4

There's a wonderful nearly thirty-minute cut of Ni Main Jogi De Naal out there, and it's more live, too. Devotional Songs fits six pieces of downright reasonable length. The dynamics of Khan's voice are perceptible if not evident; The recordings provide a divinely sweet hint of the improvisation possible in Qawwali.

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Nov 15 2023
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4

Nice to see some world music on here. This album has some great beats and instrumentals. The vocals are madness. Like he going for it! And the backing group vocals are nice af too. Only getting four because it’s not really something I’m ever gravitated to listening to but it’s still fire

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Nov 19 2023
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4

I could listen to this all day. No clue what a meaningful rating would be, other than the singer has a strong voice.

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Nov 30 2023
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4

Next 5 songs played by my Spotify Algorithm: Mehdi Hassan - Ye Duhan Aabha Hanjura - Punjabi Folk Boliyan Mame Khan - Kesariya Balam Madhuri Sharma, NFAK - Mere Baad Kisko Sataoage (Lo-Fi) Abida Parveen - Dhundo Ge Agar Mulkon

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Dec 21 2023
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4

My gateway to discovering Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was Jeff Buckley's cover of "Yeh Jo Halka Saroor Hae" on the Live at Sin-é album. And as soon as I listened to "Love & Devotion" all those years ago I could immediately hear the influence in Jeff's music. Nusrat's huge voice is unlike anything I've ever heard, and the arrangements on this album are mind-blowing. This isn't an album, it's a journey!

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Dec 28 2023
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4

It's all very beautiful and great energy. A fun listen, but damn it was long! 4.5

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