Reviews (page 2 of 6)
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!
I hadn't listened to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan for well over 25 years. Beautiful voice with music that makey mind travel
neat Pakistani singer
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.
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.
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.
Dope ass album.
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.
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...
😄🍹👍🏻
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
ok holy shit
true hero of African music, addictive music, can listen to this for days.
Was very surprised with this one. Absolute banger. Fully deserving of the 5/5
Very interesting rhythmically and melodically, hugely enjoyed this album and will definitely revisit!
Thats a 5
Beautiful
cool
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.
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!
Generator ispoštovao mjesec muharrem i dao mi ilahije, hvala lijepo. Ako neko slučajno pročita ovaj komentar mislim da treba znati da je Nusrat nosio titulu "ostad". Prvi ostad s kojim sam se ja susrela je gospodin koji pravi prstenje na kom je oslikan cijeli svijet. Teško zamisliti ali istinito. Znači tako se nazivaju samo ljudi koji su istinski majstori svog zanata. Uklapa mi se i ovdje. Pravi majstor muzike. Da je bar više izvođača ilahija koji se ovoliko trude da ukupni proizvod bude izuzetno vrijedan i duhovno i po muzičkoj vrijednosti.
Virtuosity at an overwhelming level. Pretty potent, best absorbed in bite sized chunks. Makes me want to see it live.
Don't listen to this while driving.
This was my first time ever listening to Nusrat. I understood going into this album that Jeff Buckley had a deep affection for Nusrat and took a lot of inspiration from his music. I see so many similarities between this and Jeff Buckley. This is a beautiful microtonal (for western listeners) album that has a lot of substance. I see myself coming back to this album in the future, 4 stars.
Islamic religious music is not something I would expect from this list. The album, however, is a great collection of exotic music and, if you think of it, it is the exploration of new stuff that we are up to here. The most surprising on Devotional Songs was that the intro parts of most tracks sounded very Western, to an extent that were it not for a prior knowledge about the author, title and the content of the songs, one could easily expect it to develop as a work of mainstream Western music, and those parts sound really well. Then you have those repetitive spiritual singing parts, backing vocals, claps, and a set rhythm. Music from the album is well balanced in terms of being very moderate and never boring. Ali Khan brings some extended emotion at times, but it does not deprive the songs of that balance. Throughout the album, Ali Khan's style reminded me a lot of Indian/Hisduistic spiritual music. Still, qawwali is terra incognita to me, and I felt like this was a great introduction. I don't know what language of the album is, but I liked how the words are very short and you can recognize their spelling at times even though the only familiar word was "Allah". Favourite song: "Ali Maula Ali Maula Ali Dam Dam", but the opening "Allah Hoo Allah Hoo" is great and close to it. That being said, the record still has weaker tracks and its repetitiveness does not bring the same level of joy all the times. Still, that rhythmic approach of Ali Khan as a qawwali musician can be loosely compared with the beats as they are used in some electronic music genres. An overwall great work definitely deserving your attention to have this musical trip into realms not yet discovered.
I hadn't known about this artist, but was surprised that I'd heard this music before. It's cool to learn how much an impact he'd had on Sufi devotional music and greater South Asian musical genres. It's easy for westerners to forget how distinct Islamic tradition like Sufism is for a place like Pakistan, wholly separate in culture from Middle Eastern/North African nations, but still a vital element of Islamic traditional devotional music in a place like South Asia where music is an integral part of how India and Pakistan developed their cultures through music.
I can definitely not just hear, but FEEL the power of his voice. He’s emotive and exuberant. I think it was brilliant to also make sure there was some echo/reverb effects accompanying the voice (I’m not sure if that’s an after effect or just a result of where this was recorded). In a way, the reverb makes it all seem very other-worldly, or heavenly if you’re open to it. The near-halftime breaking of the rhythm pattern to end song one was a perfect touch. Song 2 “Halka Halka Saroor” threw some melodic arrangements at me that my westernized ears were super intrigued to hear. I lack the knowledge to speak on it beyond saying the progression of the melody and the harmonies of the instruments weren’t anything I was used to, and I really liked it. “Yaad-E-Nabi Gulshan Mehka” had the most euro-sounding progression to it, which was nice but not a song of note outside of that fact. My pick from this album might be “Haq Ali Ali Haq”, it felt the most tense and dynamic in its melody and its vocal delivery. Slight 4/5. While it gets a bit repetitive, the voice is undeniable and most of it is so joyous
This was a refreshing shift.
God I miss Devon Ave in Chicago.
Am I going to listen to this everyday, no. But it was beautiful and wonderful. I didn't understand exactly what he was saying, but it didn't matter. It was praising the earth, living and the beauty and joy in this world. I wanted to dance and just love the joy of life. It was long, but also not enough time to be thankful for life
This was long and kind of repetitive, but sometimes musical enjoyment is very situational. Because it was also a total vibe and a great listen laying in a hammock in the woods.
Gospel vibes. Fun music even when I can't understand the words the intent is clear!
Simply the story of Nusrat and his family is incredible, and the music shows the soul of a tradition that sounds perpetual and evergreen. Loved this!
De las cosas más interesantes que escuché. Me cuesta reseñar este álbum porque al ser de una cultura tan ajena en muchos sentidos es difícil calificar y compararlo con otras piezas. La verdad fue disfrutable y un poco me alegró, sentí mis raíces árabes (es de Pakistán pero bueno) aflorar.
Super vibey. I can see why Jeff Buckley was so inspired by this and I can see how Jeff worked this style into his own music
upps bin echli hinnedrii nachem greenfield und natürlich isches es 90 min album😍 find er het reeecht e cooli stimm OMG eifach churz en halftime usseghaue han gseh, dass nöd alli lieder uf Spotify sind, aber ich bin jz usnahmswiis z fuul und los jz halt nur öppe e stund vom nusrat hmm ich frög mich um was es gaht bi allah hoo allah hoo find de typisch "arabisch gsang" sooo schön und imene andere kontext ala ichs kenn au mega spannend! omg wo er d instrument "mitsingt", sooo fucking geil?? ali maula fucking banger he ganz ehrlich, mega cool! ich profitiere natürlich, dass ich nöd die gaaanze 90 min glost han aber hans echt tolli musig gfunde
Rate: 8/10.
One of the great things I’ve discovered so far doing this project is some of the music from different parts of the world that I never would’ve discovered on my own and this is another great addition to that list. It did take me a couple of tracks to get into it but once I did I enjoyed it more and more with every song. Top Track - Biba Sada Dil Morr De
This album was pretty hard to pin down - seems to be part of a compilation in the places I looked. Nevertheless, this guy has an exceptional voice and it's a joy to listen to. No favourite tracks per se, but just an amazing vibe all round.
Islamic spirituals??? Interesting. Whatever. Actually. Really awesome. “Allah Hoo” has the same melody as one of my favorite Jewish spirituals, that being “hallelu.” Though a bit repetitive it’s incredibly beautiful, and I have a definite soft spot for songs of divine devotion, especially when they’re as passionate as this. This guy’s voice… it’s beautiful, and powerful, and resounding. The song structures across the album are really nice and interesting as well, and keep me looking forward to the next song. It’s actually a really dynamic album, which I didn’t at all expect. Each song is beautiful, and I really enjoy it as a whole, as well as song to song. 8.5/10
Interesting music, fun to listen to, though it gets a little samey after a while. It does get mixed with some foreign influences in the instrumentation, which I liked. An interesting experience. 3.5/5
I'm not completely sure I listened to the right tracks, but I think I did! Apart from finding each individual track quite long, I enjoyed this: I liked the blend of voices and instruments, the energy, and the fervour. I also enjoyed seeing my husband, who lived in Pakistan for a while, dancing round the living room to it.
fräls mig
Älskade texterna. hihihi
Great voice
This is pretty cool (the version on YouTube).
Great voice, banging instrumentation. Love it.
Das macht Spaß!
Something different I wouldn’t have heard without this list. I thought it was really good. And every song was unique to itself, they didn’t all blend together like I feared they might. 4/5
His voice is powerul and captivating. The passion certainly shines through. The music is simple but melodic. The songs drag on a bit. Not something I would listen to actively but not opposed to it by any means.
Legendary!!
One of these albums here on this list you simply must rate highly. Simply because it is not one of the many USA/UK albums. If you are not familiar with Qawwali music ... this is a good point to start. And if you like it or not, doesn't really matter, since now you know what you are talking about.
When this album started, I thought I was going to turn it off after one song. But I ended up really enjoying and appreciating it, incredibly impressive and layered work.
I probably won't listen to this album too often, but I'm really glad I got to hear it. Really cool music to listen to, and there's so much talent that must've went into this. Favorites: Yaad-E-Nabi Gulshan Mehka, Haq Ali Ali Haq,
Very interesting album, this is why I joined the project, there's no way I would have listened to an album like this on any other day, but it's fascinating world music. the hypnotic rhythmic patterns and call and response vocals are quite captivating.
Worth a listen. Great sound.
I have very little context for this music and so I'm evaluating it entirely on the strength of NFAK's voice. So it's a testament to his musical powers I loved listening to this album. If he can move me, with little knowledge of what this music is about or for, so strongly, it must say something about his artistry. NFAK's voice is captivating. "Haq Ali Ali Haq" and "Mast Nazron Se Allah Bachae" are absolute bangers.
It's actually really cool, there's a lot of Western influence in the chord changes and the Spanish sounding guitar parts and his very bluesy voal phrasing, but it's all underpinned by the hypnotic and almost droning percussion and instrumentation. I'm not sure it would be a daily listen for me, but the songs are pretty catchy and it definitely created a mood
about 20/25 yrs ago I started listening to him, but probably haven't since - this was glorious
I’m genuinely uncomfortable grading this album. I don’t have the cultural or religious context to understand why this is considered important other than the artist is considered the King of Qavvali. It was definitely different than anything I am typically exposed to and enjoyed it, but I doubt I would ever seek this out again.
Ecstatic! And totally different from anything else. The singer is so talented, and I can still hear the hand clapping.
Somewhere deep in the liner notes to a Pearl Jam album, probably No Code, is written the following short poem, I was here but now I'm gone Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan That is all I knew of this artist going in, that at one point he was one place and then wasn't, probably because he relocated. I'd say relocation is pretty close to a universal experience. I love it when 'world music' comes along and reminds me of what it means to be truly human! What isn't a universal experience is getting up on a Thursday and listening to Qawwali music while making breakfast. It is very good breakfast-making music.
J'ai trouvé ça ben smooth. Un peu répétitif mais très plaisant la musique orientale microtonale. Un des employés Sikh de la pharmacie a entendu jouer ça dans mon bureau et est rentré ébahi dans mon bureau en me disant: 'je pensais que j'avais accroché mon cellulaire et que c'était ma musique qui jouait'
I've never heard these particular songs, but I've heard other ones by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Such a unique and amazing voice, love him. I understand only conversational Hindi and no Urdu, so I could only understand a few words, but I love the energy he brings. Had a lot of fun listening to this one. Best song: Yaad-E-Nabi Gulshan Mehka
Lovely calming music. Really like it.
Took awhile to find as it's not on Apple Music (found it on Youtube) I know nothing of Qawwali so this is speaking in a secular way- he's got a beautiful voice and the music is joyful
Had me head bopping the whole way through traffic
There are 12 tracks, but the track lengths are all either 7:16, 7:18, 7:24, 7:57, or 8:01. Is there a significance to that? I don't know and it doesn't actually matter. The album itself is interesting, and I can see why Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is counted among the greatest voices/singers of all time. Despite it falling well outside my typical musical fare--can't say I listen to much Sufi Islamic devotional singing--I enjoyed it enough to merit a low 4/5.
Learned about him when he worked on Dead Man Walking soundtrack and worked with Eddie Vedder. Always enjoy his music.
takes me back to all the family events
Bro begint opeens te scatten in Yaat-E-Nabi Gulshan Mehka. Nu weer op Ali Maula Ali Maula Ali Dam Dam. Ik ga hier gewoon erg goed op
Like most folk, I went into this album rather blink, and expecting some of the usual critically-lauded, but TOO alien to enjoy niche music. But, I was entranced. OK, it's very different from "western" music, after a few songs I was enjoying it. Well worth a listen.
I don’t listen to this genre of music often but I really liked this album!
I love qawwali music, so I was really pleased (and surprised) when this one came up. I knew a couple of tracks already from another Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan record that I've got that I think is a comp, not sure because it's been ages since I played it! Must do that more often. 4/5 because while I wouldn't play it all the time, it's really wonderful and mesmerizing music.
𝘋𝘦𝘷𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘴 works as a powerful introduction to Qawwali: long, unfolding performances built on call-and-response vocals, harmonium drones and steady hand-clap rhythms. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s voice is the center of gravity — urgent, elastic and spiritually charged — and the ensemble’s repetitions are meant to build intensity rather than variety. That structure can feel repetitive over time, but when it hits, it creates a deep, meditative pull that’s unlike almost anything in Western music. As an entry point into the tradition, the album shows why Nusrat’s presence was so transformative, even if the extended cycles demand patience.
Pretty sick
29
Cool
yes, cool
Maybe I’ll become Sufi
Indian sounding music. Pretty good.
Nice.
An album of Qawwali, (which is a form of Sufi Islamic devotional singing originating in South Asia), by one of its masters. Very relaxing.
Listening to Devotional Songs by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, I’m happy to see that the 1001 list doesn’t stay inside a fully western bubble. A few reviews ago I had Miles Davis’ electrifying music from the 70s, and I can’t help making a comparison. Qawwali and Miles’ 1970s period sit at opposite poles of the same musical instinct: pushing a single idea toward transcendence. Miles has the electric and the chaotic, while Khan has the spiritual and the hypnotic ascent. Each reaches the sky in their own distinctive way. Miles reaches for cosmic chaos, while Khan moves through devotional, skyward flow. Both rely on trance and improvisation, but Miles builds his trance through groove and electricity, while Khan builds it through unity, voice, and devotion. Miles works with a broader and more complex musical architecture; Khan reaches depth through minimalism and complex vocal tonality. That contrast in perspective is what I’ve been noticing throughout this 1001 challenge. Both Davis and Khan take me on explorative journeys of enjoyment, but at the end of the day, it’s the Miles Davis vehicle I enjoy slightly more. Davis had a five from me. Khan will have a four.
Absolut unerwartet gut
Nusret once toured with Houmous & Chutney. He made the best Naan Breads we ever tried! I’m fact, Len Houmous wrote ‘Na-na-na-na-naan way mate’ about them. 3.5 5/9 Allah Hoo Allah Hoo
# In-Depth Review – “Devotional Songs” (1992) **Artist:** Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Party **Label:** Real World / Caroline (original CD) **Core repertoire:** Punjabi / Urdu qawwali & Sufi hymns re-cut for Western ears --- ## 1. Lyrical Universe – what is actually being sung? | Track (transliterated) | Poetic source | Key images & Sufi code-words | |------------------------|---------------|------------------------------| | Allah Hoo | Traditional na‘t | Tawhid (oneness of God) – the single word becomes a mantra | | Haq Ali Ali Haq | Amir Khusran-inspired | “Haq” (Truth/God) and “Ali” (ideal devotee) fused into a single chant of surrender | | Ali Maula | Bulleh Shah / Punjabi folk | Karbala metaphor – the martyr’s suffering as mirror for ego-death | | Shahbaaz Qalandar | 13th-c. saint Lal Shahbaz | “Dama dam mast qalandar” – ecstatic intoxication, breaking of social ranks | | Ni Main Jogi | Khusrau doha | Lover becomes “jogi” (ascetic) for the Beloved; bridal mysticism | **Translation quality:** Real World printed only short English paraphrases; hence many Western listeners treat the voice as “pure sound,” missing the dense inter-textuality (references to Qur’anic Arabic, Persian ghazal, Punjabi kafi). **Result:** The album works on two levels—semantic for South-Asian listeners, timbral-trance for everyone else. --- ## 2. Musical Architecture – why it feels hypnotic - **Call-and-response grid:** Nusrat sets a refrain (sākin) → choir (ḥamd) answers in parallel 4ths/5ths → tabla enters on muqabil (off-beat 7/8 or 8/8 cycle). - **Climax science:** He climbs a perfect 4th every chorus, lands on a reinforced falsetto (taṭkār) at roughly 130–135 bpm—exactly the tempo window that triggers “auditory driving” in EEG studies. - **Modal choices:** Mostly Khammaj & Bhairav thāts (Mixolydian / Phrygian), modes historically tied to both Hindu bhajan and Muslim ṣūfīāna; hence cross-confessional familiarity. - **Western tweak:** Harmonium is double-tracked and lightly chorused; tabla & dholak are close-mic’d, giving a punch normally absent in sub-continental field recordings. --- ## 3. Production Aesthetics – Real World house sound **Producer:** Michael Brook (also on *Mustt Mustt*). **Studio:** Real World, Box, England, winter ’91. **Chain:** Neve 8108 desk → AKG 414 on harmonium → Schoeps CMC5 spaced pair for hand-claps → Lexicon 224 reverb printed sparingly. **Pros:** - Clean but not sterile; retains 30 dB of dynamic range—rare for 1992. - Stereo width places Nusrat dead-centre, choir L-R at 60 %, giving the “surround” feel without fake Dolby. **Cons:** - Edits are tight (4–7 min tracks vs. 20-min live versions); purists miss the slow alaap build. - Reverb tail occasionally too 80s-shiny, softening the transients of the hand-claps. --- ## 4. Themes & Spiritual Narrative Arc | Phase | Tracks | Sufi concept | |-------|--------|--------------| | Praise | Allah Hoo, Ali Maula | Tawhid & maqām al-qaṣīdah (praise station) | | Yearning | Ni Main Jogi | ʿIshq-e-majāzī → ʿishq-e-ḥaqīqī (metaphorical to real love) | | Ecstasy | Shahbaaz Qalandar | Fanāʾ (ego annihilation) | | Repetition | Haq Ali Ali Haq | Ḏikr (remembrance) – the loop as spiritual technology | The sequencing therefore mirrors a miniature semāʿ (Sufi ceremony), making the LP playable as one continuous ritual rather than a collection. --- ## 5. Influence & Afterlife - **World-music market:** First qawwali album to hit #1 on Billboard World chart (1992), paving way for *Mustt Mustt*’s club remixes and the “Asian Underground” (e.g., Nitin Sawhney, Asian Dub Foundation). - **Rock citations:** Jeff Buckley called Nusrat his “Elvis,” interpolated “Yeh Jo Halka” live; Eddie Vedder sampled *Shahbaaz Qalandar* cadence in *Dead Man* soundtrack. - **Academic uptake:** Ethnomusicologists (Qureshi, Wolf) use the record to demonstrate how “religious music” can be repackaged as “secular trance,” raising questions on cultural translation vs. commodification. --- ## 6. Pros & Cons at a Glance | Pros | Cons | |------|------| | Gateway drug to qawwali—short, hi-fi, melodic | Heavily edited; misses the 45-min live build-up | | Cross-cultural modal choices invite non-Desi ears | Liner-note translations too skimpy—loss of semantic depth | | Nusrat at peak vocal power (1991 voice still agile) | 80s reverb sheen dates certain tracks | | Rhythmic clarity lets Western drummers study asymmetrical cycles | Harmonium double-tracking can feel “stacked” vs. organic acoustic set | | Spiritual themes remain intact despite market tailoring | Purists prefer un-mic’d Mehfil recordings for “authentic” buzz | --- ## 7. Verdict “Devotional Songs” is neither the rawest nor the most scholarly entry in Nusrat’s massive discography, but it is arguably the most influential transfusion of Sufi ecstasy into global pop consciousness. Think of it as a perfectly trimmed bonsai: you lose the forest’s wild density, yet gain a living sculpture that fits on any modern shelf. Spin it loud; let the refrains loop; read a side-by-side translation later—the poetry will feel even larger than the voice.
world music
very interesting & surprising
Très cool mais très long
Ah, somthing other than crappy 70s and 80s British pop/rock. 4 stars for vocal quality and musical genre diversity.
Islam is pretty cringe overall, but this qawwal stuff is alright innit? First heard about Nusrat years ago through that warbly, yodeling fella what drowned. The Buckley kid.
Some “world” music making it int the list. I hate that term for such a diverse array of music that falls outside of Western norms. I’d only heard his collab on 7 Seconds (owned the single on cassette tape!) and that’s all I knew going in. I enjoyed it more than expected. Could only listen via YouTube, so I’m missing depth in the mix. The instrumentation and vocals are insane. Not an album I’d put on high rotation, but very happy to have been exposed this once. 4 stars.
I really love listening to eastern rhythms and this has been one of my favorite studies.
Enjoyed this. Yes, the tracks are probably all a couple of minutes longer than necessary, but I like how the momentum builds to a devotional frenzy on many of them. It’s very melodically pleasing too. So I’ll rate it highly because it’s good, because it’s a horizon-expanding new discovery for me, and because I think it’s been harshly scored by others. And because just look at that those magnificent chubby cheeks!
First things first, if you're listening to the two disc version on streaming platforms, the album from the generator is actually disc 2. Start there and go back to disc 1 if you like. It's an entirely different album. Next, let's talk about variety in this generator. The majority of the list is obviously Anglo-American rock, with the greatest percentage being 70s rock. When we get the odd album from Pakistan, it feels like a small token for the sake of diversity. I'm all for the (so called) world music on the list, but it always raised the question, why this album and not others? A quick read of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's Wikipedia page gives a hint that he had a lot of admirers in the West. Collaborations with names like Peter Gabriel, Eddie Vedder and (posthumously) Alanis Morissette no doubt contributed to this artist having a higher profile worldwide. But I don't want to discount how absolutely beautiful this album actually is. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was called the "King of Kings of Qawwali". Very high praise, but what is qawwali? It's a form of devotional music in Sufism. Listening to this album, I imagined (based on my admittedly very limited knowledge of Sufism) the trans-like dance of dervishes and meditative landscapes of the Indian subcontinent. The whole album is lush and calming. The vocal performances are what really stand out though. Khan's voice is powerful, complex, and positive, like he's warding off evil with his words. He was evidently known for being able to sustain these performances for hours, which is hard to appreciate in recorded form where the songs are relatively short. But you can definitely feel the emotive force of his voice throughout. "Devotional Songs" has been a very pleasant surprise for me. I'd have to be in the right mood but I can definitely see myself revisiting this one.
great music to do work to
I gotta see what else is 1) foreign language and 2) worldly niche musical style. I honestly have no idea why this is on here. I don’t know of anything else comparable yet. Is it a gag to piss off non-Muslims? Was the book British? This man can sing, but it’s like a meme album on this list. Inflating its score for posterity and to help a brother out.
Really enjoyed this music and getting a chance to learn a bit about Qawalli music in general.
As with most world music that is completely new and foreign to me, I was expecting I'd enjoy the experience of listening to the album more than I enjoy the music itself, but that absolutely wasn't the case here. The rhythms and chanting are absolutely hypnotic and I was immediately drawn in to the songs. I could only find the combined Love & Devotion album that includes the album Love Songs on the first half and Devotional Songs on the second. I figured I'd start with Devotional Songs first since it's the album on the list, but enjoyed it so much that I went back and listened to Love Songs too. Then reading through his Wiki, I saw mention of more experimental, fusion work like Mustt Mustt and knew I had to give that a shot as well. I've got to say, Mustt Mustt absolutely deserves to be on this list too. It's an incredibly cool East meets West fusion that works surprisingly well. The same hypnotic singing and rhythms, but with some jazzy guitar and bass. That said, I wouldn't replace Love & Devotion on the list with Mustt Mustt as I think the more traditional side of Love & Devotion should be acknowledged as well. Honestly, this has been a great rabbit hole to explore! I'm going on to listen to Night Song next! I'm giving this entry on the list at least 4 stars based on this rabbit hole exploration alone! Also, aside from the music, the album covers for Love & Devotion, Mustt Mustt, and Night Song are amazing!
3.5
3.5
*Devotional Songs* I am not familiar with the Qawwali genre at all. I know I've heard a few things in passing throughout the years mainly in either the context of world music or my days of hanging out at Pier 1 Imports, but I've never really listened to an entire album or delved into the genre. I actually found it very energetic and freeing . Reminds me of kind of what I like about jam bands in that it feels off the cuff and that the group is playing off of each other. I'm not sure if I could really get into a specifics over what it is that really endeared me to this, but I kind of want to look into this artist and this genre a little bit more just to see where it takes me. (8.2) ★★★★
absolutely delightful
Interesting, need headphones, would listen again
Kinda music I want to stop and get asked about on the street
Very interesting to listen to
0909 23:43 3.5
Intense, passionate, searching and (yes, editors) sexy – this works remarkably well as religious/spiritual music, including for non-believers.
Just really a good sound. Without being able to understand lyrics the dynamics and variety make this a sound listen. 4 Star. And yeah better than listening to Radiohead.
Some songs were exceptional, most okish
This album is why I'm happy i've devoted nearly 500 albums into this project. Without it, I never would have heard Pakistani devotional music. While it probably won't make my end of the year list, I'm happy to have heard it and added it to my library. 3.5/5
“He’s my Elvis.” - Jeff Buckley. Amazing-though definitely need to be in the mood for some long jams.
22/1089 my first non-english language album in this challenge and it’s also a language i’m unfamiliar with! Generally i’m really not into religious/faith-based music but since i don’t understand the lyrics i can probably get around that. Since Spotify only lists the dual album ‘Love and Devotion’ I’m going to listen to the Devotional Songs first and only rate them but I’ll probably go back and listen to the Love Songs too from the opening strings I can tell that i’m pretty sure I’ll enjoy this one. Allah Hoo Allah Hoo had a really nice consistent rhythm and pace, i love his vocal style. I could definitely see myself adding this to my ‘background music to read to’ collection. Yaad-E-Nabi Gulshan Mehka has such a beautiful sound and vibe to it Haq Ali Ali Haq was a really good listen, and i like the intensity of Ali Maula Ali Maula Ali Dam Dam i’m such a sucker for the deep, thumpy drums common in south/south east asian music, especially with some plucky strings over the top This was a really nice and interesting listen, I know the list overall is pretty english-/west-centric but this is exactly the sort of thing I want to be discovering. faves: Haq Ali Ali Haq, Mast Nazroon Se Allah Bachhae least faves: Ne Main Jana Jogi De Naal if i had to choose, it had some really nice parts but clicked the least sonically. 4 stars or
I’ve listened to Mustt Mustt before which is way more Western-tinged, and I honestly enjoyed this one way more. Much more interesting even if it can be just as repetitive, which I don’t think is a flaw.
4/5
This album reminds me of the time my Serbian friend Milos drove me to a Death Grips concert in San Francisco. We pile into his old, brown Mercedes-Benz with a orange leather interior. The ignition sputters on and the car grumbles to life, opening the vents and blasting hot air into the car (Milos always kept the car a hellish temperature, for whatever reason). As I settle in to the soft leather seat, I hear chanting mixed in with the hum of the engine and fsssh of the forced air. It's an album of Hare Krishna chants. He raises the volume with a twist of a cracked knob and we roll into the darkening streets of Palo Alto. We drive in moderate silence for about an hour, only occasionally reflecting on the work day before, a movie we were interested in seeing (he made me watch "A Serbian Film" at one point, would not recommend), but were mostly silent under the mantra: "Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare" endlessly looping. I remember being taken aback initially. Milos was most certainly not any form of Buddhist, and at the time I felt that the music was mellowing out the vibes I wanted to feel before the DG show. But in the end we were both transfixed. We park downtown and attend the concert which was fast-paced, phenomenal and LOUD. I left the show mostly unscathed (just a fall or two in the mosh). Milos developed a diagnosis of tinnitus, expected to be lifelong. We drove home in a dark silence. In the subsequent weeks we saw each other less and less, then inevitably both moved away and never spoke again. This album elicited those memories in a palpable way. While the context, culture and music is different than the Hare Krishna album above, the goal is to be enveloped by the music to be taken to a place of thought and reflection. Nusrat Fateg Ali Khan certainly did that. And while it's not a perfect album, his voice is beautiful and impactful and I believe he achieved his purpose. 4/5
Vibrant. Beautiful. The density of sounds and the quality of voice is truly unmatched. Incredible.
I never would have listened to something like this without the 1001 albums challenge. I was mesmerized.
Enjoyed the vibes. Would go hard in King of Spice.
I saved a couple songs. I really liked it.
Swing la bacaisse dans l'fond d'la boîte à bois.
Sort of a tricky one and one of the difficulties (and joys!) of exploring world music. This music exists entirely in a context that is foreign to me. Sufi devotional music? In a language I can’t even pretend to begin to comprehend? Oof. So what I like is that, I could probably tell this is devotional music if I went into this blind, there is a joy radiating the whole thing, and Khan has an amazing voice, he really has some amazing solo parts where he’s clearly flexing, it’s great.
Personal enjoyment: 4/5 Relevance to this list: 5/5
This was a really good surprise. I wasn't familiar at all with Pakistani music or Qawwali in general, however I really enjoyed this album. Great melodies, vocals, up tempo rhythms and percussion patterns throughout. It actually reminded me of some of the West african griot music. 3.5/5 raising to a 4.
This is actually pretty easy for me to listen to. I wish I knew what they were saying cause I think that would add to it. Anyways its fun.
VERY outside of my usual listening but it's pretty good. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan I believe is the vocalist and is incredibly impassioned and emotional in his delivery. It's actually pretty cool and I might try out more of this! 8/10
Vibes
Although I don't technically understand what Khan is singing, I sense through his incredible vocal performances that his passion and *ahem* devotion are strong and sincere. From a melodic standpoint, I found this album to be a lot "hookier" (it feels strange applying that word to this style of music) than some of the other non-Western albums I've received for this project, and despite some of the song lengths, not nearly as repetitious. Overall, I quite enjoyed this, and think it could grow on me if I took the time to familiarize myself more with qawwali. 3.5/5
i dug that immensely…i really really REALLY like the drumming patterns in south asian (or hindustani??) music—the tabla i guess is what i’m referring to here—i love how intricate and nimble they are. and i like the droning quality of the sustained vocals. idk how to describe it i just like it<3
that was really beautiful even though it looks like some of the songs are not available on spotify (and I didn't look for them elsewhere). I was excited to recognize "Allah Hoo Allah Hoo" as the same tune and similar phonetics to the Jewish prayer "Hallelu", identifying the similar musical origins in both cultures. I did not look up the translation of the lyrics for every song, but I chose "Yaad-E-Nabi Gulshan Mehka" to look into because that one was my favorite. Google Translate didn't do it justice so I found a translation with a few lines from the song that were much more poetic: ‘Remembrance of the Prophet feels like a fragrant garden / How sweet the name of Muhammad feels Beloved Prophet / remembering you feels beautiful to us’. Fav tracks: Yaad-e-Nabi Gulshan Mehka
Note - this album is on Tidal as the second disc of the compilation "Love and Devotion". I'd never really connected with him when listening before, but I put this on my headphones during a bus ride and just spaced out. Beautiful, trance-like pieces. Unusual melodies for a western listener but no so unusual as to be off putting. I can see why Jeff Buckley was a fan - the power behind some of the notes is astonishing. Perhaps the lack of lyrical understanding on my part is what prevents it from being a 5, but still a genuinely enjoyable listen and one I'll be coming back to.
Great Asian citar tunes
I was not familiar with the world's 4th greatest singer of all time according to the LA Times, but I'm glad to know him. Inspired a rewarding trip to YouTube.
Surprised at how much I liked this. Not an everyday listen but it definitely is quality.
I really need to put more World Music in my life. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was a pretty amazing vocalist, and I can see why every song is pretty much over 7 mintues, as his voice puts you in a kind of trance. Woh Hata Rahe Hain Pardah nice opener to the album. Allah Hoo Allah Hoo is just a fun song. Haq Ali Ali Haq is another good sing along, probably will have that one stuck in my head later.
I enjoyed this.
its lit
I found this music entrancing. Just lovely.
I don't know anything about this type of music, but I think it's pretty good. 4 stars or B+.
the music of a sweaty summer afternoon in South Asia, waiting for your relatives to prepare dinner. There's something hypnotic and peaceful about these tracks. I suspect some of them, if sampled correctly, could lead to some quality world music EDM. 3.5/5
Okay, so I fully went into this thinking, "There's no way I'm gonna like this. Pakistani music? Nah." But I listened to it, and after I got through the first track, the final 20 seconds of the second track made me sit up in my seat. Then, my ears tuned in, and man I have no idea what they're saying on any of these tracks, but they put nothing but passion into it and you feel it. I loved every song after the first one. Don't let the runtime scare you, this one is very very good.
A good album and very different from what I usually listen to. I liked the style and rhythm of the music.
Like a lot of folks here, I first heard of this artist through Jeff Buckley's Live at Sin-é album. Unfortunately, I never investigated further, but I remember thinking if Jeff liked this artist, he must be something special. I was right to think that. This album is certainly in my top 5 of the albums on this list I had never heard before. Normally, I'm not much of a fan of "world music," but I am very much enjoying listening to this. Cool depth, texture, instrumentation, vocals, and just the vibe in general. Super glad I listened to this
Listening to NFAK, one has not much idea of what one's listening to (other than it's being called qawwali and being linked to Sufism [which one has always sorta dug without {again} knowing too much about it]). But what one hears are a deep spiritual yearning and a reaching for what can only surmise is an elevated plane of union with the lord. Editors are right, it's sexy, too. The seeming sincerity and commitment ("seeming" because how can one know another's heart, even through his voice) and intensity provides insight into why the dervishes spin. The technique seems astonishing, too, though of course one can't say if its historically accurate or dogmatically appropriate or technically innovative in any particular way. Certainly it creates a meditative mood. This is warmer, more tuneful and less austere (and perhaps a tick less captivating therefore) than the later works, the folky and flamenco flourishes adding accessibility, too. Perhaps most amazing of all: he sings with this power and passion whilst sitting down if the various YouTube concert videos are to be believed.
Immediately flew into my top 10 qawwali albums of all time! Great voice and unlike some other Asian traditional arrangements there is an inherent rhythmic quality in Devotional Songs that makes this an enjoyable listen.
tranceful and hypnotic
Not My fav fateh ali but still a good one. The qawalli vibe in general tickles my brain in the right ways Also the lungs on this dude... rest in peace
I'm not really sure I actually listened to the correct thing here, conflicting information on various sites left me in doubt, but I listened to an hour or so of this guys songs and by the end I was loving it. Not sure I'd come back but it was fun while it lasted.
Coming to this genre completely cold (aside from where his vocals have been used by Peter Gabriel) makes this hard to judge So all I can really say is this is an extraordinary sound and vocal performance
I was already slightly familiar with Nusrat from Jeff Buckley's awkward cover of Yeh Jo Halka Suroor Hai on Live at Sin-e. Not that this is something I listen to often, but I really do appreciate the meditative nature of these songs. I'm sure there's a lot of generalization and simplification of Sufi culture in my understanding of it, but it's hard to deny the beauty of their art.
Dit klinkt mij eerder traditioneel in de oren dan dat het een popalbum is. Er staan ook geen Twentse boerenliederen, Gregoriaanse gezangen of opera's van Mozart in. Dus waarom wel dit Pakistaanse gekweel en getrommel? Het is wel leuk om een keer kennis van te nemen hoor, drie kwartier aanstekelijke happy clappy mantra's, en dus ben ik mild met het cijfer, maar ik vind dit eigenlijk niet in de lijst thuishoren.
Traditional qawwali music by Pakistani singer. Surprisingly catchy tunes made for an enjoyable listen. Standouts are "Biba Sada Dil Morr De" and "Ni Main Jogi De Naal".
Really makes you *feel* like the titular "the Alchemist" from Paulo Coelho's famous book "The Alchemist" describing the escapades of “the Alchemist”; not to be confused with the “Fullmetal Alchemist” from Hiromu Arakawa’s manga “Fullmetal Alchemist,” which describes the escapades of the titular “Fullmetal Alchemist.” Thank you to the Sufis for not banning music, this shit slaps. 🙏🙏
Nice find
"Devotional Songs" is a studio album by Pakistani singer-songwriter and music director Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. He is know as the greatest qawwali (Sufi Islamic Devotional singing) singer of his generation. He became known to a larger Western audience through Peter Gabriel's Real World label and his performance at the 1983 WOMAD festival in London. He also worked with Eddie Vedder on two songs for the film "Dead Man Walking." "Allah Hoo Allah Hoo" opens the album. Acoustic instruments and a repeating and hypnotic beat created by handclaps and tabla. Very happy sounding. A chorus of various voices and rising above everything is Khan's soaring voice. "All Maula Ali Maula Ali Dam Dam" slows it down a bit. Still the same instruments and musical vibe. This song starts with a more melancholy feel and just builds with the backing singers and louder handclaps. Outstanding. The album closes with "Ni Main Jogi De Naal." This is a singalong with Khan singing a line and the chorus repeating. Simple hanclaps, tabla and a single acoustic instrument. They sound like they are having a blast. This song belongs in a Disney movie...maybe, it already is. This music on this album is hypnotic, uplifting and very enjoyable. At times, there's a Middle Eastern flair to it. Various acoustic instruments accompanied by repetitive hypnotic beats. Khan's soaring voice is just magical. Understanding the language is not necessary to feel his emotion. Outanding vocal arrangements in addition to Khan's vocals. This is an album that everyone will like.
Thanks to a kind redditor for pointing out that this album IS available on Apple Music if you search for Love and Devotion by "Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Party." The second disc is this album. This is almost a jarring experience since it's so different from everything else on the list. You know what, though? I really enjoyed it. The songs were a little long for me but I have no other complaints. I found this calming to listen to.
What a great singer. I love to read all the positive things about this guy and his live performance. I never listened to an album like this but I really enjoyed it. Have to say that I didn't listened to the entire album but a good hour of it.
Awesome voice
8th Century Islamic Chants? Yes please!
Moody and magical if you listen to it in the right conditions…. For me it was a stroll during a Catalan sunset - and I can imagine it’s quite special in unfamiliar conditions. However I didn’t warn up to it every time I put it on - strange how it works.
That was pleasant.
Huge shout out to my brother for finding this on Apple, not sure why they are trying to hide it under other artist names. As good as I’d hoped it to be, a very methodical singing that at times could get repetitive but was still great. A double LP at an hour and a half with longer tracks, too, a bold play.
I don't know how to rate this one. I likely won't listen again, but I enjoyed it.
Beautiful. Wish I understood the form better.
Melodic dance music in Hindu with vocal harmony. Great energy. Not something I’ve heard before. Quite an adventure. Well done.
Might have given it 3/5 but ended up with 4/5. Average rating is not fair IMHO. I liked it and am happy that this found it's way on the list. There is more out there than just musicians from the UK, some other European countries and the USA ;)
Lots of Love and Devotion in these.
"Yeh Jo Halka Saroor Hae" and "Yaad-E-Nabi Gulshan Mehka" are the stand out tracks.
Sufi music from Pakistan. There's a rich culture to explore here with Sufism and song, particularly in the context of devotionals (as the title of the album indicates). Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was a particularly prominent singer of qawwali, which blended sufi music with Hindustani classical music, making great use of the Indian harmonium and tabla. Of course, the real focus here is the voice. Khan's vocal delivery is strong and with great purpose, commanding much of the record with his praise for God. His music career would bring qawwali to international audiences while also developing much of the contemporary music scene at home. To that extent, Khan deserves praise both for his ability and his impact.
I like hearing something way out of my wheelhouse, this was decent, I have no reference to compare though. Good to chill to
I was familiar with his singing from listening to Peter Gabriel and I remember him singing with Eddie Vedder. His vocals on Peter Gabriel's "Signal to Noise" are absolutely chilling. He's got a cool style and impressive voice. Plus, the drums are hypnotic and I liked the guitar parts (or whatever the plucked instruments were). Like most anglo-centric music listeners, I have no idea what he's singing and have a hard time telling the songs apart, but I enjoy the vibe.
My spirits were in hell but this album brought them back up a bit. It was light, fun and it had the ability to affect your mood. What more could you ask of an album?
An album and artist I would surely never have come across without starting this project - the perfect example of why I wanted to do it! A surprise and delight, and a body of work I know I will come back to (once I have time to pick albums myself again!)
Came to this guy from Jeff Buckleys name drop on Live at Sin-e. I enjoyed it first time and loved revisiting it. A diversion from the anglophonic majority and one very worthy of inclusion in the list. Having no familiarity with the expected rhythms and structure as well as no idea of the lyrics meant this just floated by beautifully and I could just enjoy the vibe
Grew on me as it went on. I have no opinion of its comparative excellence, but objectively it's pretty cool. Happy to have it on this list.
this album was really neat and i loved being exposed to music that i normally do not get exposed to. you could tell how joyful the music was from the singing and from the instrumentals here. just a very chill, jubilant album to kick off a weekend morning. cool stuff!
Very different from my usual tastes, but this is a very good album. 4/5
Great music to vibe out to. The songs go on a little long, But I think if I knew the words that would help that. Regardless good album
Wat een lage rating heeft dit album, onterecht! Ik vind wereldmuziek prachtig, laat je kennismaken met andere culturen en hun muziek. Dit is daar een prachtig voorbeeld van. Ik zal dit natuurlijk niet wekelijks opzetten, maar van begin tot einde is het prettig om naar te luisteren.
I doubt that I will consciously seek out this album again. But boy, the energy. The passion. The depth. Amazing
Part of the reason I commenced this project was to learn. And so I am. This style of music, called qawwali, is new to me, as is Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, but sounds as though he'd attained legend status in his short 48 years. As I am ignorant to the history of qawwali music and cannot understand the lyrics, I can only base it on my opinion of the music, and...it was good! Interesting, and never felt it went on too long. He's a passionate singer, and the playing was intricate. Not too much I can say about it, but I liked it.
Oh je, schwierig. Interessante Musik, interessante Instrumentierung, schöne Stimme. Meins wird es aber nicht, ich kann mir das nicht auf die Dauer anhören. Da wird man dann ein wenig high.
Hard to find this album. I thought I would only appreciate this collection as an observation on music from other cultures, but lots of sections were very catchy and symphonically charged. Khan sings very passionately.
Exotic and beautiful. Strange and mesmerizing. Full of new sounds, yet familiar and interesting
If you like Indian music in general, you’ll dig this album. If not… brother you’re going to hate this thing
Happy to get this - something fresh and different. I saw him in the 90s at Womadelaide. It is pretty uplifting music and I love the loping beat.
Didn't understand any of the lyrics but enjoyed it still.
It’s hard to rate something like this with it stemming from such a different cultural context than I’m used to, so I can’t really think about this the same as the 50th britpop album that Dimery included in the list.
Can't say I hugely connected to this album. Didn't understand the lyrics... Enjoyable listen nonetheless! Vibes. 4/5
I see the value and impact of this
rhythmic
Ok cool, this will be something different. Confused as to the title not matching the album cover on this page, so I hoped I grabbed the right one. This guy has a massive discography. Already vibing with the first track. My unaccustomed ears would argue all these songs sound very similar. But I'm glad every time this project introduces me to something not American/British. Enjoying the sound though, 4*
This album of devotional songs has an effect that might stray from intention, as this heathen heard a psychedelic record in a space of its own; the closest I’ve heard to it is the Boredoms majestic Vision Creation Newsun. Cathedrals can awe non-believers as well as the devour.
Don't need to understand the words to enjoy the music.
First time I've seen the bonus tracks come *before* the actual album. I can find no information as to what this album's worth of tracks before the album actually are*. Stuck it all on anyway. The first one reminded me vaguely of Sting, ironically. Found it lovely though. About 4 long tracks in, wondering if I made a poor decision and I'll be tired of this by the time the actual album rolls around. Not so, things pick up again quite a lot, and a real good mix of sounds. Childishly I couldn't help but note he appeared to be singing about former Spurs and England midfielder Dele Alli at one point. *Thanks to another reviewer I discovered this is actually two albums as a reissue, the first being Love Song. This makes perfect sense.
There's something about other culture's spiritual songs that makes you appreciate the immense talent that their faith brings out. Whether from the American Plains, the Asian and African continents - you don't know the language they're singing in, but you don't need to. You just jump in and enjoy the ride. 4.5/5.
Quite like
A great texture, interesting arrangements, and it's always nice to hear music from different cultures.
I was introduced to N Khan’s music decades ago. His voice is spectacular and is nicely augmented by percussion.
The site links to a combo album and the listed album is the second half of the combo. It really slaps!
It's all very beautiful and great energy. A fun listen, but damn it was long! 4.5
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!
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
I could listen to this all day. No clue what a meaningful rating would be, other than the singer has a strong voice.
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
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.
Interesting music! Great voice.
Repetitive, meditative. Made for a pleasant work commute. Probably won't listen ever again but don't feel like I wasted the time.
His music let in a little light on the darkness of my soul!
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?
This was a very good album, especially for a style of music I'd never listened to proper before
There were some BOPS on this bad boy, I had a lot of fun.
I honestly really enjoyed these, I thought they were well crafted and would heavily enjoy listening to them again.
4.0 YouTube
8/10. This was really cool, wasn't sure what this was gonna be like, but had a really good sound to it.
- Interesting and energetic. - A bit too distracting when trying to do other things.
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
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.
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.
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%
🍓 good
Something I would never have listened to without this albums list. Grateful for the chance to hear it!
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
Kovat instrut ja siisti lauluääni. Taas kerran tykkään että listalla on jotain muutakin kuin brittirockia. 4/5
a surprising jam. so melodically complex.
very authentic
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 !
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.
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"
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.
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
Better than The White Album
Very interesting, I love this music. Much of it sounds the same being I don’t speak the language but the music is beautiful.
Wild and entertaining. 4 sitars.
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!
You're not exactly gonna put it on during your morning commute, but this album rips
qawwali and response
A very impressive 45 minutes of music with a voice that carries power as well as gentleness.
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.
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.
Beautiful, I love sufi music and Nusrat is the king
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.
Beautiful, but requiring further study.
Had no idea what to expect, but this was an excellent soundtrack for a day.
Powerfully spiritual music performed by great musicians.
I had to find this on YouTube because it was not on Apple Music. But searching for it was wild - how many albums did this guy HAVE? They have over 50 listed for 2025 alone, and he died in 1997! Maybe it's a quirk in how qawwali/Indian/Pakistani music is listed on Apple? Whatever the case, this is not a genre I have listened to much and it's not something I am going to seek out, but it was fine enough to listen to in the background. It grew on me as I continued listening.
C'est intéressant après c'est des sons random mis ensemble je vois pas trop la logique d'un album. Il a vraiment une super voix mais pas mon style de musique
Pretty neat. Sounds like I kind of expected it to.
After some research I think the actual album in the book is the second disc of the Spotify link. It starts off with the best song “Allah hoo Allah hoo”, but downs really slow down from there. That opening track I think is the catchiest, but the rest of it is good too. He has a very powerful voice that’s perfectly suited to this kind of music, to the point that I wonder if it’s actually him in every generic “Islamic music” clip played in western films. Anyway it was cool to get something like this, almost more for me discovering and reading about the genre than the music itself, which is enjoyable too. I can’t imagine listening to this all the time but it was interesting and different.
Oli kyllä erikoismiehen erikoismusiikkia ja piti pari kertaa pistää pauselle, kun työkavereita tuli toimistolle. Ihan kelpo meininkiä tavallaan. Iloinen ylläri :D
Jollain perverssillä tavalla tykkäsin tästä. Oli eilen aamuvuorossa taustamusiikkina, niin työkaveri tuli kysymään että "mitä vittua?". Siitä tietää että on ainakin jotain onnistunut liikuttamaan. Keskenään toki kaikki ihan samankuuloista omaan korvaan, mutta kyllä mä silti tän parissa viihdyin, vaikka pitkä levy olikin. Ei varmasti koskaan tule palattua tähän, mutta ei missään nimessä harmita että tämä tuli jauhettua.
I'm not super sure I can handle this, on this 7AM flight from Dallas. Seems fun, kinda a lot right now.
This record starts off dull but side two bangs.
I think I’ll bump it up to a three because at least it’s the rare example on this list of foreign music & I accidentally listened to the extended album & didn’t complain! I saw this on a playlist called “House Party” and that’s a very different house party than what I’m use to
nice ncie
3.75
Very unique, quite interesting
Disc1 was a bit too samey for me in a ‘Happy Clappy’ way. Disc 2 was much better
feels less like an album to listen to casually and more of something to you know experience and worship alongside. repetitive and trance like. probably not something i'll return to often but glad to have listened to it.
Spiritual Qawwali music. The kind of gem I come to expect when starting this challenge - exposing myself to genres and cultures I am unacquainted with.
Imma certified international playboy now
das isch huuuere cool bis jetz sie singed immer wieder zeme mega call and response und d melodie sind seeehr cool. s het au huere tempo. ich ha halt keeeein plan um wases goht. de sound isch seehr durchgehend und ich chan niix unterscheide. mösts mehrmols lose zum appreciate glaub. aber s isch cool irgendwie und bin froh hanis mol glost. 3.
Another first-time listen! I was inadvertently familiar with this artist from his contribution on Peter Gabriel’s score for The Last Temptation of Christ. Frankly, I’m mostly unfamiliar with this type of music in general, so it honestly took a bit to warm up to this album, with some tracks fading into the background. I think by the second half though, I locked in more to the steady build of the tracks and the increasingly ecstatic vocals and instrumentation. Not sure if I’ll ever fully lock in to this genre of music, but I appreciate this project introducing me to one of the highlights. Standout moment: The second track, Yeh Jo Halka Saroor Hae, felt the most immediate and appealing to me on first listen.
Pretty sure I'm completely unqualified to judge this. Put it on and it kind of blended into the background, felt like I was driving my car around Karachi, so I guess that's cool. Would never sit down and just listen to it. Was this that thing in the early 90s when people were trying to listen to World Music™ to sound cultured, irrespective of their actual taste? Coward's 3.
I'm going to really try to listen to this album even though I do not speak the language, have never been exposed to this kind of music, and have never heard of this musician before. I am not sure if this will affect the review, but three songs on Spotify aren't available: "Yaadan Vichhre Sajan Dian Aiyan" with a total of almost 179k plays and "Sanson Ki Mala Pey" with over 15.5m plays on Disc 1, and "Ni Main Jogi De Naal" with a little over 200k plays on Disc 2. as of the time of writing this review. I'll get into my review and reaction to each song. I read through the Wiki while I was listening and learned a lot about this genre of music that I've never heard of. Great read and apparently NFAK is one of the greatest Qawwali singers of all time. "Woh Hata Rahe Hain Pardah" is 8 minutes of cyclical music with truly impressive vocal control. Near the end, you can hear the incredibly popular South Asian and Indian Pop sound. "Yeh Jo Halka Saroor Hae" is 7-1/4 minutes and the most played song on the album. The lyrics translate to a battle with alcohol and knowing shame while indulging in its intoxication. The song progressively gets faster as it plays and is quite intriguing. Again, the vocals are very technically impressive. "Biba Sada Dil Morr De" is 7-1/4 minutes and is about a one-sided love or at least requesting the other half of the relationship to love them back. "Yaadan Vichhre Sajan Dian Aiyan" is not available on my Spotify "Sanson Ki Mala Pey" is not available on my Spotify "Un Ke Dar Pen Pohchne to Payen" is 4 seconds shy of 8 minutes, and is the weakest song up to this point. It's vocal quality has dropped, the musical technicality has dropped in quality, and the audio mix is completely blown out. "Allah Hoo Allah Hoo" is 8 minutes and the harmonium comes in STRONG for the first 45 seconds. This song is a powerful devotional song to Allah. "Yaad-E-Nabi Gulshan Mehka" is the lowest plays on the album at 138,578 plays at the time of this review clocks in at 7:37 minutes and is the most Anglo/European sounding song so far. The main and backing vocals are very reminiscent of some experimental Beatles music. "Haq Ali Ali Haq" is a 7.5 minute song and the backing vocals with the drum is honestly a vibe, great song. "Ali Maula Ali Maula Ali Dam Dam" is a 7-3/4 minute song and this song bops. It's got such great trance-like rhythm and groove. It's so easy just to zone out and vibe to it. It reminds me of what house music would sound like if we humans didn't have synthesizers and drum machines. Also NFAK's vocal skills are on showcase at the end with a little super-fast scat improv, good stuff. "Mast Nazroon Se Allah Bachhae" is the shortest song at 6 minutes and 24 seconds. The intro should be extremely recognizable since it's been in a viral song as a sample. Not as catchy as the song before it, but it's a very good song to lose your train of thought to. "Ni Main Jogi De Naal" is not available on my Spotify. Overall I'll personally rate this as a 6/10. I was genuinely surprised and enthralled by this music despite never having heard of this artist or genre before. This is why I'm doing this venture, I came to hear new songs I've never heard before, and I've found some today!
Þetta er vissulega áhugavert og flottur tónlistarstíll, en maður er með óreynd eyru fyrir þessu. Stemmari.
A fantastic vocalist who makes some fantastic contributions to Peter Gabriel's wonderful soundtrack to the 1989 film "The Last Temptation of Christ." These songs are all really good but don't have much applicability outside of their religious context for me to give this more than an objective 3. I think some of his earlier records might be better.
Pa renacer, full hongos buenardo
3/5
I enjoyed this, but I think I would like it better in smaller doses to listen to it again.
Glad to have listened to this album. Although I wish the book picked one of the hundreds of albums from the artist available on Apple Music. It wasn't some life changing revelation or gateway to a whole new genre. But I enjoyed my time with it, and feel like I know a bit more about one artist in this genre now.
A bit too religious for me, and it's definitely repetitive. But it does have interesting sounds.
Unfortunately, I don't really have anything interesting to say about this album. It was pleasant world music.
Desde o início foi muito interessante de ouvir esse álbum. Gosto do sentimento da música indiana (nesse causo paquistanesa) diferenciada, com instrumentos diferenciados e microtons. Mas as músicas duram mais do que deveriam, deve ser pelo estilo devocional mesmo.
a nice change of pace
I like this Indian style of music. it is calming and different and nice to listen to. Oddly enough it was right here on the album generator that I heard similar music a while back and kind of loved it. The thing is it is a touch better, in my opinion, to this. So in a kind of comparative way this is okay. It does the job of the genre, peaceful, easy to breathe to. yet it will remain that there are other artists within the genre that are "even better" to listen to. So yeah, it is not unworthy, but if you like it, dig a bit deeper.
No idea what this is about or why it is on the list but I liked it
#930. No I dea what the fuck he's talking about, but it sounds good to me. 3/5: good enough.
I thought this was good and nice! I should listen to it more attentively.
Важко якось оцінювати подібну музику. Реально сподобалась пісня Allah Hoo. А так не знаю навіть, ще й не всі пісні доступні на спотіку. Поставлю 3.
An interesting listen
couldnt get all the songs from album, but actually isnt half bad. couldnt give higher rating because didnt have all the songs
first listen fun but just alright
I do not speak arabic but nevertheless can appreciate this guy's voice. I also enjoyed the use of instruments that I don't normally hear.
not as good as Joni Mitchell’s Blue
I like this type of music as I liked "Krishna temple" by George Harrison a lot and like devotional music. So I'm biased and I understand why people dislike th is,
It’s like I’m sitting in the Indian restaurant
Disc 2 > Disc 1
I have a feeling that if I understood the lyrics I wouldn't like this. But I really enjoy the droning beats and singing. It's not something I'm going to sit down and listen to, but it makes pretty excellent background music.
Powerful, beautiful voice. I was not familiar with qawwali, but it is a beautiful music style. I see that he did collaborations with western musicians and was a big part of world music. You can hear it. The type of Indian music that is more appealing to me was that played by the likes of Ravi Shankar or Shakti, but this is brilliant music as well.
Well, it's jaunty.
Roligt med något annorlunda och sångtekniskt imponerande. Jag hade en härlig lyssning, mest kanske för att det blev ett sånt avbrott mot allt annat. Dock var en lyssning lagom och jag kommer nog inte lyssna igen.
Coolt och vackert, men jag tröttnar lite efter ett tag. En trea!
Jävligt kul när sånt här bisarrt dyker upp! Hellre det än nån medioker brittisk indie från 1997 som fallit i glömska av goda skäl. Det här var ändå ball! Riktig jävla dunderpipa på Nusrat. Man är inte direkt någon pakistansk religiös musik-konnässör, så trodde nog det skulle vara mer utmanande lyssning än vad det faktiskt var. Inte så mikrotonalt som jag trodde utan rätt västligt och bekant i grunden. Jävligt peppigt dessutom och riktigt shreddigt gitarrspel och svängigt trummande. Allah hoo Allah hoo, kan bli sufisk muslim för mindre!
Lättare att lyssna på än vad jag trodde men ändå otroligt svårt att betygsätta på en lyssning - där drog jag gränsen! Den lyssningen var dock ganska nice rakt igenom. Tröttnade bara lite på slutet så får bli en trea.
I liked the vibe, but it felt like a forced pick.
“Trust me guys, I know more than just western music, see?”
I guess. Not so sure about that. It was fine.
Pretty cool how hypnotic this music can be