(Real World)
The late, great musician confirms his mastery of the Sufi tradition in a hitherto unheard and surprise-laden cycle that soars with spirituality
The Pakistani qawwali master, who had given a ground-breaking performance at the Womad festival five years prior, had been receiving praise in the West for his rapid and intricate vocal flourishes, which frequently fit within a single line of old Sufi verses, and the force and emotional depth of his powerful voice. When Khan moved away from his Sufi roots in 1989, it was to record a song for Peter Gabriel’s soundtrack to Martin Scorsese’s The Last Temptation of Christ. His groundbreaking qawwali album Mustt Mustt (1990) featured Sufi poetry mixed with a melancholic electric guitar, slap bass, and echoing percussion produced by Michael Brook.
However, Khan had recorded four traditional qawwali tracks with Brook just months before this crucial crossover album, but they were shelved.and hidden for a long time. Rediscovered and remastered, these pieces now comprise the album Chain of Light, which was released in 1997, 27 years after Khan’s sad death at the age of 48. The CD is a breathtaking representation of Khan’s voice mastery at its peak.
Ya Allah Ya Rehman, a mainstay of Khan’s qawwali performances, opens the record. A lively tabla beat and harmonium melody open the song, but Khan’s vibrato-heavy vocal lines steal the show as they deftly capture a yearning for something more. His Party of singers joins in as the 10-minute composition goes on, enhancing his syllabic flow with each new phrase and keeping the tabla’s relentless beat to create a relentless sensation of forward motion. Aaj Sik Mitran Di, the next song, takes a more fluidity in tempo, letting Khan’s voice drift into a melancholy harmonium arrangement, then picking up speed to highlight his amazing rapid-fire sargam vocal lines and building to the ultimate moment of transcendental bliss.
Unquestionably, the album’s highlight is the previously unreleased Urdu qawwali Ya Gaus Ya Meeran. With its continually changing tempos and rhythmic patterns, this nine-minute masterwork defies expectations at every step, allowing the listener to follow only Khan’s dominating voice. He skillfully transitions between intimate harmonies and counterpoints before reaching the album’s title track, a soaring, full-bodied cry that goes, “Every breath of mine is connected to his chain of light.”
This is not just an afterlife collection of unfinished songs; Chain of Light is a seamless, fully realized work of art.collection of work, demonstrating Khan’s proficiency with the Sufi tradition right before his redefining of its limits.
This month also sees the release of British-Ghanaian singer KOG’s latest album, Don’t Take My Soul (Pura Vida Sounds), a joyful blend of relaxed hip-hop beats and Afrobeat brass flourishes that ends with the exquisite melody of Odo Sronko, featuring highlife veteran Pat Thomas. With their wide fourth album, A Sound Heart (Riaz Records), Pakistani improvisational ensemble Jaubi delves deeper into jazz while skillfully fusing big band swing, Mingus-esque bluesy riffs, and the soulful melodies of the sarangi. Last but not least, the confident fusion of tropicalia and samba with her easygoing, effortless flow on Ela Partíu (Agogo Records), the debut single from Brazilian rapper Laíz & The New Love Experience, A colorful and modern interpretation of Latin American hip-hop.
This month’s releases all provide an intriguing look into the rapidly changing international music scene. These musicians explore the genre’s bounds while staying closely rooted in their ethnic heritage.
Don’t Take My Soul by KOG is a vibrant song that gives his music a new twist by fusing vibrant Afrobeat rhythms with the pulse of contemporary hip-hop. With the addition of a timeless highlife song that invokes nostalgia, the collaboration with Pat Thomas on Odo Sronko adds an additional depth of warmth. The album’s vibrant, joyous rhythm keeps the listener captivated throughout.
Using Pakistani instrumentation and a jazz-influenced ambiance, Jaubi’s A Sound Heart adopts a distinct strategy. Their deft blending of big band and sarangi parts results in a richly nuanced musical experience that pays respect to jazz legends like Mingus while still being heavily improvised. The seamless fusion of Western jazz with traditional South Asian sounds results in a genre-bending record that feels both ageless and avant-garde.
The debut song by Laíz & The New Love Experience, Ela Partíu, gives Brazilian music a contemporary twist. Her confident, lazy flow goes well with the tropicalia and samba elements that throughout the album. Laíz’s debut is lively and carefree, demonstrating her distinct voice in the changing Latin American music scene. She successfully blends modern hip-hop with the classic sounds of Latin America.
These albums serve as a reminder of how music is constantly evolving, with musicians all around the world continuing to redefine genres while honoring their historical origins. This surge of new Global music is alive, dynamic, and relevant in today’s soundscape thanks to creativity, which is the meeting point of tradition and innovation.
