A new album of previously unheard melodies by Pakistan’s music icon Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, recorded 34 years ago, will be released on September 20, according to a statement from Real World Records issued on Wednesday.
Founded in 1989 by Peter Gabriel, Real World Records recorded Khan’s fusion music, which combines the mystical qawwali style of the East with Western instruments. This decision was made together by Gabriel and Khan.
The lost album, named ‘Chain of Light,’ was found in Real World Records’ tape archives. It was produced after the label signed Khan in 1989 and released several acclaimed albums with him during the 1990s.
“I’ve worked with many musicians from around the world, but Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was perhaps the greatest singer of all,” Peter Gabriel said in a statement. “What he could do with his voice was extraordinary, and we were proud to help bring his music to a global audience. Finding this tape was a delight. This album shows him at his best. It’s a wonderful record.”
The album was discovered buried in a warehouse storage space while the label was relocating its archive in 2021. Khan passed away in 1997 at the age of 48. Almost 30 years later, his legacy continues to attract new fans, with six million monthly listeners on Spotify and over 1 billion views of his music on YouTube.
Reflecting on the album’s significance, producer Michael Brook, who worked with Khan on the popular “Mustt Mustt” album, noted that Khan’s voice deeply touched listeners.
“It is a once in a lifetime experience,” he said. “Like the light in the album’s title, these songs are transformative and transcend languages and cultures. They draw the listener in, no matter their expectations.” Brook said he was happy that Khan’s voice had returned.
