Star Rise (1997)
9 tracks, 58 minutes (original CD version)
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Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is, for my money, simply the greatest singer ever recorded. And he was recorded a lot. Every time I listen to him, the shivers are real. At the heart of everything he did was qawwali. Qawwali is a style of poetry and song used by Sufi Muslims of South Asia to praise god. It’s a very powerful music, and its sound can send listeners into fits of religious ecstasy. A chorus of heavenly voices, a couple of harmoniums, tablas and hours of powerful handclaps – a qawwali performance is one of the most electrifying live experiences you can have.
But as much as he was undisputed Shahenshah-e-Qawwali – the King of Kings of Qawwali – Nusrat was super open with his collaborations with producers and fellow musicians. This is totally evident on Star Rise. The tracks on this album are remixes taken from Nusrat’s two collabs with Canadian producer Michael Brook. Each of the remixes were made by a leading light in the UK’s Asian Underground scene, which, at this point in the mid-90s, was in full swing. Just look at those names: Joi, Talvin Singh, Asian Dub Foundation, State of Bengal, Aki Nawaz and Fun^da^Mental, Black Star Liner, Nitin Sawhney, Earthtribe and The Dhol Foundation. It just goes to show the esteem that Nusrat was held in – when the call comes to work with him, you don’t say no.
Because of the number and variety of remixers taking part, the remix styles are similarly broad, with bits and bobs from techno to electronica, bhangra to Bollywood, and the ever-present dub, and there’s the whole range here from bangers to pure chill-outs. On the ‘banger’ end of the spectrum – I would go as far to say it is an ‘absolute banger’ - is the Asian Dub Foundation’s remix of the track ‘Taa Deem.’ This is my favourite piece of music of all time. ADF use Nusrat’s vocals with respect but without piety, and turn it into a hardcore dub-dance-punk with some exquisite drops. Words can’t really describe, just go listen.
Make sure your bass is properly set up before you press play on this album, though. If your insides aren’t wobbling all the way around your torso, you’re missing out.
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