Lost masterpiece: The forgotten album of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan resurfaces in a stunning revival

A new album of unheard recordings by Pakistan’s music legend Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is set to be released on 20 September 2024.

The album, titled Chain of Light, was discovered 34 years after it was recorded by the Qawwali maestro. The original recordings, long thought lost, were found in the archives of Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios during a move to new premises.

Recently, a select audience in Karachi got a first listen to this forgotten treasure at the British Council, along with a preview of Ustad, a forthcoming documentary on Nusrat’s life by Sayna Bashir Productions.

Launched in part by the British Council, the album’s delayed release offers fans a profound opportunity to reconnect with Nusrat’s genius. Painstakingly restored from original analogue tapes, the album features four tracks, including Ya Ghous Ya Meeran — a complex, rhythmic marvel that showcases Nusrat’s mastery of Qawwali.

According to petergabriel.com, “Joined by his eight-strong party of singers and musicians, Chain of Light presents four traditional qawwalis — including one which has never been heard before — and captures Khan at the height of his vocal capabilities in pristine sonic quality. The recording was made at Real World Studios in April 1990, during the same time he worked on Mustt, his seminal crossover album with Canadian producer Michael Brook.”

The evening concluded with a panel discussion during which filmmaker Zakir Thaver stressed the need for continued support to complete the documentary, urging fans to share any rare footage of Nusrat they may possess. Panellists highlighted the importance of preserving the work of Pakistani musicians, with renowned singer Tina Sani lamenting the loss of some of the country’s finest performances when old tapes at PTV were erased to make space for new content.

In a world that often forgets its greatest treasures, the rediscovery of Chain of Light is more than just a musical event — it is a revival of a voice that continues to resonate, transcending time, borders, and generations.