“Ena Akhiyan Noo” is positive and evocative an upbeat reggae theme supporting emotive and expansive vocal passages is spiced up with rub-a-dub flavors and breaks of hypnotic chant. The vocals in “Dil Da Rog Muka Ja Mahi” inspired the inclusion of a theme from the Kraftwerk track “The Model” used by permission from the legendary German electro-pioneers in this remarkable excursion of a track analogue Synthesizers give authenticity to its 1977 origins, while Hammond organ, a deep bassline and fills of dubbed up percussive echo keep the reggae flavors rolling. Its uncluttered feel and rolling Bass spiced with off-beat Tabla gives space and groove. “Tera Jana Kere Rang Lawe” is a dub influenced roots reggae track combining passionate and melancholic Strings with a roots dub bassline.
This is also the first track that Gaudi produced in the series and very much provided the drive and direction that is evident throughout the rest of the album. A firm stepper rhythm anchors and drives the track while Sarangi adds dimension to this wistful introduction. The album opens with the soft tones of “Bethe Bethe Kese Kese” a nostalgic and warm track where melodious Flute and Strings echo contemplative vocals. After doing studio work with the “eccentric studio genius” Perry in 2005, Gaudi had confirmation of one of his own strongest beliefs in music production which is to respect your own personal integrity by “being yourself and always following your own sound.” Gaudi is as much a scholar of Khan’s work as he is of Dub, and lists among his favorite dub artists King Tubby, Scientist, Mad Professor, and Lee “Scratch” Perry. It was Gaudi’s strong sense of the direct connection between roots reggae music’s humanitarian messages of compassion and love and Khan’s devotional songs, that was a major inspiration in the creative direction of Dub Qawwali. A universal theme of peace and love, very much evident in both Khan’s work and at the heart of reggae music, is the unifying element.
He has created a collection of new compositions in which the original vocals are seamlessly fused with a full spectrum of Dub & Reggae styles and musical themes & flavors from other cultures, genres and environments. The original studio reels where sent to Gaudi’s studio in London in 2005 and work began.Īlthough other producers, including India’s Bally Sagoo and the UK’s Massive Attack, have remixed Khan’s work, in Dub Qawwali Gaudi has taken an entirely new approach to re-interpreting the work of this great artist. The company loved what Gaudi had done with the material and offered him complete access to the recording sessions from 35 years ago, including rare and unreleased vocal parts. Gaudi was one of six producers who were initially offered a single Nusrat track to remix by the Lemon Group – owners of the song publishing of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s works from 1968-1974, in association with Khan’s original Pakistani label Rehmat Gramophone. Dub Qawwali is a celebration of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s life and is being released on Six Degrees Records in August 2007, marking the 10-year anniversary of his death. The result is a moving body of work that respectfully brings Khan’s Qawwali songs together with Jamaican dub via superb 21st century studio techniques. The album blends organic and digital dub stylings with original vocals from Pakistan’s beloved Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. So, what happens when you unite one of world’s most revered voices with a long-time veteran of global music production? Dub Qawwali, by London-based producer/artist Gaudi reveals the answer. The origins of Qawwali music trace back over seven hundred years to the spiritual Samah songs of Persia and the mystical faith of Sufism. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was and is still very much considered to be the greatest Qawwal (singer of Qawwali music) in the world not only recognized as a legend in his native Pakistan he also took his musical messages of peace, love and spirituality to the international stage, earning him the title of Pakistan’s premier ambassador of Qawwali music.