Chain of Light’ by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Releases Today after 30 Years

Peter Gabriel’s Real World Records unveiled Chain of Light, a posthumous album by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, today, September 20, more than three decades after it was recorded. Featuring four tracks and running for 41 minutes, the album captures the essence of Khan’s mesmerizing qawwali performances.

Songs like “Ya Allah Ya Rehman” and “Aaj Sik Mitran Di” transport listeners to the energetic atmosphere of the iconic Pakistani artist’s live concerts. “Ya Gaus Ya Meeran” intensifies the album’s spirit, while “Khabram Raseed Imshab” offers a more joyful tone, showcasing the depth of Khan’s legendary vocals.

Chain of Light was recorded in April 1990 at Real World Studios, during the same time Khan worked on Mustt Mustt with Canadian producer Michael Brook. Alongside Nusrat, the album features his brother Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan, tabla player Dildar Hussain, and chorus members Mujahid Ali, Rehmat Ali, Rahat Ali, Asad Ali, Ghulam Farid, and Khalid Mahmood.

Peter Gabriel, founder of Real World Records and former frontman of Genesis, praised Nusrat when the album was first announced in June, saying, “What he could do and make you feel with his voice was extraordinary. We were proud to have helped bring him to a wider global audience. This album shows him at his peak.”

The recordings, forgotten in warehouse storage during the label’s archive relocation, were rediscovered in 2021. Gabriel called the rediscovery a “real delight,” noting that Chain of Light reveals Nusrat at his best.

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, who passed away in 1997 at the age of 48, remains an influential figure in world music. His qawwali style has earned global recognition, and his legacy continues through family members like Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

The album can be downloaded from here.

Also Read: Rahat Fateh Ali Khan Reveals Nusrat’s Unique Nickname Given by the West