Music

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

Related Topics:Chain of Light Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Peter Gabriel Real World Studios

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Natasha Baig Discusses The “Downfall” Of Nadia Khan’s Stardom

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Ali Zafar Unveils ‘Zalim Nazron Se’, His First Album Track in 15 Years

If you came of age in the 90s, Ali Haider’s ‘Purani Jeans’ likely rings a bell—just as Ali Zafar’s 2000s hits like ‘Channo’ and ‘Chal Dil Mere’ probably do for fans of that era.

Now, both pop icons are making a comeback: they’ve teamed up for a modern reimagining of Haider’s 1994 classic ‘Zalim Nazron Se’, the lead track from Zafar’s first studio album in 15 years. The song (and its music video) dropped on Friday.

Originally recorded by ghazal legend Jawaid Akhtar in 1979, with lyrics by Roshan Naginavi, the track’s selection ties into “Zafar’s ongoing mission to bridge Pakistan’s musical heritage with today’s youth,” per a press release.

Reflecting on the collaboration, Haider shared: “Recreating this timeless track with Ali Zafar was incredibly special. He pitched the idea, and I knew right away we could craft something wonderful together.”

Zafar hailed Haider as “an icon who soundtracked our youth” and described working with him as “an honor and a delight.”

The music video nods to Pakistani pop’s golden age—with a glossier, bigger-budget twist. Think flashy cars, backup dancers, and plenty of sunglass-clad close-ups of the duo, a fitting homage to the era they helped define.

Beyond this latest collaboration, Ali Zafar’s career boasts a string of milestones that have solidified his status as a cross-border entertainment powerhouse. As a musician, he’s delivered chart-topping hits spanning pop, rock, and folk-infused tracks, earning multiple Lux Style Awards, Pakistan Media Awards, and nominations at international events for his soulful vocals and songwriting.

He’s also a celebrated actor, starring in blockbuster Pakistani films like Teefa in Trouble and making waves in Bollywood with roles in Tere Bin Laden and Mere Brother Ki Dulhan—breaking barriers as one of Pakistan’s most recognizable faces in Indian cinema. Additionally, Zafar has ventured into production, philanthropy, and advocacy, using his platform to support emerging artists and promote cultural exchange, further cementing his legacy as a versatile artist and cultural ambassador.

While the album’s release date is still under wraps, Zafar teased fans in a November 15 Instagram post: “Circle December 20th.”

Music

Asim Azhar Debuts His Raw, Unfiltered “Most Honest” Album

After weeks of nail-biting suspense, Asim Azhar has finally dropped his debut independent album—dubbed his “most honest work yet”! To toast this career milestone, the star shared a heartfelt snippet featuring his mother on social media, giving fans a tender peek into the project’s soul.

“This album is made of songs written in my rawest, most vulnerable moments,” he penned on Instagram. “I once thought you’d never get to hear them—people kept telling me I had to stick to a certain sound to stay relevant. But over time, I realized: music means nothing if it’s not truthful.”

The 10-track record—titled Asim Ali (marking the singer’s creative reinvention)—landed last night, boasting tracks like “Khabbay Sajjay,” “Na Ja,” “Changes,” “Lost n Found,” “Sugar Rush,” “Jind Mahi,” “Pari,” “U Got This,” and “Strangers,” plus a standout collab with Talha Anjum. A labor of love, every song is written and composed by Asim himself, with production by Kumail Abbas, mixing by Jokhay, and mastering by Rooshan.

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The lead-up to the release was full of drama: Asim wiped his entire Instagram feed clean and shared a single “Khuda Hafiz” story, sparking panic on X (fka Twitter) that he might be quitting music. But the tease was just part of the plan—soon after, he unveiled his new “Asim Ali” persona and dropped the album announcement, leaving fans thrilled by his bold reinvention.

After years of chart-topping singles and major-label partnerships, Asim Ali marks Asim’s first fully independent release—a fresh chapter that’s all about staying true to himself.