Khan, Shafqat Ali / Sublime Sufi
Album: Sublime Sufi   Collection:World
Artist:Khan, Shafqat Ali   Added:May 2003
Label:Arc Music Inc.  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2003-11-17 Pull Date: 2004-01-19 Charts: Reggae/World
Week Ending: Jan 4 Dec 21 Nov 30
Airplays: 1 1 2

Recent Airplay
1. Jul 29, 2004: Sun in Libra, Moon in Pisces
Yaad
4. Nov 28, 2003: "In Your Ear..." Post-Turkey Consumption
Ish Kamal
2. Jan 02, 2004: The sound of one hand clapping
Journey to Marwa, Tarasti Ankhay, Sitara
5. Nov 24, 2003: told ya so!
Raqsay Bismil
3. Dec 18, 2003: "In Your Ear..." 6 hours (9am-3pm) Happy Holidays Special
Ish Kamal

Album Review
Manoneet
Reviewed 2003-12-07
Being somewhat of a puritan when it comes to sufi music (which encompasses such magnificent, spiritually uplifting genres as the qawali and the ghazal), I find this album a bit of a let down. The mixture of eastern lyrics and western orchestration has been attempted numerous times in the past (e.g., check out Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s collaborations with Peter Gabriel); unfortunately, Shafqat Ali is no NFAK. Still a pretty nice CD for those generally curious about Sufi music, and for its lyrics, which (thank heavens) are still traditional.

Track 1, Ish Kamal : Begins with a vocal call, then joined by programmed drums, sax, and electronics that mix a modern cadence with the timbre so typical of qawali singers. The lyrics express the sadness of the love-torn Sufi and -- according to some Sufi experts -- that of a God longing to be known as well.

Track 2, Yaad : tale of sleepless longing featuring tabla and mandolin.

Track 4, Sitara : Like #2, #4 is also relatively free of electronics, though it sports a modern bass line.

Track 5, Raqsay Bismil : has a reggae-like feel to it, which merges with the wailing exclamations of the qawali.

Track 7, Journey to Marwa : A return to primordial India. In this lengthy piece Shafqat uses his voice as an instrument, under the accompaniment of sitar music. Moody night raga.

Track 8, Putah Butah : Shafqat performs the well-known ghazal as a ballad set to contemporary music, with mixed success.

Track Listing
1. Ish Kamal   5. Raqsay Bismil
2. Yaad   6. Tarasti Ankhay
3. Sakhi   7. Journey to Marwa
4. Sitara   8. Putah Butah