For some, the name Gaudi immediately brings to mind a style of architecture termed Art Nouveau that dominates the Barcelona skyline. For others, it brings to mind a style of music termed dub, where reggae dominates an electronic groove. Of course, in the latter we are speaking about the UK music artist Gaudi, known for his resume of organic sounds. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is to Qawwali music what Luciano Pavoratti is to Opera music. As a Qawwal, Khanās voice is incredibly powerful, strong, and long-lasting in a literal sense. He is prolific and has been featured on over 125 albums, and is somewhat of a national hero in his home country of Pakistan. For Qawwals, singing is a path for reaching God in the Muslim faith and it takes the vocalist to many different psychological states during this expression.
As a writer of music, Gaudi has 11 releases to his credit including the āworldā influenced dub groover āBass, Sweat and Tearsā, which three years after its release, is still Interchillās best-selling album. As a collaborator, he has been a featured guest on numerous other projects including Sounds From the Groundās āPalmprintā from their most recent album, āHigh Risingā (Waveform Records), and heās applied his expertise as a producer to various creations including Ashtechās auspicious debut, āWalkinā Targetā released earlier this year by Interchill Records. Now, Gaudi combines all of his skills on an ambitious concept album called āDub Qawwaliā, on which he mixes his own personal style with rare vocal recordings from the 60s and 70s of the late Qawwali vocalist, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, marking the 10 year anniversary of his death.
Itās not hard for anyone with an appreciation for world music to be immediately attracted to Khanās personal expression when singing Qawwali, and, for dub fans you will be more than pleased with what Gaudi has done with reworks of Khanās songs on Dub Qawwali.
After the success of Gaudiās rework of a single Khan track for a remix project, a portion of Khanās catalog was opened up to Gaudi for this assignment. He has hand picked 10 tracks for this release and taken an entirely new approach to reworking Khanās music. Dub Qawwali begins with āBethe Bethe Kese Keseā that instantly catches the listenerās attention. This sound is quite unique and it transports you to many different locations around the world. At one point, your left foot feels the sands on a beach in the Caribbean while at the same time your right foot feels the warmth of the Indian sun. Gaudi delivers incredibly on this album and right from the start you gain a sense of its importance. The weight of it wasnāt lost on Gaudi either, who stated āAfter 26 years of music activity I have to say that this is one of the most important productions I have ever done.ā
At times, Gaudi pours on the reggae with characteristic high-energy keyboard rhythms, plenty of dubby echoes, and solid drums like the infectious āGhambar Bare Ne.ā At other times, a slow river of dub carries Khanās voice through complex progressions.
On each track of Dub Qawwali, you canāt help but feel like Khan recorded his vocals specifically for this release. What Gaudi has done to revive these previous recordings is singular and Gaudi works brilliantly to cross a bridge between two different genres and cultures. Dub Qawwali is a well-thought and sure to be well-received collection of dub-infused music.
Tracklisting:
1. Bethe Bethe Kese Kese
2. Tera Jana Kere Rang Lawe
3. Jab Teri Dhun Main Raha Karte They
4. Dil Da Rog Muka Ja Mahi
5. Ghamgar Bare Ne
6. Abhi Apna Abhi Paraya Hai
7. Ena Akhiyan Noo
8. Kahin Mot Se Bhi Na Jao
9. Mainoo Ole Bai Ke Pee Lain De
10. Othe Mera Yar Wasda
