Customer Reviews

Mustt Mustt

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

One thing I find puzzling from some of the reviewers of this music is the failure to understand that this is not Qawwali music,is not under any pretence that it is and quite clearly,is a collaboration of differing influences. Why criticise it from a
Qawwali viewpoint afterall he did this knowing full well what he was doing and what's more he did it twice!Does that tell you something? Is it possible that some western Qawaali fans have decided that since discovering this music they have also discovered myopia(you can't touch my)dddegeneration.Now that's off my chest I would like to recommend some of the finest music to hit my ears.It's strange how it came about but I purchased Night Song well before I acquired Mustt Mustt and found that recording to be,as good as it is,(especially My Comfort Remains)quite different.As another reviewer pointed out Night Song has a more ambient feel and the influences appear to come at different levels .You can see Nusrat's intelligence through a willingness to explore on both of these recordings and as a result has created in my opinion truly great music, not forgetting Micheal Brook and Peter Gabriel etc.As for Mustt Musst as soon as I had the chance to listen a few times I felt that this is my favourite of the two.It seems to be richer in instrumentation especially percussion with more things happening and definitely more upbeat than the latter Night Song.At least that is how I felt.It should be realised the importance in bringing the extraordinary talents of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan closer to many more people who otherwise would not have had the benefit of experiencing (including myself) and I suspect a defining influence in how some music is approached these days.Like many no doubt, I find it sad that the man has passed on but fortunately he left us this along with his Qawwali.

This CD is interesting, thought maybe not a great introduction to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and qawwali. Many of the tracks are experimental versions of NFAK classics-- such as the title work "Mustt Mustt". The cadances are different from much of his other work and the instrumentation is interesting- lots of electric instruments and sound effects. If you are interested in mixing the contemporary music of the west with contemporary qawwali this would be a good choice. If instead you want an accessible, yet fairly authentic introduction to the style that made Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan famous, get "Akhian".

This is the first of two (three, if you count the collection of techno remixes released at the time of the artist's death) collaborations between one of the most amazing vocalists this world has heard within the last century and Canadian guitarist/composer Michael Brook, the 2nd being 1996's "Night Song".
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Both are fantastic recordings, though this collection retains a bit more of the traditional central Asian sound heard in Nusrat's older recordings, and for that reason I prefer "Mustt Mustt". The sounds are evenly represented...some tracks include more Western "augmentation" than others (and in the case of the Massive Attack remix, a still-further Western deviation from an already very hip-sounding groove).
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If the score from "Dead Man Walking" whetted your appetite for further examples of this great qawwali master's talent, I can't suggest a better starting point than this CD. "Night Song" is great as well, but I rate it a great ambient recording that owes more to Michael Brook's handiwork than the talent of the singer, who is given more of the center stage here.

i recommend this album for one reason: the song "Nothing Without You" is one of the most beautiful songs i have ever heard

it's hard to tell from the brief sample here on Amazon... but the song is pure beauty

i first heard this song (Nothing Without You) on the local Pacifica radio station some years ago... the sound engineer played it between shows... i was so enthralled by it, i immediately called up the station and asked the engineer what he was playing... i wrote it down and at first opportunity sought it out... i was lucky to find the album at my local Tower records (or did i have to special order it? i can't remember... this was pre-internet)

this is one of the songs that sometimes brings tears to my eyes just from its sheer beauty

(some others: Madame George by Van Morrison, Das Lied von die Erde by Mahler, Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers... for comparison, in case you wonder what moves my groove)

your mileage may vary... art, afterall, is a matter of taste...
but... this is a profane song, it's a profane album -- Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan usually sings sacred music... i personally think this is the closest a love song ever comes to rivalling the most sacred of sacred songs, irrespective of religion or belief system... from this one song alone, i consider him to be a holy man

Some of the songs, like Mustt Mustt and especially Tere Bina are magnificent, but Brook seems unsure of how to treat Nusrat, and some of the ambient experiments in the latter half of the album just don't work out. Everything came together for the two in the awesome follow-up to this, Night Song, which was far more mellow and restrained and did not attempt too much - the bane of this album - but what Night Song did not have was Tere Bina... the greatest love song ever, in my opinion, Nusrat raising the love song to the level of devotional music. Completely mindblowing, and the cd's worth buying for that song alone.

While I agree that Nusrat unproduced in the raw is the way he was meant to be heard, and anyone who can pick up videos of him performing in Birmingham England at some local center, will be amazed. But this album has its brilliant moments. I think noone can own music and sound, and we love music because we love experimentation and allow artists to interpret and reinterpret styles. I think anyone who thinks that all the music that ever will be has been written , and that everything else is derivative misses the point of creativity. I mean if musicians can come together, so can people of different nations come together in other ways. Artists allow us to bring cultures together, and unite instead of divide. I know thats alot to place on one album, but I believe in pure qawalli and I believe in this blend as well, both are art. So Cheers to the makers of this. You will not be dissapointed.

Arguably, one of a handful of musicians from the world music province, that was able to successfully remain a huge star in his nativehome land (Pakistan), and make the successful transition over to the west, and still retain complete credibility and artistic excellence, after having worked on various western musician collaborations, and having his work remixed. (especially the stunning 'Massive Attack' remix of "Mustt Mustt").

A truly exceptional vocalist, who's vocal talents are a combination of Organic, passionate, spiritual, vocal gymnastics, that are at the same time exuberantly confident, yet passionately arousing. As this is the voice of a classically-trained vocalist, that is both grand and sweeping , with a level of grandeur and yearning, that earmarked him as one of the finest vocalists of his generation. Forget the fact that for the vast majority of western ears, the lyrics will all but be impenetrable. What Nusrat does virtually better than most, is convey the feeling of emotion through harmonies, soaring choruses, by which, his complete and utter conviction of his enormous voice, which is one minute husky and trenchant, and as powerful as the most emotive of singers, and then on the next as serene and soulful as any legendary Jazz/ Soul singer you care to mention, is extremely impressive. But even more impressive is the fact that Nusrat is able to emotionally connect with the listener, when there are obviously language barriers, and the sheer euphoric and celebratory tone of some songs, transcend the language difficulties and arguably have nearly as much (if not just as much as) impact, as if he was singing in our own native tongue.

But to not mention the musicianship powering this record, would be as much of a misstep as not highlighting the brilliance of Nusrat's vocal contributions, and although the arrangements may seem slightly restrained or unusually considered in comparison to some of the more beat-heavy world music/Worldbeats artists out there, this is so that ample space is given to Nusrat, to perfrom the sort of soaring vocal gymnastics, for which he is renowned for. Tablas rhythmically complement the music, along with the use of various plucked strings, acoustic guitar, and mandolin, and Just as the musicians mantra-like repetition of the whirling motion deepens the trace of the music, Nusrat himself is able to skillfully intergrate his vocals with his musicians, The mood here is one that passionately encourages meditation, through the use of dancing and chanting. With the almost party atmosphere enhanced, by appearing in a virtually classic form, with tablas and harmonium establishing the harmony and rhythm, male singers swelling around Nusrat's central vocal and using hand claps to drive the tempo, it's jaw-dropping stuff for sure, and although Nusrat is arguably the star of the show here, it's the tremendous support, for his musicians that elevate this performance into 'stunning' territory.

If your new to the delights of Nusrat, and have yet to make a purchase of one of his studio albums, most people (will quite rightly) point you in the direction of this studio album. As to whether it's the best thing he's put his name to, isn't entirely clear, but what is beyond doubt, is that this is the perfect starting point for anyone deciding to enter into his music. Its has the accessibility for newcomers, (along with the "Massive Attack" remix of Mustt Mustt, tagged onto the end of the album), as well as the possibility that some of his best known songs are here (increasing the possibility of you knowing a track or two), and enough distingushed performances all round, to...if not become his best album, certainly ranks alongside his best work. And for anyone else that has a Nusrat album or two and DOESN'T have this in their collection already, well.....your next purchase is right here!!!!

This CD presents the magnificent voice of the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and some of his regular musical family playing with Western musicians, and treated to the "enhancements" of studio technicians and DJs. For those unfamiliar with him this may well be a knock-your-socks-off experience. However, for those who have been followers of Nusrat's career this is watered down stuff indeed. It is ironic that after the usual diddling/remixing which seems a necessary part of pop music recording today that the result should be such a limp product compared to his "old fashion" performances. Clearly producer Michael Brook simply wasnt up to dealing with the incandescent power of the real Nusrat. If you think this slick production is great stuff - listen to his untampered with qawwali recordings and have your heart medication handy, 'cause you ain't heard nothin yet!

If you're looking for some real, pure Nusrat, search elsewhere.
Most of the songs are Michael Brooks experiments. I only liked one song,his classic: Mustt Mustt.If you want to hear some real Qawwali, Shahbazz and Shahen-Shah and better choices for you.

This is not the best by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, but gives one an example of how much command Nusrat has on his vocals and on Sufi Music. I listen to Nusrat day and night. Nusrat's music appeals more when its not remixed by Bally Sagoo, Bengal or someone else.