Customer Reviews

Ragas & Sagas

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

 

 

One of the best albums of Pakistani (North Indian) classical music combined with Jan Garbarek's Norwegian jazz. The Pakistani vocalist is Ustad Fateh Ali Khan, NOT Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. I know the same names are confusing. Ustad Fateh Ali Khan is a big name in Classical Music in Pakistan. He's been performing ever since I can remember, watching him on late night tv. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan who is popular in the west as well was basically a Qawwal. The two genres of music are totally different. [Amazon.com, it might be a good idea to put a note up regarding this confusion.] Im surprised how people cant pick the difference between the two singers' voices. Two of the tracks also feature Deepika Thataal's voice. She has been a classical music student of Ustad Fateh Ali. She also has two of her own albums of Norwegian rock/techno fused with Pakistani folk and classical tunes.

I want to tell people he is Ustaad Fateh Ali Khan belong to a great Pakistani musical family named Patiala Gharana. And Ustaad Fateh Ali Khan is big name in music Masters than Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Ustaad Fateh Ali Khan is the son of Ustad Akhtar Hussain Khan of the Patiala Gharana of khayal(a type of eastern melody) singers, Ustaad Fateh Ali Khan, in addition to being an accomplished khayal singer, exercised equal mastery over several light and highly melodious forms.With his brother Ustaad Amanat Ali Khan(1932-74), he is the other half of the famous singing duo which established a style of presentation that has rarely been equled. He is a winner of Pride of Performance award on his music achievments in Pakistan. He also awarded a prize from Pakistani President. Now in these days Pitala Gharana of Pakistan have three great singers. Ustaad Fateh Ali Khan, Ustaad Hamid Ali Khan and Asad Amanat Ali Khan.

Where as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan he is the singer of other type of music named Qawali.I m astonished why people mix Ustaad Fateh Ali Khan and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Isn't they feel the difference of voice.

I first heard this album around 6 years back and was blown away by the experience, I must admit i was not expecting such brilliance (well i kinda was..) as it only appealed to me because of Ustad Fateh Ali Khan, at that time i haven't heard Jan Garbarek (and now im his fan-for-life), this album cleverly mix jazz and Pakistani classical music with amazing vocal genius of Fateh Ali Khan (dont confuse him with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan).
The overall experience is something between classical, post-jazz fusion, and eastern classical.
This is a MUST-HAVE for jazz/classical/world-beat fans and as well as for the people who just want to enjoy good music. Worth every single cent.
Five Solid Gold stars.

A stunning recording that can cater equally to the friends of Garabareks spiritualized jazz simplifications and fans of Pakistani religious music. A blend that not only created new shape but truly integrates both forms of music.
I own other Garbarek recordings (his Hillard ensemble recordnings mainly) and I would strongly suggest this recording as one of his best.
Also, the recording engineering has been done superbly for this recording. Strongly suggested!

As other reviewers have already said it ... the music is wonderful. My big complaint is the level for Garbarek's sax ... everytime he comes on I have to turn the volume down and then back up to listen to the vocals.

Ragas and Sagas

A great jazz artist working with musicians from Pakistan- what a beautiful result! The music is Indian in overall flavor, and hauntingly lovely. Music for the soul! I put it on when I do yoga, and I bring it as my selection when I get a massage. Escape to somewhere strange and beautiful.

Perfect blend of classical and Jazz. Fateh Ali Khan's voice is mesmerizing and the ever enchanting music by Garbarek gives a perfect fusion-music. One of the best CDs I own.

NB: The artist is different from Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Late Nusrat sang sufi-Qawallis.

"Ragas and Sagas" did not get the kind of attention it deserved when it appeared in 1992, but it is certainly one of the 10 best "world" music recordings ever made.

The amazing voice of the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, teamed with a select number of Pakistani musicians, along with jazz experimental saxophonist Jan Garbarek, results in a seamless, original, and spritual journey.

Nusrat's perfect qwaali singing, and Garbarek's masterful, spare, nordic iciness, melts into an authentic aural soundspace.

If you don't own this amazing cd on the always excellent ECM label, buy it now. You haven't heard really great world music unless you've heard Ragas and Sagas. A timeless recording.

A totally different outing for the late great NFAK. Nusrat sings softly in a pop vein but with no less fervor than on his energetic qawwali releases. Garbarek and Manu Katche add a expansive and ambient very ECMy backdrop over which Nusrat's voice floats. If you liked what Michael Brook did with Nusrat on Night Song and Mustt Mustt, you'd like this too.