Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali are the youngest and most exciting group of Qawwali singers to emerge from Pakistan over the last decade. The group are torchbearers in the long line of tradition in Qawwali vocal music— devotional praise and love songs based upon classical Islamic and Sufi texts. Qawwali love songs go back more than five hundred years in the cultural history of Islam. Most recently, the recordings and concerts of the late, great artist Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan have introduced this passionate and inspirational music to many Western audiences throughout the World.
Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali is led by four young brothers and the musical pedigree of the family is impeccable. For example, Rizwan and Muazzam’s grandfather was an uncle of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and personally taught him the art of Qawwali singing. These young nephews of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, then, come from a direct family line of Qawwali singers that stretches back over five centuries. Now, for the first time to Western audiences, Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali will present their innovative and stirring interpretation of the enduring Qawwali love song tradition.
Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali. Photo credit: Stuart Bruce
About the Songs
Ya Mustafa
In Praise of Prophet Mohammed
There is nobody in this world like You. You are unique. There have been many Prophets before your time, but nobody is as unique as You. As is said in the Holy Quaran, this Universe is created for You. Where shall we go helpless people without you as our guide? Please accept our humble request to help us on the Day of Judgement. Who else is there to help us? You are our only hope.
Unky Ankhon-Ki
The Attraction of Her Eyes
Just look at the wickedness in her eyes! She has captured my heart in her first gaze. She calls to my soul, but will not talk to me. She makes my heart sore and causes me sleepless nights. How can I describe the way she moves me? Is it love or infatuation? By God just seeing her and my shadow bows down before her. All this love pain and sleepless nights have set my house on fire.
Aa Jao Merey Yaar
Lover Come Back To Me
Please come back my beloved, it has been such a long time. Please meet me once again, it has been such a long time. You promised me you would come back and until you do I will have no peace. Please come back. If you come back I will reveal to you the the true depths of my heart. And now you are back but are saying that it is late and time to go!
Ranjha-Ranjha Kardi
Romeo Romeo
I have taken his name and become my beloved. Do not call me Juliet for I am as one with my beloved Romeo. There is no difference between us. We are no longer separate souls or bodies. I no longer exist. He has become my breath. I only answer to his name. I am dancing all the time. How can I explain my joy now that Romeo and Juliet are one.
Chishty Dola
In Praise of Baba Farid-Ud-Din Shakar Gans
I beg from you your blessings. You are my everything, my life, my soul. My life was dedicated to you even before I was born. You are the sculptor of my destiny and the doctor to cure all my ills. Please permit me a small space to bow down at your feet.
Ali Ali Khena
In Praise of Ali
I want to recite the name of Ali all the time. Ali is my heart. Ali is my life. Ali is the life of the Malangs. Ali is the Lion of the Almighty God. He who recites the name of Ali all the time and becomes lost in the love of Ali is not afraid of anything and will rest in Heaven free from all problems.
Musicians: Rizwan Mujahid Ali Khan lead vocals Muazzam Mujahid Ali Khan lead vocals Rahat Ali Khan lead harmonium Mushtaq Ahmed second harmonium Zafar Ali Khan tablas Asif Maqbool Chishti side singer M Aurangzaib Mujahid Ali Khan chorus singer Ghulam Mustafa chorus singer Javaid Miandad chorus singer Fazal Miran chorus singer
Producer/engineer Stuart Bruce Assistant engineer M Shahzad Associate producer/manager Rashid Ahmed Din Co-ordinator Phil Clarke Executive producer Thomas Brooman Recorded at Star Studios, Lahore, Pakistan, 25-27th May 1998 Mixed at Real World Studios, Box, UK, 3-5 June 1998
All tracks composed by Rizwan Mujahid Ali Khan and Muazzam Mujahid Ali Khan
Special thanks to S M Sadiq, Malik Danish, Mr Sami-Ullah, Mr Din
A Real World Design Graphic design Tristan Manco Photography Stuart Bruce Sleeve notes Phil Clarke
Proud torchbearers of Sufi devotional music following in the footsteps of their late great uncle, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. The two brothers return with ripened, masterly robust voices and sing of romantic love and alcoholic intoxication - metaphors for spiritual adoration and mystical enlightenment.
The potent relationship between Qawwali legend Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Canadian rock musician Michael Brook reached compelling emotional heights on this Grammy nominated sequel to Mustt Mustt. Once again the partnership tests the emotional boundaries of the human voice. It wasn't made in Detroit or Memphis, but this truly is soul music.
