Shafqat Ali Khan
Sufi Songs (ARC Music EUCD1849, 2003)
Shafqat Ali Khan has an impressive voice. He is an accomplished singer who
is just as comfortable playing Pakistani fusion as well as folk and devotional
music. His previous album,
Sublime Sufi, was an adventurous fusion recording, but with Sufi Songs, Ali
Khan returns to his roots. He sings Sufi poetry, love songs and devotional
pieces sung in Punjabi kafi style, in raga style and classical light style. The
accompaniment this time is purely acoustic: tabla, sarangi, tanpura, harmonium
and surmandal. Shafqat Ali Khan was born June 17, 1972 in Lahore, Pakistan. He began
his professional career at the prodigious age of seven, performing two very
difficult ragas at the Punjab Music Festival in 1980; his professional training
had already begun when he was four years old. “People were amazed. I sang for
twenty minutes.” Afterwards, he was approached by Radio Pakistan, which led
to a series of on-air recitals which spread the fame of this preternaturally
endowed talent. By the age of eight, Shafqat had already proved his mettle,
earning widespread regard as a classical artist of merit.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
