Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Nusrat. His staggering and amazingly varied vocal gymnastics, carried along on the cords of a harmonium or the clapping of hands, are an invitation both to deep spiritual experience and wild dance. A music to calm the soul, taking it on a journey full of meaning and harmony. Wonderful sounds to heal the spirit. Nusrat Fatheh Ali Khan, the greatest Pakistani singer, was known all over the world for his phenomenal interpretation of the "qawwali", the 13th century sacred Muslim chants. These chants, actually prayers, glorify Allah's name and all those who have faith in him. "When I sing, the distance between God and I is smaller. This music is for getting closer to Him" said Nusrat. The path to success would take him first to Paris in 1985, to the Theatre De La Ville, then all over the 5 continents. The cinema also crossed paths with the music of this wonderful singer with his doll's head and sumo wrestler's body. In 1986 he met Peter Gabriel who asked him to work on the soundtrack for "The last temptation of Christ". Later the 7th art would once again call on his services, singing on the soundtrack of "Dead man walking" and then "Natural Born Killers". Nusrat's curiosity for new sounds led him into the worlds of rock and techno. Peter Gabriel, a fan of World Music, produced 7 of Nusrat's albums, of which the essential "Musst Musst" in 1990, remixed by Massive Attack, and the magnificent "Night Song" recorded with Michael Brooks in 1996. Deceased at the age of 49 due to health problems linked to his obesity, Nusrat will always stay with us as a vocal phenomenon.

Magali Bergès