Shahbaaz

Named for 13th-century Sufi master Qalandar Shahbaaz, Shahbaaz is Nusrat at his most intense--just look at the CD's cover photo: facial grimace, closed eyes, sweat on the forehead, raised hand, and the open mouth from which the greatest qawwali singing of the 20th century sprang forth for some 25 years before his death in 1997. From the first seconds of tabla drumming and clapping on "Beh Haadh Ramza Dhasdha," Nusrat and party lose themselves in the divine Islamic chant whose lyrics recall ancient Sufi poetry and stories. The weave of harmonium, drums, and Nusrat's improvised vocals suck listeners into a repetitive, ecstatic vacuum of music while the steady throbbing drums and handclapping ground the divine mania. Some of the most amazing vocal work shines on this CD, both by Nusrat and his brother Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan, whose higher-pitched, metallic throat wailing forms a wild counterpart to Nusrat's fuller, lower register. The gem of this CD is the final song, "Jewleh Lal," a 20-minute melodic number that swings with especially powerful call-and-response praise for Qalandar Shahbaaz. Though Shahbaaz doesn't offer the full spectrum of Sufi traditional songs, this may well be the best taste of the passion and vocal artistry that this innovator gave to both the Eastern and Western worlds. --Karen Karleski