Here is the debut album from the nephews of the late, great
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan in their bid to inherit the throne of the greatest qawwali of the age. On this album, they present songs in praise of Mohammed, Ali, and Baba Farid-Ud-Din Shakar Gans, along with a trio of love songs, including one based on a presumably Pakistani version of Romeo and Juliet. Each is performed to perfection by the ensemble, with the pair of brothers leading the way vocally. The energy of their uncle is certainly present, though some of the sophistication and sheer power of his voice are not. This is an outstanding qawwali ensemble by any measure, and can only be discounted in terms relative to their other family members (
Nusrat and their brother/harmonium player/heir to the qawwali throne
Rahat). Any fan of good qawwali should look into this album, as among other things the grandfather of these two is the one who personally taught
Nusrat his art. The lineage is there for these two, and the only possible problems one could find with the album are a lack of experience and a wealth of familial ability competing for attention. Pick it up as a fan of
Nusrat, of
Rahat, or of qawwali in general. In any capacity, the listener won't leave disappointed.