Fareed Ayaz, Abu Muhammad and Bros: Soul of the Sufi
CM Records 2009
World Music: Pakistan / Qawwali


Qawwali is a vocal and instrumental tradition which dates back seven hundred years. The lyrics present the sublime spiritual message of the great Sufi poets. Combining extraordinary, energetic, breathtaking vocals with mysticism and power, this music awakens the primordial energy, which lies dormant in each of us. Experience the energy captured in this live concert album, which carried the audience to another dimension.

TRACKLISTA:

1. Introduction 0:19
2. Man Kunto Maula 15:47
3. Allah Hoo 11:43
4. Mere Baney Ki Baat Na Pucho 12:00
5. Har Lehza 10:48
6. Khawaja Piya 11:17
7. Tarana 3:18
8. Dam-a-Dam Mast Qalandar 9:05
9. Rang 4:58

• Fareed Ayaz - lead vocal, harmonium;
• Abu Muhammad - lead vocal, harmonium;
• Ghulam Akram - support vocal;
• Moizuddin Haydar - support vocal;
• Ali Akbar - tabla;
• Ghayoor Ahmed al Hassani - dholak;
• Mubark Hasan Haris, Zarar Ahmed, Shah Baleegh, Muhammad Ashfaq - chorus.


About the artists:

Ghulam Fareed-ud-din Ayaz Abu Muhammad Qawwal belong to the best known gharana of Qawwali, namely: 'Qawwal Bachon ka Gharana' of Delhi which is approximately 705 years old. Presently both Ghulam Fareed-ud-din Ayaz Abu Muhammad Qawwal and party are acclaimed nationally and internationally as one of the best exponents of Qawwali in the sub-continent. The brothers started training in classical music at a tender age under the rigorous and critical tutelage of their late father Ustad Munshi Razi-ud-din, who himself was an outstanding classical musician and a recipient of the President of Pakistan's Pride of Performance medal and many other National honors. Both brothers are accomplished musicians in the genre of classical music and also in the traditional classical raags such as dhrupad, khayal, tarana, thumri and dadra which they blend beautifully into their Qawwali performances.

They have been performing professionally for the last 30 years, not only in Pakistan but as cultural representatives of Pakistan at international events in Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium Bulgaria, Croatia, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Iran, India, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Morocco, Nepal, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom, U.S.A., U.A.E., Zimbabwe and in many other countries.

Both brothers are well-versed in several languages and can ably perform in Urdu, Sindhi, Punjabi, Pushto, Hindi, Poorbi, Bangle Marathi, Persian, Arabic and Turkish, in addition to Japanese.