Gaudi
Dub Qawwali

By Jonathan Rothman

Gaudi is an Italian-born, UK-based producer, composer and arranger with an eclectic discography full of dub-infused surprises. This time out, he uses sacred vocals from the late Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (“the Bob Marley of Pakistan”), revered as a master of Qawwali, the devotional Sufi music of the subcontinent. Gaudi’s popular 2004 release, Bass, Sweat and Tears, and 1999’s Earthbound both featured the producer’s obsession with mixing King Tubby influences and the primal, emotional Qawwali form. Khan’s distinct wail has received its share of remixes from the likes of Tricky, Asian Dub Foundation and others but in Gaudi’s hands, a potent new sound has emerged. Dub Qawwali balances the bouncy tones and sampled wonder of dub reggae with Khan’s trademark vocals, in this case newly discovered recordings from late ’60s/early ’70s studio sessions in Pakistan, around which Gaudi was entrusted to compose new music. Standout tracks like album opener “Bethe Bethe Kese Kese” plays off Khan’s more contemplative side, with backing tablas, flute and Sarangi (Indian fiddle), while “Ena Akhiyan Noo” blends the sublime vocals with easy dancehall and dub. Gaudi’s fondness for elements like tape echoes and Moog clicks with Khan’s divine singing (the overall star here) on these reggae-meets-ragga adventures.

What’s your connection to the man and his music?
My connection is that of an explorer inspired by the work of a great master. My aim from the start was to create something fresh while staying true to the essence of the material: Nusrat’s vocals. [I now have] an even greater respect for his music, what he achieved, and is still achieving, with and through his music: touching and moving people the world over regardless of colour or creed. He knew that music is the only truly international language and an amazing way to break down barriers and prejudice. The difference is that he spoke it better than most.

What about Qawwali music compels you to give it the dub/reggae treatment?
I must admit to having a natural compulsion to give everything the dub/reggae treatment — in all my 11 album releases you can definitely spot it. However, in this case I felt this urge was fully supported by Nusrat. Sufism teaches peace, love and tolerance, something for which Nusrat was a very active and global ambassador. This is also the message of the “Red, Gold and Green” [Rastafarians]. This is what I have tried, in my way, to convey through this album — a musical melting of boundaries and unification through song. (Six Degrees)

Various Artists - Rumble In The Jungle
This definitive compilation profiles the revolutionary sound of early jungle, circa the dawn of the ’90s. I don't use the term “revolutionary” lightly. This was a multiracial dance music born from technology (sampled loops began in earnest by the mid-’80s), not a live band interaction. It originated ...Read More
Beastie Boys - The Mix-Up
Chuck Fenda - The Living Fire
Corneille - The Birth of Cornelius
Dobet Gnahoré - Na Afriki
Donnie - The Daily News
Elizabeth Shepherd - Besides
Frank London - A Night in the Old Marketplace
Heptones - Sweet Talking
Jaime Delgado Aparicio - El Embajador y Yo
Joe Ariwa - Dub Tech Dub
Jose Conde y Ola Fresca - (R)evolucion
Kamendja - ...Sans Queue Ni Tête
Kenge - Kenge Kenge
King Fatty - Survival Of The Fattest
Low In The Sky - We Are All Counting On You, William
Manteca - Onward!
Mighty Popo - Muhazi
Monna Bell & Aldemaro Romero - La Onda Nueva Em Mexico
Nawal - Aman
Ozomatli - Don’t Mess With The Dragon
Plan C - Volar
Rabbits & Carrots - Soul Latino
Satanique Samba Trio - Sangrou
The Strato Ensemble - Drawn Straws
Sultans of String - Luna
Tanya Mullings - Music Is My Life
Up Bustle & Out - Mexican Sessions
Various Artists - The Inspiring New Sounds Of Rio De Janeiro
Yellowman - Most Wanted
Zap Mama - Supermoon
Though recently implying that he's tapped out musically, Sufjan Stevens has never created something as pointedly ambitious as The BQE. Originally commissioned by the Brooklyn Academy of Music for a 2007 performance, as a take-home release The BQE consists of an uncompromising essay ostensibly all about the Brooklyn Queens Expressway, a visually stunning film, a stirring orchestral soundtrack, a stereoscopic View-Master reel, and, in limited edition, a 40-page comic book about characters known as the Hooper Heroes.... Read More
Montreal’s no-wave, Moog-rock four-piece Duchess Says are brilliant at working with language. That is so to say, they are francophone, and yet front-woman AC sings more in rhythmic sounds than in anything linguistically discernible. Her male band-mates keep their distance, because her trance-like th... Full Review
Few modern directors could headline a feature from behind the lens with almost no recognizable stars in front of the camera. Fewer still would make the director's invisible presence utterly crucial to the film's shrieks of laughter and terror. Practically a genre unto himself, Sam Raimi returns to t... Full Review
Social Networking
• Be our friend on MySpace
• Be our fan on Facebook
Tweet us on twitter
Viewing the August 2007 Issue: Contents PageNewsClick Hear • Articles --> On the Cover  •  Front Five  •  Points  •  Comics  •  Questionnaire  •  Release Dates  •  Research  •  Timeline  •  Web Exclusives • Music Reviews --> Recently Reviewed  •  Aggressive Tendencies  •  Beats & Rhymes  •  Frequencies  •  Groove  •  No Future  •  Pop Rocks  •  Wood, Wires & Whiskey  •  Concert Reviews • Motion Reviews --> Recently Reviewed  •  Dvd Reviews  •  Film Reviews  •  Music DVD Reviews  •  Videogame Reviews • Music School --> Label Life  •  Where I play Contests • Contact --> About Us  • Advertising  • Distribution  • Getting Reviewed  • Getting Published  • Letters To The Editor  • Partnerships  • Subscriptions • Exclaim! Radio --> Aggressive Tendencies Radio  • Beats & Rhymes Radio  • Frequencies Radio  • Destination Out Radio  • Groove Radio  • No Future Radio  • Pop Rocks Radio  • Wood, Wires & Whiskey Radio Exclaim! TV • Home & Latest Issue Browse Issues