Unheard music found and released for the first time

Unheard recordings by the famed Pakistani singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, who died 27 years ago, have been released for the first time.

The tapes were found in the archives of Real World Records, in Box, Wiltshire, created by Peter Gabriel.

Mr Khan made the recordings in 1990, but they went unissued at the time and the production team forgot they were made.

Odhrán Mullan, who found the tapes, said: "We were blown away by the musical performances on them."

Mr Mullan told Manny Masih how he made the discovery while cataloguing items in the record company's archives after they moved sites.

"When I started working there I was told he was the best singer who ever lived, and I didn't believe them, but when I listened I realised it was 100% true," he said.

The tapes had to be gently heated to remove moisture from them, before they could be transferred by experts.

"A tape that old can't just be played on the tape machine as it will damage it, and when it was digitised we knew the performances were incredible," Mr Mullan said.

Mr Gabriel, who founded WOMAD Festival, invited Mr Khan to perform there in 1985, bringing his style of music to a huge new audience.

Mr Khan was considered one of the world's finest Qawaali singers.

The genre emerged in what is now India and Pakistan in the 13th century. Qawaali groups feature a lead vocalist and side singers who improvise different melodies together.

His rediscovered tracks have been released on a new album, called Chain of Light.

Muhammad Ayyub, who introduced Mr Khan to Peter Gabriel in 1980, said: "I am delighted these recordings were found.

"People are excited all over the world about this release.

"Khan's tunes appealed so widely, and even today people are singing these songs.

"His legacy will last for centuries," he added.

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