Ecstacy

I agree with the previous review by "a music fan" - this is a gem of a CD - and the original complete 8 track 71+ min CD on the Terrascape label.Be careful - there are at least 3 other CDs listed by this same "Ecstacy" title, and even the CDs advertised under this item here are NOT all the complete 8 track 71+min CD - the one I got is on the Terrascape label, and at a bargain price ($4.47) from seller "VillageMusicWorld" - who replied to my inquiry e-mail to confirm the CD tracks - so beware and check the track listings....Note: it is NOT really live - but a remix CD by Bally Sagoo from circa 1997 - hearing this CD in its entirety and in the correct sequence shows what an amazing fusion of two very different worlds of music this is - especially since it PRE-dates any of the Nusrat Khan remix CDs.EDIT to add - I have uploaded a scan of the CD tracks listing - it's under the clear CD holder.(Note: "Magic Touch" (Music Club label) is a sub-set which uses only 6 of the shorter tracks - read the review of Magic Touch by enlewellyn)

This is definitely a "love it" or "hate it" disk and I fall into the latter category. I bought Ecstasy based on glowing reviews here on Amazon, and was sorely disappointed by the rough and badly recorded mix of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's vocals with a dub-style accompaniment. Another reviewer captured the weirdness of this album with the image of James Brown and the funkadelic sound. Scat singing, be-bop, and Perry Como (no disrepect intended) are other random images that came to mind as I listened to this album. Truly scary!Qawwali is devotional music at its core, and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan attains his most powerful and lasting impact as a vocalist when religious fervor shapes his phrasing and delivery. You don't need to be a Sufi, or even a person with any religious beliefs, to appreciate the beauty of Khan's voice on a more traditional recording. Skip this disk and choose instead the intensity and finesse of studio recordings such as the Supreme Collection, volume 1, Greatest Hits, or even Mustt Mustt, which I would rate as a 5, 4, and 5.This attempt to repackage qawwali as Western party music of the Buddha Bar variety comes off badly. I can't understand why other reviewers have raved about this disk; it's not representative of Khan's tremendous talent or his body of work.

I picked up a version of this album with the green cover that is viewable in the user submitted images for this CD. The tracklisting features all 8 tracks, however with english titles:1.Ecstacy, 2. By the Candle Light, 3. Magic Touch, 4. Heart of Gold, 5. Love Comes Home, 6. Precious Jems, 7. Prayer to Allah, 8. Star Crossed.This is an amazing album. Hopefully this will help interested buyers make sure that the variant they have is legitimate, or that if you bought it, you haven't been ripped off. This disc is well worth picking up at any price, and an awesome entry album for those curious about Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's music or middle eastern music in general.

Magic

This is a blazingly beautiful CD. I thank previous reviewer Vincent for identifying the role of Bally Sagoo in this production. Nowhere on my copy is he mentioned, but from the first blast of electric guitar on track one to the last intricate moment of track eight, his brilliance is felt.

I love an earlier album by Khan and he has a wonderful voice. I bought this album based on reviews on Amazon. But all the reviews forgot to mention the character of this album. It is a mix of traditional Pakistani music and American funkadelic, Khan channels James Brown (uh, uh)from time to time to weird effect. It is either brilliant or awful, your choice. (but it is always funny....)

I like this album.