The album was released on 20 February 1996 by Peter Gabriel’s world music label Real World Records. Considered a commercial success for a world album, it reached number 4 on the United States "Billboard" Top World Music Albums chart and number 65 in the UK Albums Chart, where it charted for one week. The album was acclaimed by critics. Banning Eyre of Allmusic rated the album four and a half stars out of five, saying that “wherever you stand on Real World’s arty aesthetics, you have to admire the Qawwali star’s sense of adventure here.” "Westnet" said that “"Night Song" makes a great companion to either sudden revelation or a simple evening in the forest, under the stars,” commenting that "it is certainly one of the best collaborative albums of the year." "The Guardian" said it was “a quite sensational slow-burner of an album...Nusrat’s incredible vocal control and gift for wending his way round an evocative melody is bolstered by Brook’s sensitive ambient, gently beat-based arrangements. No-one deserves the extra exposure more than this peerless singer.” "Time Out" called it "the best world music album...ever!"