Just released, a wonderful return from a great singer/songwriter. Not to be missed if you remember him from the halcion days of the 70's. A superb album!

Track Listing

1. Midday (Avoid City After Dark)
2. Heaven/Where True Love Goes
3. Maybe There's a World
4. One Day at a Time
5. When Butterflies Leave
6. In the End
7. Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
8. I Think I See the Light
9. Whispers from a Spiritual Garden
10. Beloved
11. Green Fields, Golden Sands

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #170717 in Music
• Released on: 2006-11-14
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
Three decades after decisively trading fame and his superstar moniker for the spiritual devotion for which his restless '70s songs seemed a perpetual quest, the singer-songwriter born Steven Demetre Georgiou has successfully resurrected Cat Stevens's muse, if not his persona. The musician whose dedicated embrace of Islam embroiled him in controversy frequently sings its praises on An Other Cup, both boldly (the Prophet-lionizing "The Beloved") and with delicate reflection ("Whispers from a Spiritual Garden" reworks Sufi mystic Jalaluddin Rumi). Given the political and religious misconceptions that have often plagued him, he's mused for years that his theme song should be Nina Simone's "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood"; here Yusuf makes good on the promise, conjuring a cover steeped in brooding elegance with the assistance of Madonna/Dido/Rod Stewart producer Rick Nowells.

Yet, as "Heaven/Where True Love Goes" attests, the musician remains as masterfully adept at blurring distinctions between spiritual and romantic ecstasies as he is at evoking his trademark idealism in the lilting harmonies of "Maybe There's a World." Fans of his vintage catalog will find intriguing riches outside the more spiritually focused works here, too, with the familiar idealism of the previously unrecorded 1968 song "Green Fields, Golden Sands" and the muscular "I Think I See the Light" further evoking the glories of Cat past. The production leans towards the spare and shrewdly contemporary, whether casting the effusive opener "Midday" in Paul Simon's spirit of cross-cultural adventure, underscoring the melodic charms of "One Day at a Time," or suffusing "When Butterflies Leave" and his autobiographical cover of Simone with graceful, neo-classical strings. Considering the career time lapse, it's a remarkably strong effort, yet one inspired by a gentility and spiritual inquisitiveness that's comfortably familiar. --Jerry McCulley

CD Description
'An Other Cup' is the first pop release from Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) since converting to Islam and comes twenty eightyears after his 1978 release 'Back To Earth'. Produced by Rick Nowels (Dido, Rod Stewart) the album is a welcome returnto the classic singer-songwriter sound that earned Cat Stevens rave reviews in the sixties and seventies. The single 'Heaven/Where True Love Goes' is also included.

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Customer Reviews

Refreshing...
Not pop chart material, it's more thoughtful than that. I'm not sure if the youth will get this album as it isn't as upbeat or self praising as most of the music around these days. From the opening track 'Midday' (the brass sounds like he was inspired by Curtis Mayfields Move On Up) to the last track 'There Is Peace' (sounds like it could have come off Teaser) there isn't a dud on the album, seriously. There are a couple of stand out "single" type tracks (Heaven and Midday) but generally this seems to have been aimed at an "album" type audience. Skiping a track really would spoil the the overall feel. Songs like 'When Butterflies Leave' and 'Whispers From A Spiritual Garden' help to keep the theme going strong, alowing songs that might not blend so well back to back to fit in perfectly. It's a peaceful friendly listen which leaves you feeling like there is still hope for the cooperate music industry yet. Art at it's best, with thought provoking lyrics to boot. oh...and the 44 page booklet just enhances the overall vibe. Right on and welcome back man.

Spiritual Islam
Like a breath of fresh air, this album is nostalgic and reminiscent but new and exciting, culturally appropriate and inspiringly different.
Yusuf has not lost the magic of former years but using his maturity and experience to provide probably , for me at least, the best album of 2006.
He is still able to make me cry, think, and meditate. At the forefront of all tracks is the 60 s peaceful message. It is, as said, a continuance of former work and evolution of his thoughts.Interestingly, i find the current single,Heaven/Where True Love Goes the poorest song which says a lot about the rest! Buy it and you wont regret it.For everyone especially original fans of Cat Stevens and 60 s singer songwriters such as Paul Simon. Bob Dylan and John Lennon.

Welcome Back, it's been worth the wait!
WOW, what a comeback album! It's been 28 years since his last mainstream album Back To Earth, but it's definitely been worth the wait. There isn't a duff track on this album, and it really is a return to the kind of form Yusuf showed during the seventies. I'm so pleased that he felt the time was right to make a comeback - his great talent has been sorely missed. Good to see that he's working with original band members too.
Whether the decision to release the album under his Islamic name Yusuf was a wise one remains to be seen. It was obviously his decision, quite rightly so, but I hope potential buyers & fans will be aware that this is the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens. Polydor must have had the same feeling - hence the gold sticker on the front of the CD case to remind us.
I hope we wont have to wait another 28 years for the next one Yusuf. Now, how about a tour??