- Artist
- Yusuf
- Label
- Polydor
- Release date
- 13th November 2006
- Genre
- Singer/songwriter
Some of us thought it would never happen. Yusuf Islam, the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens, has returned to the world of music with a contemporary pop rock album. An Other Cup is his first album of new songs in nearly three decades after he converted to Islam in 1977 and eschewed all the trappings of fame, selling off everything connected with his fame and fortune and preferring to devote himself to his new-found spiritual life.
Perhaps the timing has some element of divine intervention about it. He himself says there are many reasons why he feels right about "making music and singing about life in this fragile world again". Indeed.
A beautiful record from start to finish, An Other Cup can be listened to on so many levels. It is an album about living life in today's world, it is about finding and cherishing love, or perhaps it is about finding something else equally meaningful.
Islam's spirituality runs throughout the record, exemplified by the song The Beloved, which features the wonderful Youssou N'Dour, but he can take a view on the modern world too, as on Midday (Avoid City After Dark). There's a stirring version of Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood, which as with much of this album can be taken in a variety of ways.
Those familiar with - and perhaps wistful for - Yusuf's previous musical life will be delighted to know that the voice they loved then is as much in evidence in his new realm. He just has another string to his bow now.
