Creator of one of the greatest singer/songwriter albums of all time, “Tea for the Tillerman,” the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens has finally come out of his self-imposed retirement, and it’s literally a blessed event.
In the late 1970s, following his own lyrical precept to “pick up a good book now” (in his case, the Koran), the musician became a Muslim and renamed himself Yusuf Islam. He threw away his guitar, judging music frivolous and distracting. He plowed his energies and royalties into creating a London school to nurture Muslim girls (having three of his own), and eventually took over leadership position in dozens of religious-linked organizations.
Yusuf now says it was a combination of factors - including visits to music-friendly Muslim countries and having his son bring a guitar into the house - that finally got him into singing and composing again.
But being refused admittance to the U.S. as a terrorist threat (the week before he was awarded a peace prize in Britain) also must have motivated the man to instigate a major public relations effort on behalf of moderate Muslims.
The result is this comeback album filled with songs that espouse the peaceful and all-embracing side of his religion.
Still shy of scaring would-be listeners away, the new disc, “An Other Cup” (Atlantic, A-) lists the artist just as Yusuf (no last name). His distinctive finger-picked and strummed acoustic guitars and still decently purring voice, zesty global rhythms and sweet-natured lullaby tunes often recall glories past.
A revival of “I Think I See the Light” underscores that he was a spiritual cat way back when, while Yusuf’s genteel treatment of the Animals’ “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” likewise aims to set matters straight.
Most exotic and enticing of all, though, is “The Beloved,” a haunting celebration of Muhammad that shares the testimony with Senegalese superstar Youssou N’Dour.
Truly, this is baklava for the soul.
SondraK, Lympian Slayer 
