Roadslinger (To Warm You Through The Night)

The return of the controversial singer

Yusuf Islam (earlier known as Cat Stevens) seems to be haunted by bad luck after he converted into Muslim belief and took a different scenic name. In 1977, the artist left the scene at the top of his career. However, we still do not know what was the main reason for this decision – it could be either religion or his wish to have a rest after a hard pop singer work – but it could be something else as well. Later he came back to pass some testaments. He was charged consecutively in certain ties with terrorists and terror attacks funding, in contradictory statements of writer Salman Rushdie, and even in allegedly non speaking to the unveiled women. Yusuf was twice taken off from the plain – once on his track to Israel and once on the way to the USA. Well, it all was not easy to surpass, was it? Nevertheless, all the charges were not proved or were successfully belied. However, it is hard to deny the fact that Yusuf Islam willingly gives pretty sums of money for charity and many of his songs bare a pacifist message. In 2006, Islam made his first big come-back fro about three decades with the album An Other Cup. This year, the sixty-year-old singer-songwriter presents us with the brand new disc Roadsinger (To Warm You Through The Night).

Yusuf Islam continues to bring the public up in spiritual matter

The new edition Roadsinger (To Warm You Through The Night) is devoted to global things as the personal way in life, search for yourself and spirituality, as well as its predecessor An Other Cup. All this questions are familiar to Yusuf due to his personal experience. Amusingly, not only the texts and penetrating baritone of the singer wake up our spirit, but also his magical arrangements of the fresh pop rock songs. The philosophic balladry piece Welcome Home, lead by the singer’s pleasant voice, gives the disc its peaceful and mysterious atmosphere. The long-play titling composition Roadsinger is undoubtedly the center of the album – it is autobiographic and filled with universal metaphors at the same time. It became one of the strongest album’s events in the matter of lyrics and is also memorable for its beautiful string arrangement and a powerful melody. The magnificent hymn All Kinds Of Roses is a prolific Islam’s tail of interpersonal loyalty – no matter, what the religion of a person is. The composition Dream On (Until...) is decorated with the sparkling saxophone solo. The idea of the peace all over the world is also the message of such songs as World O' Darkness and This Glass World. The album closer Shamsia is a heart-breaking piano ballad of an Afghani girl, who became a victim of Islamic fanatics.

Roadsinger (To Warm You Through The Night) is above all comparisons

Although Yusuf Islam started a new life after he converted to Muslim and took this name, in many matters he stayed Cat Stevens, who was adored by millions. These many matters are mostly his poetic gift and a talent to create memorable, original pop tunes. After you give a listen to Roadsinger (To Warm You Through The Night), you will have a strong impression like the artist did not leave the scene for the long term of twenty-eight years – so professional his musical moves and delicate arrangements are. In spite of the fact that the album is absolutely unique, the songs on Roadsinger (To Warm You Through The Night) have the brilliant moments, reminding us of the hit records as Catch Bull At Four and Teaser And The Firecat. In an interview to the press, Yusuf once noticed that the inspiration became a rare guest in his life. He wisely decided that it is better to live a calm and cozy life instead of recording one track after another, without putting a soul into it. However, in the beginning of twenty-first century, Yusuf felt the wish to create again. Four of the long-play’s compositions will be included into his future musical. The popularity of the artist will never reach the same high status as before, of course, but it is also not going to fade. The creativity of the musician is still curious both for his devoted fans and those, who accidentally found the discs of Yusuf. This year, the gathering of soft pop rock ballads Roadsinger (To Warm You Through The Night) is sure to be a welcome addition to many musical collections.