Music: Contemporary

Yusuf: 'An Other Cup'
Ya Records/Polydor Records (2006)

Recommending this CD could be something of a 'hot potato'. I seem to remember that 'An Other Cup' was given a bumpy ride by critics when it was released at the end of 2006, and in some ways I do understand why. I believe there were claims that Yusuf's musical style hadn't matured, and I agree that a certain gaucheness still exists, although for me and many others this is (and always was) part of his magic. He weaves his lyrical style and distinctive vocal qualities into the melodies with the same sort of innocence as in the early days, but now his songs are enriched with a quiet maturity and confidence. In my opinion his compositions have more soul than ever before, the instrumental content is more interesting, and his years of self discovery are truly in evidence.

However, I freely admit that my first experience of this CD perplexed me. Whilst I knew almost immediately that I would rapidly grow to love the songs themselves, the recording style was muddled and congested. The album is all so close miked, and much of the instrumental material is prone to sounding raucous; for example, the brass section in the first track, 'Midday'. So - and there is a small boast coming up here - why recommend this album? Well we continued developing the Omnimons, and little by little the congestion and confusion disappeared, and a sweetness and clarity emerged that one had known was there but couldn't previously perceive. Yusuf's distinctive voice is now projecting cleanly and smoothly across the room, as if he is a real presence. FR