Folk for the Almighty: Grandpa Yusuf texts flat, but otherwise rarely hurts.
Nobody expects any more revelations from the man who has reactivated his old stage name a few years ago and most recently rearranged his 1970s classic TEA FOR THE TILLERMAN. KING OF A LAND also moves between religious edification, light social criticism and children’s songs. “There’s a peace in the air / But it’s headed nowhere / Cause the earth just isn’t fair”, Yusuf rhymes neither elegantly nor enlighteningly in “Train On A Hill”, certainly a reminiscence of his hit “Peace Train”. It doesn’t get any more political than “Bad storms on clear skies / Those politicians keep telling lies”. The man in his mid-seventies prefers to weave praises to the Almighty.
Jesus and his mother get a song (“Son Of Mary”), albeit spoiled by a solid home organ solo. The cinematic pomp of “How Good It Feels” is also silly. Otherwise, however, the offensive taste aberrations are limited. Yusuf gently plucks the nylon strings, there is robust folk and roots rock, isolated electro-pop textures, delicate orchestral arrangements and a gospel choir. Quite nice, actually, and well tolerated by old Cat Stevens fans. But whoever seeks revelations should turn to the Holy Scriptures. Or better: MONA BONE JAKON.