Numbers [Remaster]

Performer: Cat Stevens
Artist: David Sanborn; Brenda Russell; Art Garfunkel
Engineer: Nick Blagona; Leanne Ungar
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel: Cat Stevens (acoustic & electric guitar, 12-string guitar, piano, Fender Rhodes piano, ARP synthesizer); Magic Children of Ottawa, Barbara Massey, Carl Hall, Tasha Thomas, Art Garfunkel, Lewis Furey, Melba Joyce, Carmen Twille, Brenda Russell, Vennette Gloud, Suzanne Lynch, Anna Peacock, Vincent Beck (vocals); Alun Davies (vocals, guitar, 12-string); Gerry Conway (vocals, drums); Simon Nicol (guitar,12-string guitar,); Gordie Fleming (accordion); David Sanborn (alto saxophone); Jean Roussel (piano, Wurlitzer piano, harpsichord, Hammond B-3 organ, organ, string synthesizer, vibraphone); Bruce Lynch (bass); Chico Batera (congas, percussion, chimes). Producer: Cat Stevens. Reissue producer: Bill Levenson. All tracks have been digitally remastered. Subtitled "A Pythagorean Theory Tale," Stevens' follow-up to the relatively conventional BUDDHA AND THE CHOCOLATE BOX is a semi-concept album with a sort of science fiction theme. The songs are set on the faraway planet Polygor, which "existed to give numbers to the universe," and they are sung from the point of prominent inhabitants of the planet, including the wise and deep-thinking old Novim ("Novim's Nightmare") and cranky emperor Monad ("Monad's Anthem"). The story line isn't easy to follow, but the songs themselves are in Steven's signature folkie pop mode, and the one non-story song, "Banapple Gas" (a distant relative of Donovan's "Mellow Yellow") is as catchy as anything in his catalogue.

Cat Stevens's debut single found its way to the U.K. charts while he was still in his teens. He became an international star with 1970's TEA FOR THE TILLERMAN, which showed an evolution in his style. With his distinctive voice, memorable melodies, and sensitive, socially conscious lyrics, Stevens typified the singer-songwriter aesthetic of the early '70s. His records from that period were incredibly successful, familiar to anyone growing up at the time. Over the years, his music grew a little less accessible, and by the end of the '70s he had converted to Islam, changed his name to Yusuf Islam, and retired from pop music. A 2006 comeback album, recorded under his new name, was a lovely return to form.

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