"Cat Stevens super deluxe edition box set" -- those are words that for years have been relegated to the "in my wildest dreams" wish list of super fans worldwide.  But now, to the surprise of Cat enthusiasts everywhere, those words can soon be placed on your shopping list, as Yusuf (formerly Cat Stevens), Cat-O-Log/BMG, and Pledge Music have announced an extensive reissue of his 1978 album Back To Earth. The title will be re-issued in an array of formats and bundles.  Standard 1-CD and black vinyl editions are set to arrive on January 25, while a colored vinyl edition, deluxe 2-CD, and super deluxe versions will be available on May 3.

Originally released 40 years ago in December of 1978, Back To Earth found Stevens (who by that point had changed his name to Yusuf Islam, but who was still credited under his former moniker) reuniting with Paul Samwell-Smith, who had produced his legendary early '70s output.  The album also marked the return of collaborators Alun Davies on guitar, who also co-wrote two tracks, and Gerry Conway on drums.  Back To Earth was to be the artist's final pop album before retiring from the music business to focus on his faith, though Yusuf would eventually return to secular music in 2006 with An Other Cup.  The resulting collection was largely a return to the acoustic-driven numbers for which Stevens had become popular earlier in the decade.  Some songs deal with his retirement from music and his spiritual quests.  Meanwhile, "New York Times" and "Randy" have influences from the theatre.  Still, many of his evergreen themes -- love, youth, and relationships, for example -- are all present.  And while the album stalled at No. 33 on the charts and the singles didn't receive much airplay, Back To Earth was a remarkable coda to the classic A&M/Island era.

Next year, Cat-O-Log Records/BMG will celebrate the album with an exhaustive reissue campaign spanning many configurations.  Each includes a new remaster of Back To Earth created at Abbey Road from the original master tapes.

Arriving May 3, the mammoth, 8-disc super deluxe 5-CD/2-LP/Blu-ray edition pairs the new remaster with a disc of live tracks and rare demos, including two previously unheard tracks:  "Toy Heart" and "Butterfly."  Also included is the previous 2001 remaster of Back To Earth, plus Alpha Omega (A Musical Revelation),a Yusuf-produced 1978 recording by his brother David.  The final CD features Stevens' performance at the 1979 UNICEF Year of the Child benefit concert, which marked his farewell (for several decades, at least) to concert performing.  The sixth disc, a Blu-ray, features video footage of the UNICEF Year of the Child performance and a high-resolution version of the remastered Back To Earth album.  There's also an LP of the remaster and a further LP featuring the UNICEF concert.  Rounding out the set is a 50-page hardback book and exclusive memorabilia.  What's more, Pledge Music is also offering an array of bundles with the super deluxe, including a 7" single with the two unheard songs, pins, patches, scarves, shirts, and a signed (or standalone, unsigned) lyric sheet print of "Just Another Night."

If that's too much Cat for you, a pared-down version is also available.  Housed in deluxe packaging, the 2-CD deluxe version will be released on May 3 and boasts the original album remastered, plus a disc of rarities.  The standard 1-CD edition, which arrives on January 25, includes just the remaster of Back To Earth and is presented in a vinyl replica sleeve.

On the vinyl front, Cat-O-Log/BMG will issue a standard black LP version on January 25 and a special, rosewood colored vinyl pressing on May 3.  The black vinyl version will be pressed on heavyweight, 180-gram vinyl, while the rosewood pressing will be standard weight.

So, what better to put listeners in a state of good cheer than the news of a grand Cat Stevens reissue of a classic album?  We hope for more to come from Cat-O-Log/BMG in the future and look forward to the upcoming anniversary editions of Back To Earth.  You can get in on the celebration by pre-ordering any of the editions from the link below.  While track lists will be determined soon, scroll down to find a breakdown of the general content of all the configurations.

Cat Stevens, Back To Earth (originally A&M LP SP 4735, 1978 -- reissued Cat-O-Log/BMG, 2019) (Pledge Music)

Standard 1CD, Standard 1-LP, Rosewood Colored Vinyl 1-LP Tracklisting:
Side 1:
1. Just Another Night
2. Daytime
3. Bad Brakes
4. Randy
5. The Artist

Side 2:
1. Last Love Song
2. Nascimento
3. Father
4. New York Times
5. Never

Deluxe 2-CD Description:
- CD 1: Back To Earth: Original Album Remastered -- The 1978 album remastered from original analogue tapes to stunning effect at Abbey Road Studios
- CD 2: Distant Planets: Unearthed Gems -- Back To Earth live tracks, rare demos and two beautiful, completely unheard recordings:  "Toy Heart" and "Butterfly"
- Includes a 24 page booklet and Deluxe packaging

Super Deluxe Edition (5-CD/2-LP/BluRay) Description
- CD 1: Back To Earth: Original Album Remastered -- The 1978 album remastered from original analogue tapes to stunning effect at Abbey Road Studios
- CD 2: Return To Earth: The Original 2001 Stereo Master
- CD 3: Distant Planets: Unearthed Gems -- Back To Earth live tracks, rare demos and two beautiful, completely unheard recordings:  "Toy Heart" and "Butterfly"
- CD 4: Alpha Omega (A Musical Revelation) -- Completion of the circle. Yusuf helps his brother David realise his own musical ambition by producing the 1978 album Alpha Omega, featuring the much loved 'Child For A Day'
- CD 5: UNICEF Year Of The Child Concert at Wembley Arena 1979
- Blu-ray 1: UNICEF Year Of The Child Concert at Wembley Arena 1979 footage + High Res Original Album remastered.
- LP 1: Original Album Remastered
- LP 2: UNICEF Year Of The Child Concert at Wembley Arena 1979
- Includes a 50-page hardback book and exclusive memorabilia

7" Single Exclusive to some bundles
"Toy Heart" and "Butterfly"