Mona Bone Jakon marked the beginning of the Cat Stevens we know and love, forming alongside Teaser & the Firecat and Tea for the Tillerman the creative heart of Stevens's oeuvre. Though previous releases showcased his sticky burr of a voice and flashes of his songwriting brilliance, it was on Mona Bone that Stevens became disillusioned enough with the music industry to write more deeply introspective and personal songs. It's interesting to note that his disavowal of the biz (wryly commented upon in the song "Pop Star") coincides with his increasing popularity. You can hear Stevens finding his distinctive voice and sound on the first few bars of "Lady D'Arbanville" in all its baroque, emotive glory. "I Think I See the Light" marks the beginning of Stevens's lyrical spiritual pursuits, and "Trouble" stands among the best tracks in his career. All in all, Mona Bone Jakon is a delight, and because it never achieved the Top 40 radio ubiquity of later albums, it sounds fresh and distinct. --Tod Nelson