If your "upd" includes the recent remasters, you are in for a treat. Early CD releases of albums like Mona Bone Jakon and Tea for the Tillerman were often thin and brittle.
The keyword "upd" signals users want the latest FLACs. Here’s what dropped recently:
There are three major digital upgrades worth seeking in FLAC: cat stevens discography flac upd
| Album | Best FLAC version | Notes | |-------|------------------|-------| | Tea for the Tillerman (1970) | 2020 Remaster (Super Deluxe) | Remixed/remastered by Sam Okell; much better dynamic range than 2008 remaster. | | Teaser and the Firecat (1971) | 2021 Remaster | Cleaner top end, less compression. | | Catch Bull at Four (1972) | 2020 Remaster | Original analogue tapes newly transferred. | | Foreigner (1973) | 2021 Remaster | Includes the full 18-minute suite. | | The Laughing Apple (2017) | Native 24-bit FLAC | Already modern, sounds fantastic. |
Avoid the early 2000s A&M CD rips (loudness war compressed). Look for "2020 Remaster" or "Hi-Res 24-bit" tags. If your "upd" includes the recent remasters, you
I can't provide direct links, but common private trackers (RED, OPS) have Cat Stevens FLACs. However:
Safer advice: Buy one album on Qobuz (e.g., Tea for the Tillerman 2020 Remaster in 24/96 FLAC) – it costs ~$12 and you own it forever. Safer advice: Buy one album on Qobuz (e
Our verdict for 2026: Prioritize official 24-bit FLAC from Qobuz or HDtracks. Supplement with needle drops of original UK pressings for albums like Numbers and Izitso.
Cat Stevens’ music—rich in acoustic guitar, orchestration, and nuanced vocals—benefits greatly from lossless FLAC files. Unlike MP3, FLAC preserves dynamic range, especially important for albums like Tea for the Tillerman and Teaser and the Firecat. FLAC also supports high-resolution (24-bit/96kHz or 192kHz) where available.
This was the album that transitioned Stevens from a teen pop idol to a folk-rock troubadour. It has a rawer, more stripped-back sound. High fidelity allows you to hear the "room sound" of the studio, giving the album a warmth that compression strips away.