25/04/2025
Pentangle: The Albums: 1968-1972 boxset to be released on vinyl for the very first time via Svart Records on 16th April 2025
1968 to 1972, saw the release of 6 studio albums from Folk’s first supergroup Pentangle. Featuring the songwriting talents of guitarists Bert Jansch and John Renbourn, alongside bassist Danny Thompson, drummer Terry Cox and singer Jacqui McShee, their innovative folk-fusion encompassed elements of jazz as well as pop, which left a lasting influence and legacy.
The first 5 albums were released on legendary Folk label Transatlantic, while Solomon’s Seal (1972), on the Reprise label, was their final album with the original line-up.
Now for the first time ever, these albums are available as a 14LP deluxe box set. Each album has been expanded with a wealth of bonus material, including choice selections from contemporaneous solo LPs by Bert Jansch and John Renbourn, out-takes and live tracks. Across the package, there is an impressive amount of 22 recordings which are previously unreleased on LP. Some of the albums are being reissued on vinyl for the first time in decades with Solomon’s Seal last being released as an LP in 1977, shortly followed by Reflection in 1980.
Each album is presented in a gatefold sleeve replicating the original artwork. These are housed in an rigid slipcase box alongside an special gatefold holding a 64-page book awash with rare images and over 20,000 words of sleeve-notes, which include: a Q&A culled from past interviews by author Mick Houghton with Bert, John and Jacqui; essays about each album by a variety of music journalists (Stuart Penney, Trevor Leeden, Nigel Cross, Colin Irwin, Lois Wilson and Jim Wirth); a lengthy chronology; and track-by-track details.
Jacqui McShee from the band comments on the boxset:
“I am honoured to see our work as Pentangle celebrated with this special vinyl boxset release. The collection represents a journey through a significant chapter in music history—one in which we sought to experiment and explore each other’s talents and just enjoy making music together.
Each song and album hold a special place in my heart, not only for the music itself but for the incredible memories and experiences that we shared as a band. I hope this release brings listeners, both old and new, the same joy and connection that we felt while creating this music together.
To all our fans who have supported our music over the years, thank you. You are keeping the Pentangle legacy alive, and I hope this boxset serves as a celebration of all that we accomplished together”.
This vinyl boxset will be available in 3 variations: black, Solomon’s Seal edition – natural transparent w/ blue and white marble and the Svart exclusive multicolour limited 250 copies edition, which is only available via Svart Records webstore.
Their debut, The Pentangle (1968), was hailed as a Folk Rock classic and reached No. 21 in the UK album charts. This was swiftly followed in the same year by their ambitious double album Sweet Child. The band’s 3rd LP Basket Of Light (1969) was their most commercially successful, reaching number 5 in the charts. 1970’s album Cruel Sister, saw the group reinterpret traditional folk songs, while Reflection (1971), is seen by many as their most adventurous, with them continuing to explore new musical ground.
Pentangle’s first three albums and three singles were produced by the legendary Shel Talmy (The Who, The Kinks, etc.) while Peter Blake designed the sleeve for Sweet Child (one of only three such commissions in the 60s).
Pentangle’s The Albums: 1968-1972 boxset is released by Svart Records on 16th April 2025.
“during that five-year period they were so creative, atmospheric and driven that you’d be hard-pressed to imagine any of their modern descendants achieving anything on this level” – The Quietus
“gorgeous pop melody soars over glistening guitars and a fidgety groove” – The Guardian
Yeah, but is there an in depth essay, in a lavish booklet, included? By that bloke off the telly.
All booklets should be lavish.
It sounds like a lovely thing, very pleased to see a black vinyl option, but who has the space (or cash) for a 14 LP box set? My Kallax is reaching bursting point!
Talking of Jacqui McShee, I recently bought The Modern Jazz And Folk ensemble LP, a jazz take on the hits of John Martyn, Nick Drake and this:
Oooh, I like that. Jacqui has an incredible voice still, doesn’t she?
Yes, and it sounds amazing on (sensibly-priced) vinyl on, of all labels, Acid Jazz.
I knew before I opened this thread exactly who the perpetrator was. I was not disappointed. I have the CD set and jolly good it is too…especially the booklet and especially the text contributed to the booklet by the perpetrator of this thread. What all this rambling from yours truly amounts to is if you have a turntable you could do a lot worse than to bung this on your want list to Santa.
Thank you, Pencil. I’m not in any way involved in the LP set but thought it was a matter of seconds to post it on the Noticeboard here…
By chance, I’ve been approached by a couple of labels regarding further mining of the caves of ‘Tangledom and one of its constituent parts. Expect some goodies next year.
Consider my breath properly bated.
Noted. My good pal / mastering maestro Cormac O’Kane often says that the end of time there will only be cockroaches and hitherto unreleased Pentangle performances.
Ha!
If anyone fancies reviewing this set drop me a message please….
You’ve got a secure streaming link, I’m guessing. It would be madness for a label to post out physical review copies of a 250-run vinyl set.
Yes just a download of the content and booklet.
It’s almost always a download or a stream these days, very little in the way of physical product especially for the expensive box sets.
Btw I think.only the multi coloured vinyl edition is limited to 250 copies – the other 2 vinyl editions seem to be unlimited.