LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

Pentangle: The Albums: 1968-1972 box set to be released on vinyl for the very first time via Svart Records on 9th of May, 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.

The records have been remastered from the best available sources, with careful referencing of original tapes and vinyl where relevant. The master disc cutting is handled by Pauler Acoustics in Germany, renowned for their audiophile-quality releases. They utilize original Neumann VMS-82 cutting lathes and the Direct Metal Mastering (DMM) process, ensuring unmatched transparency and clarity. From there, the records are pressed at Puristamo in Helsinki, Finland, a plant known for its meticulous attention to detail and sustainability practices. Every record undergoes thorough hand inspection for quality. We’ve spared no effort to preserve the integrity of these brilliant albums—you can expect a listening experience worthy of their legacy.

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, limited clear/black marble vinyl, 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).