London Conversation
John Martyn
Release Date: 14 July 2023
Catalogue Number: UMCLP051
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Released in October 1967, London Conversation was the first album and the first 'rock' signing to Chris Blackwell's Island Records. With eight of the twelve tracks written by Martyn, it is easy to see why Blackwell was such a champion of his work. The five-minute plus sitar drone of Rolling Home pointed the way to the possibilities that lay ahead. The sleeve captured the earnest folky sitting among the capital's chimney tops, strumming his acoustic. At once Martyn was part of it; Martyn was above it.
The Tumbler
John Martyn
Release Date: 14 July 2023
Catalogue Number: UMCLP052
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Produced by fellow London scenester Al Stewart, The Tumbler was a huge step forward, presenting Martyn as the questing soul he would become; yet, for the abstraction of The Gardeners, there was the simple folk ditty of Fishin' Blues. With the exemplary flute playing of Harold McNair, Fly On Home is clear in its influence on Martyn's peer, Nick Drake. Knuckeldy Crunch and Slippledee-Slee Song demonstrates what would have happened if Syd Barrett had gone folk.
The Tumbler can be viewed also as the beginning of Martyn's slurred vocal style and sweet sentiment that was to chime with thousands of his aficionados in the UK.
Stormbringer!
John & Beverley Martyn
Release Date: 28 July 2023
Catalogue Number: UMCLP053
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John Martyn met Beverley Kutner and the pair married in 1969. Kutner was a dazzling folk singer who had been invited by Paul Simon to sing on Simon & Garfunkel's Bookends album. It was obvious that two such talents united in love should also unite in music. Stormbringer! – produced by Joe Boyd – was the first of two albums billed to both of them. Recorded in Woodstock, the album featured The Band's Levon Helm on drums on Beverley's standout, eight-minute long Sweet Honesty. Not to be overshadowed John also contributed John The Baptist, one of his career highlights, with Beverley adding sweet backing vocals.
The Road To Ruin
John & Beverley Martyn
Release Date: 28 July 2023
Catalogue Number: UMCLP054
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The second and final John and Beverley album, The Road To Ruin came out in late 1970; it is a mature, fully realised work, and a glimpse of what would have happened had Island not encouraged John to go back to being a solo artist. Opener Primrose Hill was later sampled by Fat Boy Slim, and the John-led Parcels offers a template for what would become his signature style as the decade progressed. It is one of those rare albums that creates its own atmosphere, late night intensity, middle age soul.