Road To Ruin, John & Beverley Martyn, LP

A complex and sometimes belligerent character in real life, on record, John Martyn was the epitome of the folk-dreamer, embodying the spirit of the bourgeoning London acoustic scene of the late 60s. Well- known and respected for his 70s albums Solid Air and One World, this is where it began. 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 it's own atmosphere, late night intensity, middle age soul. This re-issue faithfully replicates the original 1970 Island Records UK release and is pressed onto high quality 180g vinyl.