The Road To Ruin: Vinyl LP

Label: Proper Records
Release Date: 28th July

John and Martyn follow up 'Stormbringer' the same year with their final work together but sounding like a whole new era for the duo, like the kind of progression you'd expect to be perfected years after not months. 'Ruin' has a little more jazz to it with it's piano lead ballads and delicious sax solos. 

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 its 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.

Tracks:
Primrose Hill
Parcels
Auntie Aviator
New Day
Give Us A Ring
Sorry To Be So Long
Tree Green
Say What You Can
Road To Ruin