2025 Repress. John and Beverley Martyn's legendary 1970 masterpiece Stormbringer! stands as one of the most emotionally profound and musically adventurous documents of the folk-rock transition era. Recorded in the shadow of Woodstock with an all-star cast including Levon Helm of The Band, this remarkable album captures a moment when two exceptional artists created something far greater than the sum of its parts. Born from the unlikely but magical union of Glasgow folk guitarist John Martyn and Coventry singer Beverley Kutner, Stormbringer! emerged during the summer of 1969 in Woodstock, New York, under the guidance of producer Joe Boyd and musical director Paul Harris. What began as sessions for Beverley's solo project transformed into a groundbreaking collaboration that would herald John's evolution from traditional folk into the jazz-influenced territory that would define his legendary career.

The album's ten tracks reveal two distinct but complementary voices exploring themes of love, loss, and spiritual searching with remarkable depth. John's contributions showcase the early development of his innovative guitar techniques - particularly on the stunning closer "Would You Believe Me," which features his pioneering use of echoplex effects that would become his signature. Meanwhile, Beverley's four compositions, including the sultry seven-minute "Sweet Honesty," demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of blues and jazz that rivals anything in the contemporary folk canon.

Critics have consistently praised Stormbringer! as "ahead of its time," with John himself later reflecting that the album's experimental approach to folk-rock arrangements influenced countless musicians. The title track, featuring Herbie Lovelle's sublime drumming and Paul Harris's pastoral piano work, has been described as containing "the most beautiful passage on any John Martyn record." The album's unique blend of intimate acoustics, jazz rhythms, and psychedelic textures creates what one reviewer called "the perfect autumn music" - a deeply atmospheric work that captures both the optimism and melancholy of the era's end.

Enhanced by contributions from Harvey Brooks on bass, Billy Mundi on drums, and featuring The Band's Levon Helm, Stormbringer! represents a crucial bridge between the folk revival and the jazz-rock fusion that would dominate the 1970s. The album's influence on Fairport Convention, Jefferson Airplane, and countless other artists of the period cannot be overstated, yet it has remained criminally overlooked in discussions of the era's essential recordings.

Stormbringer! is more than a historical curiosity - it's a work of profound emotional resonance that speaks directly to contemporary listeners. Its exploration of relationship dynamics, spiritual questioning, and artistic evolution feels remarkably current, while its musical innovations continue to inspire musicians across genres. For those discovering it for the first time, prepare for a journey into one of British music's best-kept secrets.

A testament to the power of collaboration and the magic that can occur when two extraordinary talents unite at the perfect moment, Stormbringer! stands as an essential document of early 1970s creativity and a profound statement of artistic courage.