Pentangle

Doyens of the late 1960s UK folk scene, the London-based Pentangle blended folk, jazz, pop and rock to create a unique niche for themselves within the genre; they even had some commercial success, something previously unheard of within folk circles.

Their 1968 album 'Basket of Light' went to number five in the UK charts, buoyed by the surprise hit single 'Light Flight' which had been used as the theme for the popular BBC drama 'Take Three Girls'. At that point in time, Pentangle's career had been on an upward trajectory. They could claim to be folk's first supergroup, formed when two successful folk artists, guitarists Bert Jansch and John Renbourn, combined their talents with double bassist Danny Thompson and drummer Terry Cox, both of whom were accomplished jazz musicians and had played together in Alexis Korner's band. The band were fronted by folk singer Jacqui McShee and their inaugural concert was a sell-out performance at the Royal Festival Hall.

Pentangle burned brightly for a short period of time but by the early '70s this appeal had started to fade. Their 1971 album 'Reflection' received poor reviews and various contractual issues created divisions within the group. 'Solomon's Seal', released in 1972, was the final album by the original line-up. There have been subsequent re-incarnations and reunions of the band, primarily Jacqui McShee's Pentangle who recorded four albums between 1995 and 2005.