The UK based Pure Pleasure records seeme to be the audiophile reissue label of the moment. Concentrating mainly on jazz with the odd excusrsion such as this one, they employ the best mastering engineers, Steve Hoffman, Ray Staff and Graeme Durham.

In the short while this record has been in my pocession, it has, I think, become my favourite Mary Black record. I always want put it on, and then repeat it. I always sing along to it. I always marvel at the delicacy of her voice, the background and the musical arrangements. It is a sheer delight. It is a great choice for reissue.

Mary Black has always been noted as a singer with great recordings. I remember getting a free cd mounted on a British hi-fi magazine and marvelling at the sound.

This record I have not seen locally in the 2nd hand racks. Neither was I looking for it. BUt I would like to now compare this reissue to an original. Any other Mary Black recoding I have has always sounded very clean, pristine in its sound. I cannot say if this reissue betters the original. However, considering he original is probably very hard to find at all, let alone in good condition, this reissue is hard to fault. The recording itself is an essential.

The music itself is probably best described as a cross between pop and folk. It does indeed include a song penned by Richard Thompson. The tone is generally uplifting and even mystical. Mary's voice is light and always a joy to listen to. The record does in some way, remind me of Bryter Layter era Nick Drake. The arrangements are similar.

Again, all I can say is, I keep wanting to play this record.

Music is excellent. Sound is excellent. Sadly, considering the price, packaging is practically non existent. There is a simple cardboard outer sleeve, with some details on the back. Its not a gatefold and there's no inner picture sleeve. There is a plastic lined plain paper one. And the record is shrink wrapped rather than being housed in a resealable pvc sleeve.