Classic John Martyn (CDS) - Island CID 265

1 Mar 1986
New Musical Express
Andy Gill

JOHN MARTYN
"Angeline" (ISLAND)

Few concepts can be as daft or as unnecessary as the 12" single, but that of the Compact Disc single, I think makes even the 12" seem relatively sane. That John Martyn's 'Angeline' should be chosen for this dubious honour, however, is a good poke in the eye for all this New Age Music nonsense which would seem to be custom built for CDs. A delicate, dowey floatation of a love song on spindly heron-legs of what sounds like a koto, make great virtue of simplicity & clarity, like Oriental calligraphy. It's accompanied by a confident, stylish re-working of 'Tight Connection To Your Heart' which brings out an appeal largely absent on Bob Dylan's original.

Andy Gill