Catherine Howe, from the northern English town of Halifax, was already writing her own songs as a teenager. The London-based label Reflection – at that time still a sub-label of CBS – took notice of her and offered the then 20-year-old singer-songwriter a recording contract. Recording sessions began in the spring at London’s Trident Studios with extensive support from the American jazz pianist, bandleader, producer and songwriter Bobby Scott, who arranged her songs and produced her debut album.

Her first LP What A Beautiful Place, released in June 1971, is a pastoral blend of English country-folk and London orchestral pop with hints of jazz. The sound is subdued and moving and, combined with her pleasant voice, which shines with a wide vocal range, is not unlike albums such as Sandy Denny’s North Star Grassman and the Ravens or Nick Drake’s Bryter Layter. Her mature and complex compositions are remarkable for her age, at a time when most artists had barely developed more than basic musical skills. Unfortunately, the album, designed by the artist and photographer Terence Ibbott, was only available for a few weeks before her record label, Reflection, went bankrupt and it vanished completely into obscurity. Consequently, original English vinyl copies are now highly sought-after collector’s items. A real folk gem!