Formed in 1967, Pentangle was the result of a collaboration of five brilliant musicians of the late 60s. Bert Jansch and John Renbourn, both outstanding guitarists who had previously worked together, joined vocalist Jacqui McShee an established figure on the traditional circuit, and bassist Danny Thompson and drummer Terry Cox of Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated. As well as traditional folk, their music embraced blues and jazz.

For the cover of their second album they turned to Peter Blake, the artist who had created the hugely successful Sgt Pepper album art for The Beatles.

This double album Sweet Child, which included two compositions by Charles Mingus, "Haitian Fight Song" and "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat", enjoyed considerable commercial success.