Part of the World Music Network Rough Guides series,[1] the album features mainly English folk, with some tracks covering other cultures from England's ethnic range.

[2] Phil Stanton, co-founder of the World Music Network, was the producer.

[3] The album received generally positive reviews.

Writing for AllMusic, Steven McDonald praised the track choices, saying it functions well as an "appetizer".

[2] BBC Music Magazine noted that instead of focusing on the preservers of tradition, the album featured "creators and extenders".