Sultans of Swing was first recorded in summer 1977, then re-recorded and released as a single the following May. The band’s eponymous first album followed soon after, recorded in Basing Street Studios in London from 13th February to 5th March 1978. Infused with the sound of early sixties Fender Stratocasters – no synthesisers here – it further underlined the fact that Dire Straits were more in the mould of JJ Cale and Eric Clapton than the New York Dolls. Produced by Muff Winwood and engineered by Rhett Davies, the new album had a more grown-up feel than any of the band’s chart contemporaries.

Alongside the beautifully crafted songs and superlative playing, the other standout feature of that first album was its sound quality. It was quickly adopted by the hi-fi cognoscenti as a great sounding modern LP, ideal for showing off any self-respecting stereo system. Recorded at what was arguably the high watermark of analogue, it had a clean and expansive sound that cosseted the listener. Compare that to the dry and forward tonality that contemporaries like Rush were getting on ‘Permanent Waves’ – recorded in September 1979 – and it was easy to see why we loved it so. 

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Debut studio album by the British rock band, originally released in 1978. The album produced the hit single 'Sultans of Swing', which reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 8 on the UK Singles Chart.

Tracklisting:

1. Down to the Waterline 4.02
2. Water of Love 5.27
3. Setting Me Up 3.20
4. Six Blade Knife 4.13
5. Southbound Again 2.59
6. Sultans of Swing 5.49
7. In the Gallery 6.17
8. Wild West End 4.42
9. Lions 5.04