The estate of Nick Drake will release a new box set this summer titled The Making of Five Leaves Left.Due on July 25, the collection includes 30 previously unheard outtakes from the sessions that resulted in the singer-songwriter’s debut album, 1969’s Five Leaves Left.According to a press release, “the choice of tracks was made in order to tell the story as faithfully as possible, and not simply to release all the takes on all of the tapes.” It includes Drake’s first ever session at Sound Techniques studio in London, a tape recording from when he was still a student at the University of Cambridge, plus recording charts and more.The set, mastered by John Wood and Simon Heywood, will be available in both 4CD and 4LP versions. Both include the original Joe Boyd-produced album.A complete track listing is available below, as well as a song from the box set, an early version of “‘Cello Song” titled “Strange Face” (1st Sound Techniques Session, March / 1968).A Bit About Nick Drake’s First AlbumDrake, a famously shy and asocial figure in the world of music, landed his first record deal at age 20 when he was still a student. Sessions for Five Leaves Left were sometimes tense and unorganized, and the album was not well-promoted when it was released in July of 1969.”He was very secretive,” Drake’s sister, Gabrielle, told The Guardian in 2004. “I knew he was making an album but I didn’t know what stage of completion it was at until he walked into my room and said, ‘There you are.’ He threw it on to the bed and walked out!”Reviews of Five Leaves Left in 1969 were mostly positive, though not overwhelmingly enthusiastic, and most of its accolades and praise have been given in the years since Drake’s death by suicide in 1974.The Making of Five Leaves Left is now available for pre-ordering.’The Making of Five Leaves Left,’ Track ListingLP1 – 1st Sound Techniques Session aka The Beverley Martyn demo & Alt Takes from February 1968 to April 1969 Side A1. “Mayfair” — 1st Sound Techniques Session – March 19682. “Time Has Told Me” — 1st Sound Techniques Session – March 19683. “Man In A Shed” – 1st Sound Techniques Session – March 19684. “Fruit Tree” — 1st Sound Techniques Session – March 19685. “Saturday Sun” — 1st Sound Techniques Session – March 19686. “Strange Face” — 1st Sound Techniques Session – March 1968Side B1. “Strange Face” – Rough Mix with Guide Vocal – September 19682. “Day Is Done” – Take 5 – April 19683. “Day Is Done” – Take 2 – November 19684. “Day Is Done” – Take 7 – April 19695. “Man In A Shed” – Take 1 – May 19686. “My Love Left With The Rain” – Cambridge, Lent Term 1968LP2 – Paul de Rivaz Reel – October 1968 / Out-Takes November 1968 Side A1. “Blossom” – Cambridge, Lent Term 19682. “Instrumental” – Cambridge, Lent Term 19683. “Made To Love Magic” – Cambridge, Lent Term 19684. “Mickey’s Tune “– Cambridge, Lent Term 19685. “The Thoughts of Mary Jane” – Cambridge, Lent Term 19686. “Day Is Done” – Cambridge, Lent Term 19687. “Time Has Told Me” – Cambridge, Lent Term 1968Side B1. “Three Hours” – Take 2 – November 19682. “Time Has Told Me” – Take 4 – November 19683. “Strange Face” – Take 1 – November 19684. “Saturday Sun” – Take 1 – November 19685. “Fruit Tree” – Take 4 – November 1968LP3 – Out-Takes from December 1968 to April 1969 Side A1. “Time of No Reply” – Take 3 into Take 4 – December 19682. “‘Cello Song” – Take 4 – January 19693. “Mayfair” – Take 5 – January 19694. “River Man” – Take 1 – January 1969Side B1. “Way To Blue” – Cambridge – Winter 19682. “The Thoughts of Mary Jane” – Take 2 – April 19693. “Saturday Sun” – Take 1 into Take 2 – April 19694. “River Man” – Take 2 – April 1969LP4 – The Original Album – Released 3rd July 1969 Side A1. “Time Has Told Me”2. “River Man”3. “Three Hours”4. “Way To Blue”5. “Day Is Done”Side B1. “‘Cello Song”2. “The Thoughts of Mary Jane”3. “Man In A Shed”4. “Fruit Tree”5. “Saturday Sun”1968’s Best Rock AlbumsIt was a pivotal 12 months for rock ‘n’ roll, a period that rivaled 1967 as one of popular music’s very best. Gallery Credit: Michael Gallucci