Portico Quartet - Knee-deep in the North Sea
by Spencer Robertshaw
published: 21 / 1 / 2011
Label:
Select Label
Format: N/A
intro
Spencer Robertshaw looks at modern jazz outfit the Portico Quartet's 2007 debut album, 'Knewe-deep in the North Sea', which has just been re-released with extra tracks
If you like modern jazz, the sort that Gilles Peterson would play on his excellent late night radio show, then 'Knee-deep in the North Sea', the 2007 debut album of London band the Portico Quartet, which has just been reissued with extra tracks, will probably be of appeal to you. It has echoes of Courtney Pine with Jack Wyllie's precise saxophone work and pace, and it puts together many beautiful soundscapes that a jazz lover will become enthralled with from the first note. Portico Quartet are a seriously good band with razor sharp precision and delivery. There is incredible use by percussionist Nick Mulvey of an instrument called a Hang which can be describes as a fancy steel drum. I say fancy because of the way it is played - Fancy! There is a very mild spattering of vocals just to give an undercurrent of humanity to the precise soundscapes. As you listen to the album in full, it draws you in a very pleasant, chilled out way. It is a rebirth of the cool as you soak up the beautiful crisp waves of sound flowing towards you – velvet over a titanium fist. This is a great jazz album that makes me think of smokey Parisian jazz clubs in which the coolest of the cool relax for the evening. If you let life slide on by for a couple of hours whilst you recharge, then this is is an excellent record in which you can do that with.
Track Listing:-
Picture Gallery:-
reviews |
Live/Remix (2013) |
Flawed, but often courageous and adventurous live CD, which comes with an extra album of remixes, from chamber group, Portico Quartet |
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.The Church - Interview with Steve Kilbey
Simon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Flaming Stars - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPDwina Gibb - Interview
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Oasis - Oasis, Earl's Court, London, 1995
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Jimmy Nail - Interview
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Allan Clarke - Interview
Barrie Barlow - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Kula Shaker - Natural MagickIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for Bread
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
Inutili - A Love Supreme
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart