|
Amazon.co.uk allows you to pay for your items in your local currency. Restrictions apply. Learn More. |
Product details
|
Track Listings
| 1. News From Verona |
| 2. Zavodovski Island |
| 3. Knee-Deep In The North Sea |
| 4. Too Many Cooks |
| 5. Steps In The Wrong Direction |
| 6. Monsoon - Top To Bottom |
| 7. The Kon Tiki Expedition |
| 8. Cittàgazze |
| 9. Pompidou |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
This year's jazz nomination for the Mercury Music Prize, Knee-Deep in the North Sea deserved all the praise thrown its way. From veterans it would have impressed, but coming from a group of young men making their debut, it's simply outstanding. Jack Wyllie's saxophone is distinctive enough, especially the soprano, ranging from the wistful to the dissonant. But the ear is repeatedly drawn to some unusual tones, sometimes harp-like, sometimes closer to a bell, that make up the tinkling arpeggios of the title track and the percussive strikes on "Steps in the Wrong Direction". These are produced on a modern percussion instrument called a Hang (the Quartet does not include a pianist), perhaps best compared to a tuned steel drum and invented in 2000 by a couple from Berne in Switzerland. ("Hang" is the local dialect word for "hand", the appendage used to play the thing). Drummer Duncan Bellamy came across one for sale at a festival and it soon became an integral part of the Quartet's sound. In the hands of Nick Mulvey it adds a subtle exoticism to pieces like "The Kon Tiki Expedition" and the forceful "(Something's Going Down On) Zavodovski Island". "Cittagazze" and "Pompidou" are more formal, showing an obvious classical influence. Tough jazzbos they aren't--this is undeniably a gentle and often cerebral record in a European tradition--but the Portico Quartet are skilled and imaginative beyond their years. --Steve Jelbert
Review
The remarkably youthful Portico Quartet's debut disc is one of the 2008 Mercury Prize nominations, but we all know that the token folk, classical or jazz contenders have almost zero chance of winning, when set against the rock and pop mainliners. It doesn't help when this London combo's album is somewhat coffee-tabled in character (or maybe it does).
The Portico twin-hang instrumentation marks them out immediately with a unique jazz palette. What does this mean? A hang is a little-known descendant of the steel drum, smaller, and with the look of a flying saucer. Straight away, this gives their sound a Caribbean resonance, but it also imparts a sense of opalescent New York minimalism, coupled with a faint aura of Indonesian gamelan. All this and a drums, bass saxophone line-up too. This whole original concept grew out of drummer Duncan Bellamy purchasing a hang at a festival, then presumably recommending that Nick Mulvey buy another, thus creating a double hang situation.
All of the pieces are their own works, and the Porticos make a key feature of precisely twining melodies, with Jack Wyllie's predilection for the soprano horn imparting a bittersweet tone, set against the rippling warmth of the hangs. On Zavodovski's Island, there's an attempt at striking up a groove, in a slightly prissy manner, appealingly lightweight, but a touch too gentle. Then, the title piece is a waltzing, swaying caress of a tune. The reggae tip-toe of Too Many Cooks suggests a ballet collaboration might be forthcoming, and Monsoon also goes for the stippled skank, before quieting down again. A snatch of squall colours Wyllie's soprano fleetingly, and then it's back to the ineffectual prettiness. There's nothing actually 'wrong' with this music, but it's definitely not for jazzers who dig swallowing heavy roughage. --Martin Longley
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I picked this up after reading about the group in Jazzwise and I'm glad I did. Then "Jazz line up's" reviewer canned them as a one trick pony - why? Because they introduce a relatively new instrument called a "Hang" (think cross between steel drums and vibes). So I listened again. The appreciation remained. Its a fresh take on the usual sax-piano-bass-drums quartet, not just because of the hang but because of the musicianship and originality too. Brit Jazz meets Scandinavia, perhaps, if that helps, but they won me over without comparisons.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Heard one of the tunes from this album on the radio (it probably got the airplay courtesy of the Mercury Music Prize nomination) and was immediately hooked.
The truth is, the word 'jazz' is normally enough to send a shiver of terror down my spine - but 'Knee Deep In The North Sea' is about as accessible an album as you will buy this year.
Indeed, the Portico Quartet appear to have more in common with the likes of Penguin Cafe Orchestra and Ellis Island Sound than the traditional self-indulgent trillings that most will associate with the genre.
This is a joyous, uplifting record that makes me want to skip about in smiley abandon, and there really aren't enough of those about. Great melodies, sunshine vibes and a 'hidden' track at the end that is one of the best on a pretty wonderful collection.
Well worthy of purchase and a genuine highlight of 2008.
The truth is, the word 'jazz' is normally enough to send a shiver of terror down my spine - but 'Knee Deep In The North Sea' is about as accessible an album as you will buy this year.
Indeed, the Portico Quartet appear to have more in common with the likes of Penguin Cafe Orchestra and Ellis Island Sound than the traditional self-indulgent trillings that most will associate with the genre.
This is a joyous, uplifting record that makes me want to skip about in smiley abandon, and there really aren't enough of those about. Great melodies, sunshine vibes and a 'hidden' track at the end that is one of the best on a pretty wonderful collection.
Well worthy of purchase and a genuine highlight of 2008.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have just seen this jazz group live at the Brighton festival. Who do they think they are? These four young lads have been wasting their time developing extraordinary skills in composition, instrumental dexterity, and general musical excellence when they should have been on their play-stations, or hanging around in Kevin mode, or couch-potatoing. Duh?
But the rest of us will benefit from this glorious sound. This is exciting and original jazz with nods to a wide range of musical eras. I am sure I heard bits of "Islands"-era King Crimson (when KC was a jazz band) along with the more exotic fuzzy bits of the late lamented EST.
The focus of the group is the Hang, a sort of inverted steel-drum which plays like a marimba - and provides a beautiful, hypnotic rhythm over which the sax and bass weave delicious harmonies. The drummer switches effortlessly between soft swishing brushes, to sudden bursts of hard-rock thunder. The bass-player sent tingles down the spine with some stunning (and complex) riffs - and the sax player used tape loops to build up yet more soundscapes for the band to play over.
As my "elderly" daughter (she's 27) said - "But they're only 20!".
But the rest of us will benefit from this glorious sound. This is exciting and original jazz with nods to a wide range of musical eras. I am sure I heard bits of "Islands"-era King Crimson (when KC was a jazz band) along with the more exotic fuzzy bits of the late lamented EST.
The focus of the group is the Hang, a sort of inverted steel-drum which plays like a marimba - and provides a beautiful, hypnotic rhythm over which the sax and bass weave delicious harmonies. The drummer switches effortlessly between soft swishing brushes, to sudden bursts of hard-rock thunder. The bass-player sent tingles down the spine with some stunning (and complex) riffs - and the sax player used tape loops to build up yet more soundscapes for the band to play over.
As my "elderly" daughter (she's 27) said - "But they're only 20!".
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Was this review helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
knee deep in the north sea
bought this and Isla based on a friend's recommendation - both were disappointing!! spend your money elsewhere...
Published on 5 Mar 2010 by sinnicle crittercool
Great find
If you like jazz or even if you don't you will most likely find many tracks to like on this album. Make sure to listen for "prickly pear" at the end of the disc. Read more
Published on 8 Feb 2010 by R. BUKOWSKI
blisssssssss
One of the best albums in years. Every track warms the soul... and it just gets better every time you listen to it. Read more
Published on 16 Dec 2008 by A. Rowe
absolute fab
Seen them on stage, where the saxophonist forgot his instrument and played on a borrowed one, A real impressive performance, each musician as good as the other. Read more
Published on 2 Dec 2008 by J. Drost
Great band.
Portico Quartet are a really great band playing music with real passion. I've also seen them live at a couple of gigs supporting Tom Baxter and they blew the audiences away. Read more
Published on 4 Aug 2008 by C. Goor
A great young band
I first heard this band busking on London's South Bank; then later at the Vortex in Dalston, the Carling Academy in Islington and also at the Sage in Gateshead; they are a fine... Read more
Published on 20 Feb 2008 by Thistoowillpass
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
