Portico Quartet are dead; long live Portico. With the departure of percussionist Kier Vine this September, the pioneering minimal jazz group have determined to continue as a trio. Wasting no time, they’ve returned to the studio to record a new album, due for release on Ninja Tune early next year. This gig in Islington’s splendid art deco Assembly Rooms will be the first chance to hear their new music.
The Portico Quartet were always one of those groups you’d be hard-pressed tag with a single genre or style. Founded by Londonors Jack Wylie (saxophone), Duncan Bellamy (drums), Milo Fitzpatrick (double bass) and now-departed Nick Mulvey (percussion), they came to the public’s attention after two years of busking on the South Bank. Distinguished by their use of the Hang – a futuristic percussion instrument with an incredible range of expression – the four were quickly signed.
Knee-Deep in the North Sea (2007), their debut, was a rousing success, Nominated for the Mercury Prize and voted Time Out’s best jazz album of the year. It introduced their signature sound – keening impressionistic saxophone over the more earthly sounds of the drum and double bass, with the Hang adding an almost gamelan-esque percussive backdrop. With Isla (2009), released on Peter Gabriel’s label, their previously chamber-piece music gained epic dimensions, with echoes of early 20th century classical music and a renewed sense of depth. And Portico Quartet (2012) saw them expand even further, drawing together the American minimalism of Reich and Riley with Norwegian abstract jazz, Flying Lotus-style beats, Eno-ish ambience and kosmische synths.
‘Living Fields,’ the sole track available from their upcoming record suggests an even wilder development. Joined by the dreamily-intoned, James Blakean vocals of Jono McCleery, their instrumentation reaches empyreal heights, drenched in cloud. They have embraced pop while remaining distinctive and avowedly experimental. Portico’s second run may well just become their defining one.
The Portico Quartet were always one of those groups you’d be hard-pressed tag with a single genre or style. Founded by Londonors Jack Wylie (saxophone), Duncan Bellamy (drums), Milo Fitzpatrick (double bass) and now-departed Nick Mulvey (percussion), they came to the public’s attention after two years of busking on the South Bank. Distinguished by their use of the Hang – a futuristic percussion instrument with an incredible range of expression – the four were quickly signed.
Knee-Deep in the North Sea (2007), their debut, was a rousing success, Nominated for the Mercury Prize and voted Time Out’s best jazz album of the year. It introduced their signature sound – keening impressionistic saxophone over the more earthly sounds of the drum and double bass, with the Hang adding an almost gamelan-esque percussive backdrop. With Isla (2009), released on Peter Gabriel’s label, their previously chamber-piece music gained epic dimensions, with echoes of early 20th century classical music and a renewed sense of depth. And Portico Quartet (2012) saw them expand even further, drawing together the American minimalism of Reich and Riley with Norwegian abstract jazz, Flying Lotus-style beats, Eno-ish ambience and kosmische synths.
‘Living Fields,’ the sole track available from their upcoming record suggests an even wilder development. Joined by the dreamily-intoned, James Blakean vocals of Jono McCleery, their instrumentation reaches empyreal heights, drenched in cloud. They have embraced pop while remaining distinctive and avowedly experimental. Portico’s second run may well just become their defining one.
| What | Portico, Islington Assembly Hall |
| Where | Islington Assembly Hall, Upper Street, Islington, London, N1 2UD | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Highbury & Islington (underground) |
| When |
On 04 Dec 14, 8:00 PM – 10:30 PM |
| Price | £19.50 |
| Website | Click here to book via Soundcrash |
