Knee Deep in the North Sea

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
This year's jazz nomination for the Mercury Music Prize, iKnee-Deep in the North Sea/i 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. i--Steve Jelbert/i

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Customer reviews

review by: mark shackelford date: 2009-05-08 rating:
Inexcusably brilliant!
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? br / br /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. br / br /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. br / br /As my "elderly" daughter (she's 27) said - "But they're only 20!".

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review by: www.myspace.com/ajro date: 2008-12-16 rating:
blisssssssss
One of the best albums in years. Every track warms the soul... and it just gets better every time you listen to it. Its quite chilled music but the songs arte very upbeat (I cant desribe it, just listen to the sample snippets) Go see them live in a small venue and they'll be your new favouite group. :)

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review by: date: 2008-12-02 rating:
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. Bought the CD which was even better (better saxaphone!). The music stays with you, fills you, lifts you up.

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review by: date: 2008-10-31 rating:
Accessible jazz
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. br /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. br /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. br /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. br /Well worthy of purchase and a genuine highlight of 2008.


review by: date: 2008-08-04 rating:
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. They really deserve the Mercury nomination!

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