8/10

Label: Real World   |   Released: 30.01.12.

Despite my initial disappointment of Portico QuartetÔÇÖs departure from the rich and organic acoustic approach that earned them a Mercury Prize nomination for their debut, I have grown to love this album.┬á Their second release, Isla, pointed in the direction that this album sees brought in to full fruition and I believe the reason for only now releasing a self-titled album is due to the band finding a sound that truly represents them. Deep bass lines and hypnotic grooves are layered with meandering saxophone lines throughout the album, not uncharacteristic for a Portico release, but it is the production and structure (both highly influenced by the world of electronic music) of the tracks that marks the most significant departure for the quartet.┬á Lacker Boo is great example of the collision of jazz and dance music ideals that run throughout this album; a relentless electronic drum and synth sample provides the backbone to the track while the bowed double bass and hang drum (an instrument now synonymous with the band) improvise sympathetically over it.┬á Meanwhile, Steepless sees the band incorporate vocals (provided by Swedish songwriter Cornelia Dahlgren) in to their sound for the first time, creating some of the most beautiful moments on the album. This album is unlikely to appeal to the more traditional jazz fan who was attracted to their earlier releases, but then Portico Quartet were arguably never a traditional jazz band.┬á These developments in their sound feel natural and exciting, and the culmination of which has produced a beautiful album which will undoubtedly reach and enthral a new audience.

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