Rokia Koné & Jacknife Lee share brand new song ‘Fanga’
Following the success of their 2022 collaboration album BAMANAN, Rokia Koné & Jacknife Lee return w...
Thu, 27 April 23
Released 18 October 2009
Liner notes
Isla is a thoughtful and richly tuneful collection of nine pieces recorded by producer John Leckie at Abbey Road no. 2, a studio room made legendary by George Martin, the Beatles, Kate Bush and many others.
Leckie’s track record as a catalyst for emerging talent is legendary: not only for the famous examples, Stone Roses, Doves, XTC, Radiohead, but also for pioneering systems orchestra Lost Jockey (which spawned Man Jumping, ZTT’s Andrew Poppy, Orlando Gough, and soundtrack supremo John Lunn) and World Music stars such as Rodrigo & Gabriela and Papa Wemba.
Isla, the new album from Portico Quartet, is another step forward. Producer Leckie has brought an extra clarity to their arrangements, while the musicians have made good use of the studio to sculpt and enhance their sound with loop pedals, real-time electronics and overdubs. Nevertheless, 70 per cent of the album was performed live at Abbey Road: this is a band who can deliver on the promise of their recordings in concert; and vice versa. Their collectively written compositions evoke a universe of musical possibilities and influences. ‘Eventually, the sum of all our parts – and what we’ve been listening to – comes out,’ says Wyllie. Yet Portico Quartet sound like nobody else in jazz, World or contemporary music. Each of the nine tracks on Isla has a distinct mood and atmosphere, while remaining firmly within their soundworld. From the churning maelstrom of Clipper to the pounding pedal points of Dawn Patrol; from the fragile ostinatos of Line to the anthemic ensemble of the title track, Isla is an album whose contents reveal fresh nuances and facets on each listen.
Further Listening
Released 31 January 2011
Released 30 January 2012
Following the success of their 2022 collaboration album BAMANAN, Rokia Koné & Jacknife Lee return w...
Thu, 27 April 23
The album features an impressive cast of collaborators including Moonchild Sanelly and David Walters
Wed, 26 April 23
Jane Cornwell explores our new reissue series 'Africa Sessions at Real World'.
Wed, 25 May 22
Hannah Peel & Paraorchestra share new single, ‘We Are Part Mineral’, the latest to be taken from...
Fri, 11 March 22