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Isla

Portico Quartet

Portico Quartet sound like nothing you have heard before. Their new album Isla was produced by John Leckie and is a dark-hued, multi-faceted masterpiece. Producer Leckie has brought an extra clarity to their arrangements, while the musicians have made good use of the Abbey Road studios to sculpt and enhance their sound with loop pedals, real-time electronics and overdubs. Nevertheless, 70 per cent of the album was performed live: 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.

"Try to imagine the coolest film never made. We mean really cool. Portico Quartet would provide the soundtrack" Channel 4.com

"A strikingly original sound." The Times

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Isla at realworldrecords.com