Portico Quartet: From Mercury to Real World

The quartet paid its dues busking around London and picking up small gigs here and there for nearly two years before recording for the independent jazz label Babel/Vortex in August 2007. Since then, Portico has been propelled to British jazz stardom, attracting a wide audience through its unique brand of dance-friendly world jazz. The band’s first album Knee Deep in the North Sea immediately received praise from the critics (winning The Times  jazz/world/folk album of the year in 2007) and was later nominated for a Mercury music prize last year. Portico has now taken the next step on the industry ladder, by signing to Peter Gabriel’s Real World label, and announcing a much anticipated second album for the label. Drafted in to work with the band is one of Britain’s most prolific record producers, John Leckie. Leckie, best known for producing bands such as Radiohead, Muse and the Stone Roses, will be teaming up with the band at Abbey Road studios next month. A spokesperson for the band praised Oliver Weindling and the Babel/Vortex label for all the support and knowledge given to Portico which helped the band on its road to success. Recording for the new label, however, was an opportunity “too good” to turn down. “We are all excited that Real World’s broad musical remit, international reputation and contacts should help as many people as possible hear the band's unique and beautiful music,” he said. Next month Portico are out on the road again, with dates including the Cheltenham Jazz Festival (3 May) and the Bath Festival (23 May). For more go to myspace.com/porticoquartet

- Lewis Clement