El Portal

New Trophy

Cam Jazz Presents CAMJ 3312-5

Item: full_album_8052405140531_CD

Artists :: Joe Rehmer ( Bass )
Nolan Lem ( Tenor Sax )
Rainer Davies ( Electric Guitar )
Paul Bedal ( Fender Rhodes )
Dion Keith Kerr IV ( Drums )
El Portal ( Band )
Release date: Mar 20, 2012
Duration: 0:43:52
Barcode: 8052405140531

The quintet EL PORTAL formed by Nolan Lem on saxophone, Rainer Davies on electric guitar, Paul Bedal on Fender Rhodes, Joe Rehmer on bass and Dion Keith Kerr IV on drums, originated in Miami, taking their name from a suburb of 2,500 inhabitants.

"It was in the autumn of 2006 when the five musicians found themselves hiding out in the same house for days from the violent Hurricane Katrina. They made a pact that, if all of them escaped unharmed, they would found a jazz band together. Not exactly typical. Although the end of their studies has spread them far and wide apart (Miami, Kansas City, Chicago and Foligno [Italy], where Joe Rehmer has taken up residence), they work hard to meet on Wednesday afternoons at the Lions Club. Their strong bond can be easily heard on this record. Their varied listening habits and performing experience are reflected in the currency of the music. Here and there we find hypnotic bass lines and rock riffs; but there's also a nod to Mingus and an affinity for drastic changes of tempo and mood which remind attentive listeners of John Zorn. But these similarities are incorporated into a musical whole which stands on its own strength, characterized by a search for unexplored sonic territory. These young musicians are covering ground, making strong original music with a conviction that belies their age." (F. Scoppio)

All original compositions.

Recorded in Cavalicco (Udine) on 18, 19 May 2011 at Artesuono Recording Studio Recording engineer Stefano Amerio

Reviews

There are a couple of conceptual entry points when first listening to El Portal’s New Trophy. The first is the group’s origins back in the autumn of 2006, when all five members (who hail from the Midwest and East Coast) were sequestered in a Floridian house during a hurricane and conceived a new band. The second is its atypical instrumentation — tenor saxophone, electric guitar, Fender Rhodes, bass and drums.
”Vortex”, the first of an entire album’s worth of original compositions by saxophonist Nolan Lem, offers tight yet mesmerizing melodic lines. The playing initially sounds disciplined and unified enough to be through-composed, though Lem’s explorative soloing further in carries an improvised sound and spirit. A sharp guitar and drum attack commences “Crunch l”, which has a teasing syncopated approach before morphing into a straightahead burner. Conversely, “Crunch ll” stretches out over a more deliberately explorative tempo.
The lovely “Portrait Of Paul” unfolds in a dignified manner, with Lem’s saxophone and Joe Rehmer’s bass coming across as particularly expressive. And there’s a fun, almost mischievous communal attack on closing track “Tazeropolis” as guitarist Rainer Davis and keyboardist Paul Bedal subtly jockey for advantage like competitive but loving brothers.

1/9/2012DownbeatYoshi Kato