Michel Portal JL 30.x.11

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

French saxophonist Michel Portal is also one of the world's great classical clarinettists, and a restless musical experimenter. In this week's programme, prior to a concert at the London Jazz Festival, Portal joins Alyn Shipton to pick some of the best examples of his recorded jazz. From his multi-tracked solo "Dajarme" via work on clarinet, soprano, alto and tenor sax to his most recent album "Baliador", selections from which he will play in London, Portal's choices are eclectic and dazzlingly virtuosic

looking forward to this

Portal is always interesting .....

[Ian Thumwood]

Have to admit being a partisan and therefore my judgement about this fabulous musician is not ambiguous.
The music on this programme is absolutely terrific. There is no doubting that Michel Portal is one of the great figures in European jazz and certainly deserves to be justly celebrated. It's great that "Jazz library" is dedicating a programme to his music as I feel Portal is unfairly over-looked in this country - indeed I think he still remains an obscure figure in French jazz. One of my mates was hugely dismissive of his playing and if you come emersed from the American, Hard bop tradition as he does there is probably very little for you in Portal's music.

I've got a couple of Portal discs and have seen him on a couple of occasions. Without doubt the current band with Bojan Z, Ambrose Akinmisure, Scott Colley and Nasheet Waits is a killing outfit. As touched upon during the programme, the only thing standard about a Portal record is the variety of music that a typical disc will incorporate. As someone who would be keen to explore more of this musician's catelogue, the programme gave an excellent overview. The only thing I can think that is missing is his work with the keyboardist Bernard Lubat as I understand that this is quite a celebrated partnerhsip in France. I've heard them perform a freely improvised set once.

"Turbulence" is a fabulous disc and the title track is unlike anything else in jazz although I am sorry that I would struggle to see the links with drum n' bass. Nothing settles on this track and the music to me sounds like the uncoiling of a slinky spring descending steps in an odd succession of numbers. It is just wierd. This is the best track on this record although other tracks nod towards an African -inspired John Surman on "Mozembique" , touchs of Dolphy and the faboulous "Basta" where Portal picks up his bandoneon to lock horns with Richard Galliano's accordeon. Always loved the tune "Metis" though. It is strnage to think of jazz in the 80's being polarised by the Neos and the Downtown scene. Portal's music has nothing to to with either and this is why I feel "Turbulence" has aged so well. The fact that he also eschewed the ECM path also serves to make him far more of an outsider than anyone else on this continent.


All in all, the music is exceptional. I also have his CD "Any way" which features an all-star cast but the impression is that this is a studio album where the musicians were not necessarily in the same studio. Tracks like "Octaver" and "James" are great but this is more of a produced affair. The final track is a re-development of a Gil Evans' theme and features Kenny Wheeler.

Portal is quite unlike any other musician in jazz. His style of composition is readily distinctive and pushes the boundaries of what jazz means in a manner that is wholly unexpected and original. It will be curious to read other thoughts from fellow posters as I would imagine that this music could be devisive.

[Ian Thumwood]

Staggered by the indifference on this board to this edition of Jazz Library. Great to hear so much music that is unfamiliar from a musician who seems to be as original and unique in his way as someone like Joe Harriott was in this country. An original and fascinating voice in jazz, it was fascinating to hear the varied contexts of his music. Some of his music is pretty outside and then it can plunge into an idiom that may seem almost nostalgic. I prefer the edgier music and the opening solo track was far more agreable than what I usually find with unaccompanied saxophonists. The band with Akinmisure is oddily the most obviously jazz-rooted of all the music and I suppose the presence of so many American musicians serves to pull Portal away from the obvious Gallic idiosyncricities. I stand by my enthusiasm for the trumpeter's work but this band sounded far more exciting live than on the track chosen - the use of Waits on drums also seemed to pull the band into a more off-centre direction than DeJohnette.

In summary, one of the best JL's for ages - a disappointment that it doesn't appear to have attracted the interest on this board. Certainly more challenging and , dare I say it, musically importnt than the "soul jazz lite" of the lauded Harold McNair posted on another thread. Portal remains one of the great original thinkers in today's world of jazz. Sadly over-looked by too many, in my opinion.

[burning dog]

Do yuo really think the Jazz Club track is soul jazz lite? I won't force you to go to thread again Ian

[handsomefortune]

i haven't got round to the portal as yet, but i will.

i having been resisting typing that 'portal is a very rounded musician'. haha .... (terrible i know)

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

must agree with you ian, i have some Portal but not the featured albums .... mind blowingly good stuff


Fordham on Bailador


oh and a special thanks to Alyn who seems to have got on well with M Portal, prog is interesting for the insights and background as well as the music ....

[handsomefortune]

the insights and background

and translations, were good, agreed.

i liked most of the music - untill the last track...unfortunately the very stuff he'll be playing at the festival, not to my taste (at least).

but then, neither is curent day herbie hancock.

[burning dog]

I thikn this is great and I don't think it sounds unjazzy or specially "Euro", obviously a long way from hard bop, but otherwise in the tradition.

Coincidentally I've seen two of these musicians with Herbie Hancock you never know what you're getting from him.

[Alyn_Shipton]

Thanks for the kind words about the translation. I had to ask each question in English, ask it again in French (cut out from the broadcast) and then Michel answered in French. When I got back to the UK, I translated his answers and we superimposed the actor's voice. One of the more complex bits of JL production since talking to all three Heath brothers...

[Ian Thumwood]

I've managed to find my copy of "Any Way" and been giving thst CD a spin. This is a strange record in that it includes some wonderfully knotty themes from Portal performed by an array of French jazz musicians but there are tow track "Octaver" and "James" which were recorded by an American group including Victor Bailey, Kevin Eubanks and Gil Goldstein with the saxophonist's contributions being recorded in a studio in France and pasted on top. The American band sounds a bit like a version of "Waether Report" , the track "Octaver" sounding like a jivey version of Miles' "Jean Pierre."

The oddest track is the final one which is the most "orthodox" and features a sax, trombone and trumpet front line (the latter played by Kenny Wheeler.) The main theme is by Portal but the arrnagement terminates with another theme composed by Gil Evans and gives the impression of the kind of music the Canadian was writing in the late 50's. That said, the raga-influenced track "toccatta" is the stand-out on the whole CD and is hugely compelling over it's 10 minute duration. The whole feel of the rhythm is wonderful but Didier Lockwood's violin solo is an absolute peach.