Name: Portable Radio
Brand: Portable Radio

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

CRO011LP

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Colour

Black

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2021-03-12

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

5051142008343

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Total Cap

1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No / black

Artist

Portable Radio

Genre GB

Alternative / Modern

Label GB

Cromson Crow

Portable grew out of the ruins of the post-apartheid era in South Africa and is a celebrated live act. Inspired musically, he relocated to London in 1997 and began recording as Portable, bridging indigenous African sounds with futuristic aesthetics. He founded Süd Electronic record label in 2002 and released acclaimed albums like "Futuristic Experiments #005" and "Powers of Ten." After moving to Lisbon, Portugal, he launched his alter ego project BODYCODE and signed with Ghostly International / Spectral. Berlin became his next base where he continued releasing music on Perlon. In 2016, he released his most personal album yet titled "Alan Abrahams." He later moved to Paris, established Khoikhoi Records, and released "The Transit of Mercury" in 2020. His latest album "My Sentient Shadow" was released in 2022 under Circus Company.
In London, Alan Abrahams began recording as Portable after relocating from South Africa in 1997. He founded Süd Electronic record label in 2002 and gained recognition for releases like "Gridshift" which received critical acclaim from The Wire and De:Bug magazine.
After moving to Lisbon in 2007, Portable recorded his album 'Powers of Ten' that explored his African heritage through a new sonic lexicon. He also released singles on legendary Berlin label Perlon like "Knowone Can Take away,"

Heady power pop trio Portable Radio announce the release of their debut eponymous LP on March 12th 2021 on Crimson Crow Records. Lead track and first single Hot Toddy, out in February, introduces the album with its ethereal brooding pop arrangement. Some years ago, the world started to go weird – and that’s when the then duo, Portable Radio, decided it was as good a time as any, to start making first steps. Phil … and Mof … shared some messages and a love of melodies, and as a gift to friends and those feeling the weight of everything, recorded a version of Brian Wilson’s gorgeous opus, Love &amp; Mercy. The result was enough for them to start writing songs, and the blueprint for Portable Radio was born – hope, empathy, fun, love, and mercy.

Phil had cut his teeth in the Beep Seals and Mof was a DJ and student of pop, and in each other they both wanted to make music that was a tonic for the times; what transpired was a clutch of songs that were filled with uplifting, rich harmonies – stirring power pop inspired by Todd Rundgren, Wings, Carole King, Electric Light Orchestra, NRBQ, Emitt Rhodes, ‘70s West Coast AOR, The Zombies, and of course, The Beach Boys.

The duo released their Baroque Pop debut single with You Are The Cosmos recordings – the double A-Side of ‘Seven Hills’ and ‘Parades’. A cult following started and some shows and radio sessions ensued, joined by extended family – tap room-Mozart Jim Noir, shed-pop wizard Aidan Smith, and Phil’s previous bandmate, the supremely talented Ian Smith (Beep Seals/Alfie). Soon, Robyn Gibson (The Junipers/Bob Of The Pops) joined the ranks for their star turn and appearance on the ‘12 String High’ compilation. The two becoming a trio, the output cranked up, seeing the release of the debut Portable Radio EP (produced by Jim Noir) and the Christmas Selection Box, all loaded with killer hooks, washes of dreamy harmonies, and just a sprinkling of cynicism because no-one is impervious to the all-encompassing weirdness of the last couple of years.

Music GB