General Eclectic

Portmanteaux - a grab-bag of funk, soul, Rhythm and blues, world and melodic rock music - all instrumental, all with lashings of classic guitar and hammond organ sounds over an 'in the pocket' rhythm section. If you have ever grooved to The Meters, tuned into the soulful guitar of Peter Green or been lifted up by Paul Simon's Graceland you'll find something that grabs your attention on Portmanteaux's first EP 'General Eclectic'. It's organic instrumental music at it's best. Enough words already - listen up and enjoy! Portmanteaux is: Henry Jackson: lead and rhythm guitars Greg Murray: Drums and Percussion Nick Allen: Bass Steve Malkin: Organ/keyboards With special guests Mark Terner on trombone and Switzerland's own Philippe Conus on saxes. REVIEW OF PORTMANTEAUX GENERAL ECLECTIC CD 'The cover art of this 20 minute debut EP by Melbourne funk band Portmanteaux may not symbolise the CD's contents but anyone who enjoys organic instrumental music in the vein of Booker T & the MGs or The Meters will take delight in grooving to it's infectious sounds. It's great to see a band with such musical expertise strutting out on the strength of it's playing ability without having to rely upon vocals to appeal. Composers Henry Jackson (guitar) and Steve Malkin (keyboards), who each contribute three tracks, provide the four-piece band's hook laden jazz, R&B and world music influenced material, as substantial in melody as it is in rhythmic dynamics. Bassist Nick Allen and drummer percussionist Greg Murray switch back and forth from rocking Memphis styled rhythm and blues backbeats to foot-tapping New Orleans funk and whirling Caribbean flavoured patterns. Guest players Philippe Conus on saxophones and Mark Terner on trombone add a colourful dimension to a few of the mini album's tunes and put them in a class comparable with current Crescent City funksters Have Soul Will Travel, Brides Of Jesus and Big Sam's Funky Nation.' Al Hensley RHYTHMS Magazine, March 2006, p.84.