Artist: Portishead
Title: Roads (Sultan & Tone Depth Mix)
Label: RR1000
By: Simon Jones | 20 October 2003
Tracklist:

• A: Roads (Sultan & Tone Depth Mix)

Portishead "Roads (Sultan & Tone Depth Mix)"

Named after the sleepy South West port of the same name, Portishead emerged practically out of nowhere in 1994 with the single 'Sour Times'. The group, consisting of band founder Geoff Barrow, vocalist Beth Gibbons (who's voice would soon turn her into one of the most respected and acknowledged vocalists of the 90s), drummer Dave Macdonald and guitarist Adrian Utley, found a niche with their unique blend of blues, jazzy beats and hip-hop, leading the trip-hop explosion of the time, with Beth's vocals adding a really gritty yet emotional edge to their music. The 1995 debut album 'Dummy' received the acclaimed Mercury Music Prize, bringing together all the band's three singles, and placing them alongside a range of other tracks. One of the most notable tracks on the album is without a doubt the harrowing 'Roads'. It's haunting Rhodes piano hook plucked at many heart strings of those who heard the album, and was sampled several years later on the Guy Gerber and Sahar Z track 'Kenny's Back'. Now however, the track is given a real tribute as Canadian duo Sultan and Tone Depth pay homage to the classic.

The original 'Roads' is a melancholic masterpiece with the stunning Rhodes piano line being complimented by one of Ms Gibbons' finest vocal performances. Luckily Sultan and Tone Depth realise that it would be sacrilegious to change either of these and leave them largely intact. It's the drum percussion that they weave in under some heavy bass action that adds a moody vibe to the track, the melody lines drifting over the top as the track heads into the main section where the stunning piano line takes over, leading into a brilliant vocal solo before the drums roll back in underneath to finish off. Not a drastic overhaul by any means, but what Sultan and Tone Depth do add turns this into a late night secret weapon to keep the dancefloor grooving.

The finest release on RR1000 since Infusion's superb mix of 'Pagan Poetry' by Bjork, and a track that deserves a place in your record box.