Continuing the group’s deep exploration of Spiritual Jazz and the 60s New Thing - honouring the spirit of Alice Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders The album marks their first recording since the passing of ATA guitarist Chris “Earl” Dawkins. Its four tracks trace the band’s collective journey through grief and reflection, standing as both a testament to Chris’s artistry and a tribute to his enduring influence.
A Portal To Here brings the spirit of Alice Coltrane via Alice Roberts on harp, as well as Sun Ra-esque horn sections featuring the cream of Yorkshire reed and brass players, who lift the mood whenever they appear. Percussion, and particularly the celebratory sound of group handclaps, infuse the whole album with emotional intensity, whether that be joy or sorrow.
Influences range from New Orleans to India to the Baptist Church and the Blues. Standout tracks are the second, Dance of the Spirits, with a strong core of Baptism and The Blues and some rapturous playing by Richards, and the third track, Brother Earl, which begins with Tony on flute over rhythms that are directly reminiscent of open-hearted, late-60s spirituality. Tony later moves to tenor and, as on all four tracks here, eventually builds to the peaks of shattering emotional intensity that fans of Work Money Death - and spiritual jazz in general - connect deeply with.
A Portal to Here is a stunning addition to the Work Money Death catalogue and a clear statement that the band continues to create and produce, whatever life throws its way.
Tracklist:
1. Pain Becomes Prayer And The Prayer Becomes A Song
2. A Dance For The Spirits
3. Brother Earl
4. Sometimes It's Death
