Tortoise

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Tortoise’s almost entirely instrumental music defies easy categorization. The group gained significant attention from their early career. The members have roots in Chicago’s fertile music scene, playing in various indie rock and punk groups. Tortoise was among the first American indie rock bands to incorporate styles closer to , , , electronica and various jazz styles, rather than the standard rock and roll and punk that had dominated indie rock for years.

The group’s origins lie in the late 1980’s pairing of McCombs and Herndon, who imagined themselves as a freelance rhythm section (like reggae legends Sly And Robbie). That idea never saw fruition but in the summer of 2007 they formed the group Bumps and released a record with the same name on indie hip-hop label Stones Throw records, their interest in grooving rhythms and recording studio trickery led to McEntire and Brown (both formerly of Bastro) joining, followed by Bitney. Though songs are credited to all the musicans, McEntire quickly became, if not the acknowledged leader, then the group’s guiding force, at least via media perception. In reality his extra contributions mainly took the form of being the recording engineer and mixer.

Their first single was issued in 1993, and their self-titled debut album followed a year later. Instrumental and mostly mid-tempo, Tortoise slowly garnered praise and attention, due in part to the unusual instrumentation (two bass guitars, three percussionists switching between drums, vibraphones and marimbas). A remix album followed, Rhythms, Resolutions and Clusters.
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Top Albums

  • TNT
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  • Millions Now Living Will Never Die
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  • Beacons Of Ancestorship
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  • Standards
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Top Tracks

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TNT
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2
334
3
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5
314
6
297
7
284
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231
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  • RussellChap

    Still sound good.

    yesterday evening

  • Jbourdeth96

    Any more bands that sound like this

    12 days ago

  • Geebert

    Just bought my tickets for Valencia on Thusrday, very excited :)

    15 days ago

  • SometimeWorld

    gonna start listening to this band more soon, from what i've heard i know i'm gonna love 'em.

    17 days ago

  • Retinend

    ta

    last month

  • messo

    Perhaps Pivot's first album. The Mercury Program, Hurtmold,Dianogah, and the unknown yet fantastic gem Gaston.

    last month

  • Retinend

    Are there any other bands that sound like Tortoise and Jaga Jazzist?

    last month

  • Dylante

    one of the best shows i've ever seen

    last month
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