Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man - Out Of Season

Beth Gibbon’s wounded vocal delivery is part of the Portishead mystique: her voice, equal parts hurt and desire, is unmistakable. Her collaboration with Rustin Mann, Out of Season, will surprise listeners expecting another Portishead redux. Instead, the arrangements are much simpler, aimed more at the acoustics, rather than sonics. Beth’s vocals, obviously, take center stage; “Tom the Model” has some gospel choruses backing her up, but hers is the central figure. “Show” is just her and a piano, while “Romance” adds some horns and background voices for atmosphere. “Spider Monkey” has some of that Portishead theremin, but it’s used sparingly; same goes for the wobbly electric guitar on “Funny Time of Year” -- there’s a whisper of Portishead on there. Beth Gibbon’s voice alone could almost carry any project, but her pairing with Rustin Mann’s quiet sensibilities makes this a worth vehicle for her talents.