Portable emerged from the transformative landscape of post-apartheid South Africa, belonging to a generation that witnessed the historic liberation of Nelson Mandela and the subsequent changes in the nation. Renowned for his captivating live performances, Portable, whose real name is Alan Abrahams, relocated to London in 1997, driven by musical inspiration yet hindered by geographic limitations. In London, he began his project Portable, which serves as a vibrant connection between the indigenous African sounds of his upbringing and the avant-garde music that expanded his artistic perspective.
In 2002, Abrahams established his record label, Süd Electronic, and released his debut single "Gridshift," which was recognized as a recommended new release by the UK publication The Wire and earned the title of best release of the month from Germany's De:Bug magazine. He followed this with a series of full-length albums, including Futuristic Experiments #005 in 2002 on the German label Background Records, and the Cycling album in 2003, which received a Red Dot design award for its exceptional graphic design.
In 2005, Portable released the album "Version" on ~Scape Records. Two years later, in 2007, he moved to Lisbon, Portugal, where he recorded the album 'Powers of Ten' for his Süd Electronic label. This album, rich in sonic exploration, delved deeper into his African heritage through a diverse array of musical influences. In 2008, he released his first single on the esteemed Berlin label Perlon, titled “Knowone Can Take Away,” which was highlighted as one of the best releases of the week by Groove magazine, noting it as “one of the most beautiful, heart-rendering, and dance floor-shattering songs.”
During his five years in Lisbon, he also launched his alter ego project, BODYCODE, signing with the US label Ghostly International / Spectral. His debut album for them, "The Conservation of Electric Charge," received acclaim as a recommended release on the platform Resident Advisor, which praised its balance between engaging listeners at home and on the dance floor. He later released another album under the BODYCODE moniker, titled "Immune."
Portable's next move took him to Berlin, where in 2010 he released the single “This Life of Illusion” on Perlon. This track was recognized as one of the best releases of the month by Groove magazine, which noted its timeless Chicago house influences and evocative vocals. In 2011, he followed up with the album “Into Infinity” on Perlon, which garnered significant attention, landing him on the cover of Berlin’s influential Groove magazine. The publication highlighted that Portable's album was frequently featured in their annual top ten charts, attributing this to his skillful blend of contemporary house music and intricate song structures.
His music gained further recognition in 2014 when the track 'Surrender' was designated a “Best New Track” by Pitchfork and later appeared in a re-edited form on DJ Koze’s acclaimed DJ-Kicks mix, which was named the best mix of 2015 by Resident Advisor. The accompanying video for 'Surrender' was recognized as the second-best video of the year by Inverted Audio, leading to a series of video projects for his live performances.
In 2016, Portable signed with the major label !K7 and released his sixth full-length album, simply titled “Alan Abrahams.” This 11-track work was noted for its personal depth, with Pitchfork describing it as painting romantic ecstasy as a near-spiritual experience. KCRW (NPR) remarked on Abrahams' ability to fuse electronic elements with Afrocentric rhythms, while XLR8R praised it as an album of melancholic beauty.
In 2018, he released the EP “A Life Without Notifications” on German label Dial Records, which was once again selected as one of Groove magazine's best releases of the week. The magazine commended it for showcasing his signature style of blending traditional rhythms with warm electronic soundscapes and his distinctive vocals. That same year, Portable relocated to Paris, where he launched a new record label, Khoikhoi Records, releasing the single “Believing” and a compilation titled “Raising Ancestors,” which featured prominent figures from the South African music scene to a European audience.
In 2020, Portable released the critically acclaimed album “The Transit of Mercury,” which was listed among Pitchfork's best albums for Winter 2020, with the publication noting its intense moments characterized by distorted synthesizers.
In 2022, he signed with the French label Circus Company and released the album “My Sentient Shadow.” Critics praised this work, with Resident Advisor calling it a deeply affecting concept album focused on identity and belonging. Groove magazine included it in their essential albums of the month, highlighting the intricate complexity of his tracks and their southern character. Inverted Audio noted that for those unfamiliar with Portable's extensive body of work, this album serves as an excellent entry point, showcasing his enduring creativity and impact.
