The debut LP featuring seminal tracks like 'Glory Box' and 'Sour Times', the album shaped trip-hop with jazz and cinematic elements.
Artist page · 06/07/2026
Portishead
About
Portishead, Bristol trip-hop pioneers blending jazz, electronics, and cinematic moods.
Five key LPs tracked with original 1994 pressings of Dummy reaching up to €115, plus limited editions.
Portishead originated in the early 1990s Bristol scene, combining electronic beats, jazz instrumentation, and haunting female vocals by Beth Gibbons. The trio, including Geoff Barrow and Adrian Utley, brought a cinematic depth to trip-hop, highlighted by collaboration with sound engineer Dave McDonald. Their debut album Dummy, released in 1994 on Go! Beat, quickly gained critical and commercial success, winning the 1995 Mercury Prize.
Subsequent releases include their self-titled 1997 album and the 2008 album Third, recorded after a decade-long hiatus. They also released Roseland NYC Live in 1998 capturing a performance with a 35-piece orchestra at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City.
Discography
Portishead — Discography
Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.
Playlist
Signature tracks
The tracks that sum up Portishead's career.








The essentials
The 3 Portishead albums you absolutely need
Our pick, validated by the editorial team.
The band's sophomore album with 11 tracks including 'All Mine' and 'Cowboys', featuring darker and more experimental production.
Released after a 10-year hiatus, this album explores experimental and industrial sounds across 11 tracks.
Go further
Artists similar to Portishead
Artists who share part of Portishead's musical DNA.
Collectors
For vinyl die-hards
The hidden side of the catalogue: rare pressings, sought-after matrices, Discogs values.
Market values (source: Discogs)
For each reference edition, these cards summarise the state of the global Discogs market. Market position places the average price of a copy between the observed min and max prices. Average price is the price seen for a mint-condition copy. Copies available counts listings currently for sale. Collectors who want it is the number of Discogs users who added it to their wantlist without owning it — a good signal of upcoming demand.
Notable pressings & editions
Face B
Side B: the hidden stories of Portishead
Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.
Portishead's sound blends electronic beats with jazz and cinematic moods, creating a unique trip-hop atmosphere.— Music Enthusiast
Dummy wins Mercury Prize over Oasis and Blur
In 1995, Portishead's debut album Dummy won the prestigious Mercury Prize, beating British giants Oasis, Blur, and PJ Harvey, marking a key moment for trip-hop.
Roseland NYC Live captures 35-piece orchestra performance
Recorded in 1998 at New York City's Roseland Ballroom with a 35-piece orchestra, this album highlights Portishead's live orchestral dimension beyond studio work.
Extended recording pause before Third
Portishead released Third in 2008, their first album in over 10 years after their 1997 self-titled record, marking a stylistic shift with industrial and experimental sounds.
Formation in Bristol by Geoff Barrow and Beth Gibbons
The group formed in 1991 after Geoff Barrow, from Portishead in Somerset, met vocalist Beth Gibbons, bringing influences from Massive Attack and Tricky's Bristol scene.
Records by Portishead
See allFAQ
FAQ: Portishead on physical formats
The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.
What are the key albums by Portishead available on vinyl?
Essential Portishead vinyl albums include Dummy (1994), Portishead (1997), and Third (2008), with several different pressings available.
When was Portishead formed and where are they from?
Portishead formed in 1991 in Bristol, United Kingdom, a city known for its influential trip-hop scene.
What distinguishes the album Dummy on vinyl?
Dummy's original 1994 LP pressing often includes a misprint and offers 10 tracks blending trip-hop, jazz, and cinematic sounds, valued among collectors.
Are Portishead vinyl pressings from the UK more valuable than others?
Original UK and European pressings of Portishead albums, especially Dummy and Portishead, generally hold higher collector prices compared to some US releases.
What formats are Portishead albums released on vinyl?
Portishead albums are available mainly as 12" LPs, with some releases at 45 RPM and limited editions, including live and studio albums.
What is special about Roseland NYC Live on vinyl?
Roseland NYC Live features a live performance with a 35-piece orchestra in New York City, available on LP with various reissues and collector editions.
How many tracks are on the Third album?
Third contains 11 tracks, exploring experimental and industrial electronic sounds, released on limited edition vinyl in 2008.
Where can fans find reliable pricing for Portishead vinyl records?
Pricing varies widely by pressing; various editions and rare misprints can command prices from under €10 to over €100, available through dedicated vinyl price tracking services.
Transparency
Sources & method
This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.
Our method
- Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
- Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
- Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
- Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
- Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.




