Reviews
Bonobo
Since setting aside the drum machine in favour of live instruments back in 2004, producer and musician Simon Green has undergone a musical evolution which can only be described as ‘prolific’ – including extensive touring with a live band, producing other artists and bagging himself a Gilles Peterson award along the way. Three years on from the release of his last album and the Ninja Tune stalwart is back with ‘Black Sands’, which could be held up as a diary of his growth over the last ten years and sees a return to the beats and sampling that was originally synonymous with his Bonobo moniker.
Drawing on a range of influences, including 2-step and post-jazz, ‘Black Sands’ is an impressive blend of orchestration and electronica, perfectly introduced by opening track ‘Kiara’ in which sparse oriental-tinged strings and gentle piano chords give way to beats and sub bass, before being woven back in against a backdrop of fragmented vocals. The album could almost be split into two halves, with Green’s rediscovered interest in beat making evident on ‘Kong’ and ‘All In Forms’, both of which are layered with a variety of bells, bleeps and wind instruments. Sitting neatly alongside which are the type of instrumental tracks which defined ‘Days to Come’; ‘El Toro’ being all lush strings, horns and drum flares, while ‘Animals’ dips an exploratory toe into modern jazz.
Guest vocals are provided by label-mate Andreya Triana, who’s smoother and more discreet voice may not pack as much of a punch as predecessor Bajka, but is far more suited to the tracks on which she appears – whether quietly reflective over the lazy, trip-hop beat of first single ‘The Keeper’ and its hushed refrain of ‘we can’t go on living this way’, or providing hazy vocals to compliment the fuzzy bass and skipping beat of ‘Eyesdown’.
Though clearly influenced by an array of styles some tracks do stray a little too close to the territory of other artists at times. The title track’s wandering horns and delicate strings bring to mind Portico Quartet, while ‘Wonder When’ is reminiscent of Quantic’s foray into world music. That said, though the album explores such a broad range of styles it always carries the Bonobo ‘stamp,’ and while ‘Black Sands’ may not be pushing any musical boundaries, it is testament to the growth of Green’s now considerable talent as a producer.
Words: Natalie Anthony
‘Black Sands’ is out 29th March on Ninja Tune.
