Bonobo This is the first album by Bonobo released on the 'Tru Thoughts' label earlier on in the year. On first impressions, it really just came across as 'Amon Tobin' on Valium...Hmmm how foolish of me. After a few more listens i realised i couldn't have been any further from the truth. Even though there are similarities to our Mr. Tobin (he is also listed somewhere in the sleevnotes), they are both genuises in their own right.
We are introduced to the album by 'Sleepy Seven', which creeps in gradually with various instruments and subtle sound eerie female vocal floats across the track cushioned by a soft piano, and the general ambience disturbingly relaxing... until we reach the next track of course, when a vocal sample starts to preach...
"These are the times that try men's souls. In the course of our nations history, the people have rallied bravely whenever the rights of man have been threatened. Today a new crisis has arisen. Citizens hear me out. This could happen to you!"
...Followed by a crashing rhythm and a double bass cleverly playing against it.
This is a brash, sinister tune that slides into moments of simple beauty.I guess this is an indication of the diversity of the whole album.
The Standout track 'Terrapin' is a gentle cruise with Sitars and that eerie female vocal again, that creates a nice smooth blend of ethnic jazz. This seems to be the general theme throughout. Very jazz influenced with a dark, almost weary edge.
There doesn't seem to be much evidence of any fillers but tracks like 'The Plug' do stand out more than others. 'Sugar Rhyme', rounds it all off nicely with a bouncing rhythm and a big, fat bassline creating something that would appear in a futuristic bar in Cairo.
In this era of 'chilled' albums, with such giants as, Groove Armada and Air, i would consider Bonobo to stand tall amongst them. Complex drum patterns,Superb basslines and a perverse mixture of styles turns this into one of the best albums of the year so far.
A must for those late night dwellers out there. from