What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear/read the word “bonobo”? The endangered great ape found only in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or Simon Green, a British musician, producer and DJ. If it was the great ape, perhaps you haven’t heard of Simon Green. Let me introduce him to you: under the moniker “Bonobo”, he uses a wide variety of samples combined with heavy, often complex basslines to create some of the most awesome downtempo trip-hop around.
Simon Green’s music generally develops linearly – with new elements such as basslines or percussion coming in one after the other. He first caught my attention with 2006′s “Days to Come”, though he’s been releasing work since 2001. What stood out on “Days to Come” were the tracks graced by vocals of Bajka. Similarly, with 2010′s “Black Sands”, there are three songs featuring the breathy vocals of Andreya Triana.
“Black Sands” is Bonobo through and through. I don’t think he pushed any new barriers with this album, but his style is so good that to simply have a new sounds by Bonobo is enough to make me happy. Be it your introduction or your fourth Bonobo album, I don’t think that this one can possibly disappoint.