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Story: Jack Foley
SIMON Green, aka Bonobo, is back with another nine perfectly
formed tracks on his first album on the Ninja Tune label.
Green may not be as household a name as, say Fatboy Slim (another
of Brighton's favourite musical sons), but he has come a long
way fast, progressing from the little-known Tru Thoughts label
to the high profile stable of Ninja Tunes.
His last album, Remixes and B-sides, was his lasting legacy to
Tru Thoughts - and was a sublime collection of tracks chronicling
the best known and least known of his records since 1999, including
Turtle (as featured in One 2 One's advertising campaigns),
and gems such as The Sicilian and Scuba.
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His latest album, Dial M for Monkey, suggests he has lost
none of his musical style, as the Ninja Tunes website contains
2-minute samples from each of the nine tracks.
From the opener, Noctuary, with its creepy stoned-Hammer
feel, through the headnod sitar-funk of Flutter, the first
third of the record sets out the tone for what is to follow –
all beautfiully melodic and perfectly assembled but with enough
of a creeping undertow to stop the music becoming empty or saccharine.
Of the other tracks highlighted in the publicity material, Change
Down is described as being all double bass folk and cut-up
drums, Wayward Bob is a devilish waltz, while single
Pick Up is a straight funk ‘n’ flute throw down.
Other tracks include Something For Windy, Nothing Owed
and Light Pattern.
With all instruments played, sampled and sequenced by Green’s
own fair hand, there is a consistency here, both within the tunes
and across the record, that crate diggers can only dream of.
To mark the release of Dial M for Monkey, on Monday, June 9,
there will be a special launch party on Sunday, June 8, Upstairs
at The Lock Tavern, at 35 Chalk Farm Road, Camden NW1.
Taking place from 6.30pm until 10.30pm, the evening promises
a barbeque and drinks on the roof terrace, as well as free banana
daquiries, monkey nuts & Bonobo DJing all night!
Entrance is free, so Bonobo fans are advised to get there early
- the venue only holds 150.
And stay tuned for the IndieLondon verdict on the new album shortly.
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