Simon Green (born 30 March 1976), known by his stage name Bonobo, is a British musician, producer and DJ based in Los Angeles. He initially debuted with a trip-hop aesthetic, and has since explored more upbeat approaches while experimenting with jazz and world music. His electronic sound incorporates the use of organic instrumentation, and is recreated by a full band during his live performances.
Green's work has given him a cult following. He has collaborated with various artists, and has also recorded and performed under the name Mr Blue and with Robert Luis from Tru Thoughts as Nirobi and Barakas.
Video Bonobo (musician)
Music career
2000-2009
Green's first release under the moniker Bonobo, a reference to the Bonobo chimpanzee species, was in October 2001 with the song "Terrapin" on the Tru Thoughts compilation When Shapes Join Together. He released his debut album Animal Magic on Tru Thoughts in 2000. It received mixed reviews; Pitchfork stated that despite not being a ground-breaking chill-out album, Bonobo "[showcases] smooth breakbeat loops, synth sounds, and aforementioned dub effects. [And his] electronic music draws on live playing," according to PopMatters. Reviewer Dean Carlson also said that the album "slowly takes shape as a solid debut of narcoleptic downtempo." In spite of reactions, Animal Magic has given Bonobo a cult following. Its accompanying compilation album titled "One Offs...", was issued in 2002 and contains reworked songs and rarities.
In 2001, Bonobo was signed to Coldcut's label Ninja Tune and in 2003, he released Dial 'M' for Monkey. John Bush of Allmusic stated in a review that Bonobo's influences were drawn more towards alternative rock and world music rather than hip-hop or trip hop.
In 2005, Bonobo contributed to the Solid Steel series, with It Came from the Sea, the release date was scheduled for 10 October 2005, but was released a week early, the mix features several exclusive tracks as well as remixes and re-edits.
His third album, entitled Days to Come, was released on 2 October 2006. An AllMusic review states that "[Bonobo] breathes new life into a well-worn genre." With the album as well as his future work, he featured vocalists such as Bajka, thus "adding [an] organic and vibrant musicality that's rare in electronic music." Days to Come was voted Best Album of 2006 by Gilles Peterson's listeners.
2010-2015
The song "The Keeper" featuring vocals by Andreya Triana was released in September 2009 as the lead single from his fourth album Black Sands, released in March 2010. A BBC review by Paul Clarke stated that "Green has progressed from predominantly sample-based production to more live instrumentation [and] has become equally adept at mastering [...] multi-layered atmospheres." in the same review, Clarke has also commented that the songs "We Could Forever" "saddles an Afro-inflected guitar and skittish flute to deep sub-bass" and "Kiara" combines "oriental strings with cut-up beats." After their collaboration for Black Sands, Green produced Andreya Triana's debut album Lost Where I Belong.
In February 2012, Black Sands Remixed was released on Ninja Tune, featuring tracks from the original Black Sands record remixed by electronic producers such as Machinedrum, Lapalux, Floating Points and Mark Pritchard.
The first single off the next Bonobo album, "Cirrus", was given its worldwide debut on Gilles Peterson's BBC Radio 6 programme on 19 January 2013. The album is titled The North Borders and was set for release on 1 April 2013, but was released early in its digital format after a promotional copy was leaked prior to the planned launch date. The North Borders marked his first album chart entries. It reached number 34 in the UK, and number 122 in the US Billboard 200.
He produced the song, "Pulls" by DELS for his 2014 album Petals Have Fallen, which was released under Big Dada; a sister label of Ninja Tune.
2016-present
Bonobo released his sixth album, Migration, in January 2017. It was announced on 3 November 2016 with the release of the single "Kerala" and an official video. The official video for the single is directed by Bison (Jon Hopkins/London Grammar/Rosie Lowe), featuring lead Gemma Arterton (Quantum of Solace/Inside No. 9). The album artwork was designed by Neil Krug (Boards of Canada/Lana Del Rey). The album features Nick Murphy, Rhye, Innov Gnawa and Hundred Waters. The album and the track Bambro Koyo Ganda have been nominated for the 60th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Dance Recording and Best Dance/Electronic Album. The album peaked higher in the UK chart (number 5) and in the US (number 59). In 2018, Bonobo's "Migration" album also won Album of the Year at the 2017 Electronic Music Awards and Bonobo was also nominated for Live Act of the Year.
Maps Bonobo (musician)
Musical style
Bonobo's sound is oriented on beats and samples but typically "soothing", combining influences ranging from club music to world music. Pitchfork named him a key figure in the 2000s downtempo electronica scene while The Guardian associated him with the recent popularity of "ambient world electronica". While his earliest work was firmly based in trip hop, his style soon became more upbeat and delved into genres such as jazz (which has led him to be described as a nu jazz artist) and traditional Indian music. He has collaborated with various artists, including Bajka, Andreya Triana, Erykah Badu, and Rhye who contributed vocals to songs on his last four albums Days to Come, Black Sands, The North Borders, and Migration, respectively.
Whilst often touring solo, and performing DJ sets and residencies, in 2010 Bonobo opted to start touring with a full band for the Black Sands tour. The band plays live renditions of studio material, with a singer, keyboardist, guitarist, saxophonist, string section, electronics, and drummer, often with improvisations and solos. His albums employ sampling, for example 'Behind the Light' (from Pick Up EP, 2003) uses a clip of 'Judy' from John Renbourn.
Soundtrack Appearances
The songs "Pick up" and "Flutter" from Dial 'M' for Monkey were featured in the snowboarding game SSX on Tour. The former is also the opening title theme to CBC Television's sitcom jPod. "Nightlite", a song from Days to Come appeared on UEFA Champions League 2006-2007, and another named "Ketto" was featured in Skins (Vol.2 Ep.6) and the Citroën C4 Picasso advertisement. "Recurring" was used in a surfing film broadcast on Fuel TV. "All In Forms", a song from Black Sands was used as the final song used in the film House at the End of the Street in 2012. Additionally, "Kong" can be heard during a scene in an artist's studio in the eighth episode of the second season of House of Cards, and Eyesdown can be heard in the background in the restaurant in the second episode of the third season of The Newsroom. "Cirrus" from The North Borders was featured as the closing song of the pilot episode for the AMC show Halt and Catch Fire.
Discography
Albums
Live albums and EPs
- Live Sessions (2005)
- The North Borders Tour - Live (2014)
Singles and EPs
Remix albums
- One Offs, Remixes & B-Sides (2002)
- Black Sands Remixed (2012)
Other albums
- Sweetness (2002)
- Solid Steel Presents: It Came from the Sea (2005)
- Late Night Tales: Bonobo (2013)
DVDs
- Live at Koko (2009)
- The North Borders Tour - Live (2014)
See also
- List of ambient music artists
References
External links
- Official website
- Bonobo discography at Discogs
- Bonobo interview for Clash magazine, September 2006
- Profile at rcrdlbl.com
Source of the article : Wikipedia