Review: What an incredible link up this one is as the king of crunch, known to the world as Bonobo, links up with T.E.E.D for a delightful two track experiment, doused in euphoric energy and production class throughout. We begin with 'Heartbreak', a summer-time breakbeat epic, perfect for the late-night BBQ setting as big room vocal leads sit atop of pulsating chord lines and super groovy breaks for a proper party-starting vibe. On the flip, '6000' alongside Outlier takes a slightly slower path, focussing primarily on acidic filtration and classy 4x4 drum beats, adding some real contrast to the A-side. This is a top quality link up to say the least and we can't wait to hear more from the two outfits in unison!
Review: As dubstep and bass music in general continues to expand worldwide, we are starting to see more and more experimental selections come together, with this fantastic 14 tracker from the Cosmic Vibrations crew being just what the doctor ordered. They deliver an hours worth of smooth introspective soundscaping, with the roster including top names such as: Biome, Congi, Occult, Ill Chill and more. The whole tracklisting just breathes originality, with our favourites including the stunning UKG designs of 'Eyes Down' from the fabulous link up of Bonobo and Andreya Triana, alongside 'Nothing', an impactful piece of stepper poetry, crafted between the wonderful Rider Shafique and the ever-ready Om Unit!
Review: Los Angeles-based electronica artist Bonobo (aka Simon Green) has released a new single. "Linked" is an atmospheric slow burner driven by some seriously shimmering synth action. It is the acclaimed British producer's first new release since his edition of the fabric presents compilation he was in charge of a little while back - and taste of some exciting material forthcoming on Ninja Tune.
Review: If Mark Knight and Co. aren't busy enough celebrating Toolroom's big 15 year birthday at present (and its global parties in celebration of it), they've also found enough time for another mandatory volume in their esteemed Ibiza Underground series. With another collection of surefire hits and soon to be anthems that are sure to rock The White Isle this summer - this is all you need right here. A wide range of cuts (50 to be exact) that venture into darker territories come from the likes of New York duo Blondes on the fierce and broken "Quality Of Life" (Struction remix), the surprising addition of Scottish IDM wunderkind Lanark Artefax's "Touch Absence" (Intimidating Stillness mix), Dutch techno-bass merchant Martyn on the futuristic "Feel The Magnetism" and American retrovert Matrixxman on the tunnelling acid trip "Horizon". Rest assured that there's faire more typical of the label like Josh Butler, Franky Rizardo, Rick Wakley and birthday guests Booka Shade. For your convenience, the collection comes as two continuous mixes as well.
Review: There's no sign of "difficult second album syndrome" to be found on All That Must Be, George Fitzgerald's follow-up to 2015 debut full-length Fading Love. In fact, you could say it's something of a triumph. It was written over an 18-month period and tracks the highs and lows of his private life, largely by eschewing his club-rocking roots in favour of songs and instrumentals that bristle with melancholy, gentle melodiousness and ear-catching electronic instrumentation. Of course, it's still rooted in contemporary club sounds, its just more James Blake or Jamie XX than, say, old pal Will Saul or Special Request. Notably, it's the more poignant songs, including fine collaborations with Lil Silva and Tracey Thorn, which linger longest in the memory.
Review: Ibiza institution Cafe Mambo needs little introduction. Starting as a sunset hangout, it soon became a perfect venue for the island's pre-parties and has developed an iconic status worldwide. It has served up thousands of sunsets since it first opened it's doors in 1994 and here's Sunset to Afterdark: an expertly crafted collection compiled by the team behind the successful Future Disco series and Needwant label. This one takes you from those unforgettable sunsets to, like the name suggests, the nighttime where things really heat up. If there is one essential soundtrack required this summer, this is it. Highlights not limited to: Zero 7's sublime drifter "Last Light", Dutch trio Kraak & Smaak's emotive and bittersweet little ditty "Stumble" (Blue Hotel Mix) through to the gorgeous remix of Tempelhof & Gigi Masin's "Blue 13" by Declasse main man Steve Coby. There's even a bit of slinky and uptempo tech house from hot UK duo Dusky. Comes with two continuous mixes for your convenience: Sunset and Afterdark, naturally.
Review: Earlier this year Si 'Bonobo' Green delivered his sixth album, Migration, which was his first full-length since 2013. It features 12 tracks that ruminate on the nature of personal identity and ideas of nationality, The LP includes songs inspired by international styles, one of which, "Bambro Koyo Ganda", has now been elected for release a single in it's own right. A seamless mix between fragile, touchy-feely house beats and traditional vocals courtesy of Innov Gnawa, the track will take you on an exotic emotional Journey. Also included is a new Analog version and an extra treat in the form of the clubbier non-album track, "Samurai".
Review: Given his impressive track record, hopes are naturally high for Bonobo's sixth album, Migration, which is his first full-length since 2013. Happily, it's a majestic affair, with the producer delivering another sumptuous set of tracks. It was partly inspired by an extended period musing on the nature of personal identity, and the role that nationality plays in that. This concept is translated via thoughtful lyrics, and songs that draw musical influence from the four corners of the globe. It's not a big stylistic leap, of course - his bread and butter remains yearning, emotion-rich downtempo music built around gently jazzy grooves and impeccable live instrumentation - but given that few artists do it better than Bonobo, we'll forgive him for that.
Review: Undoubtedly the most popular artist on the ever increasing Ninja Tune roster, it's always great to see some new material from the studio of Si 'Bonobo' Green, especially as he's spent the best part of two years touring his fifth studio LP. "Flashlight" is sadly not a cover of the Funkadelic classic of the same name, but it does demonstrate Bonobo at the top of his powers, weaving together an intoxicating melange of garage-brushed rhythms, ocean deep basslines, cooing vocals and compulsive textures. It's complemented by two tracks that draw Bonobo closer to the dancefloor; the playful, broken rhythms of "Pelican" contend for top spot with "Return To Air" which has a touch of the Jamie xxs to it.
Review: A couple of years ago, Ninja Tune's Bonobo scored a big hit with his album The North Borders. Then he went on tour and The Borders Tour Live is what it sounds like. It's an 11-track beast comprising cuts recorded at The Roundhouse, Camden Town, The Pula Arena, Croatia and some live radio sessions too. When this career-defining tour wraps up at Alexandra Palace in November the band will have travelled 180,000 miles, taken in 175 shows in 30 countries across 3 continents over 18 months in front of 2 million people, but you can hear it here.
Review: Bonobo's North Borders album just keeps on giving... Here we find one of its many highlights, "Ten Tigers", getting a floor-minded rework by Bonobo himself. Retaining most of the original aspects, he's added a slightly heavier dynamic that's idea for all floors. Also on a remix-flex is UK starlet Maya Jane Coles who flips "First Fires" into a treacle-thick, bass heavy house driver. And if that's not quite enough, Bonobo has also given us a brand new track... "Duals" is a bright, breezy and skippy broken beat affair that's laced with myriad uplifting textures and counter melodies. In a word? Dreamy. Ten (tigers) out of ten.
Review: Veteran Ninja Tune artist Bonobo has been putting out seriously decent tunes pretty much since the birth of the highly regarded Late Night Tales compilation. It's amazing that they haven't crossed paths before, but with the release of this 33rd entry into the series, the time has finally come for Green to take us on his own nocturnal mission. This 21-track odyssey is seamlessly mixed but the unmixed tracks are also presented so we can enjoy highlights like the velvety soul of 'Didn't I", the hippy funk of "Flowers" and the distorted, fuzzy trap of "Gutter Glitter".
Review: British producer Bonobo recently celebrated nearly 15 years in the game by scoring his first hit album. "The North Borders" broke the UK top 30, and these here are two of its highlights, culled from the LP to form a new single. "First Fires" features Grey Reverend and is a slow and emotional widescreen slice of brittle beat. "Heaven For The Sinner" features shuffly beats and even more cinematic moodscapes and it also boasts Erkah Badu warbling all over it, something you don't get everyday on Ninja Tune releases.
Review: Since first emerging at the tail end of the '90s, Simon Green has become downtempo music's most marketable star, appealing just as much to occasional listeners and 40-something housewives as underground heads. Throughout that time, he's carefully shifted his sound to take in current trends and musical developments, whilst retaining a certain picturesque aesthetic. This fifth full-length, his fourth for Ninja Tune, continues that trend. Amongst the usual shuffling beats and twinkling melodies you'll find garage-esque vocal cut-ups, rubbery dancefloor rhythms, Floating Points style neo-jazz, string-laden two-step and some seriously wonky soul featuring vocals from Erykah Badu.
