Bonobo (musician)

Bonobo
Bonobo in 2017
Background information
Birth name Simon Green
Also known as Barakas
Born (1976-03-30) 30 March 1976
Origin Brighton, England
Genres
Years active 1999–present
Labels Ninja Tune, Tru Thoughts
Associated acts
Website bonobomusic.com

Simon Green (born 30 March 1976), known by his stage name Bonobo, is a British musician, producer and DJ based in Los Angeles.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4]

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.[5] He released his debut album Animal Magic on Tru Thoughts in 2000.[6] 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.[7][8] Reviewer Dean Carlson also said that the album "slowly takes shape as a solid debut of narcoleptic downtempo."[9] In spite of reactions, Animal Magic has given Bonobo a cult following.[3] 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.[10]

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."[11] Days to Come was voted Best Album of 2006 by Gilles Peterson's listeners.[12]

2010–2015

Bonobo in 2013

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.[13] 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."[14] After their collaboration for Black Sands, Green produced Andreya Triana's debut album Lost Where I Belong.[15]

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.[16] 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.[17]

2016–present

Bonobo released his sixth album, Migration, in January 2017.[18] It was announced on 3 November 2016 with the release of the single "Kerala" and an official video.[19] 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).[18] The album artwork was designed by Neil Krug (Boards of Canada/Lana Del Rey).[20] The album features Nick Murphy, Rhye, Innov Gnawa and Hundred Waters.[21] [18] 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.[22] 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.[23]

Musical style

Bonobo performing in a live band with Andreya Triana in April 2010

Bonobo's sound is oriented on beats and samples but typically "soothing", combining influences ranging from club music to world music.[24] Pitchfork named him a key figure in the 2000s downtempo electronica scene[25] while The Guardian associated him with the recent popularity of "ambient world electronica".[26] 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.[24]

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.[27] 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.[28] The former is also the opening title theme to CBC Television's sitcom jPod.[29] "Nightlite", a song from Days to Come appeared on UEFA Champions League 2006–2007,[30] and another named "Ketto" was featured in Skins (Vol.2 Ep.6) and the Citroën C4 Picasso advertisement.[31] "Recurring" was used in a surfing film broadcast on Fuel TV.[32] "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.[33] 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,[34] 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.[35]

Discography

Bonobo discography
Studio albums 6
Live albums 2
EPs 11
Singles 27
Remix albums 2
Other albums 3

Albums

Albums and details Peak positions
UK

[36]

 BEL
(Fl)		 BEL
(Wa)		 FRA
[37]		 NED SWI US

[38]

Animal Magic
  • Date released: 2000
  • Record label: Tru Thoughts, Ninja Tune (2001 re-release)
 — — — — — — —
Dial 'M' for Monkey
  • Date released: 2003
  • Record label: Ninja Tune
 — — — — — — —
Days to Come
  • Date released: 2006
  • Record label: Ninja Tune
 — — — — — — —
Black Sands
  • Date released: 2010
  • Record label: Ninja Tune
 — — — 105 — — —
The North Borders
  • Date released: 2013
  • Record label: Ninja Tune
 34 51 119 54 52 39 122
Migration
  • Date released: 2017
  • Record label: Ninja Tune
 5 6 20 35 10 5 59

Live albums and EPs

Singles and EPs

  • Scuba EP (2000)
  • Terrapin EP (2000)
  • Silver EP (2000)
  • The Shark EP (2000)
  • Kota EP (2002)
  • Pick Up EP (2003)
  • Flutter EP (2003)
  • Nightlite / If You Stayed Over (2006)
  • Nightlite (Zero dB Reconstruction/Bonobo Remixes) (2006)
  • The Keeper (feat. Andreya Triana) EP (2009)
  • Stay the Same (feat. Andreya Triana) (2009)
  • Eyesdown (feat. Andreya Triana) (2010)
  • Cirrus (2013)
  • First Fires (feat. Grey Reverend) (2013)
  • Ten Tigers EP (2014)
  • The Flashlight EP (2014)
  • Bambro Koyo Ganda EP (2017)

Remix albums

  • One Offs, Remixes & B-Sides (2002)
  • Black Sands Remixed (2012)

Other albums

DVDs

  • Live at Koko (2009)
  • The North Borders Tour - Live (2014)

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Pop & Rock Listings for June 10-16". The New York Times. 9 June 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  2. ↑ "Bonobo | Biography, Albums, Streaming Links | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2018-02-27.
  3. 1 2 "Complete Guide: Bonobo". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 2018-02-27.
  4. ↑ "Barakas". Tru Thoughts Artists. Retrieved 10 June 2008.
  5. ↑ "When Shapes Join Together 1 (by Various), Tru Thoughts releases". Tru Thoughts. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  6. ↑ "Tru Thoughts". Tru Thoughts. 28 April 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  7. ↑ "Bonobo: Animal Magic Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2018-02-27.
  8. ↑ "Bonobo: Animal Magic". PopMatters. 2001-11-12. Retrieved 2018-02-27.
  9. ↑ "Animal Magic - Bonobo | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2018-02-27.
  10. ↑ "Dial "M" for Monkey - Bonobo | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  11. ↑ "Days to Come - Bonobo | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2018-02-27.
  12. ↑ "Myspace". myspace.cn. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  13. ↑ "Bonobo releases: Black Sands". bonobomusic. Archived from the original on 11 September 2011.
  14. ↑ Clarke, Paul. "BBC - Music - Review of Bonobo - Black Sands". Retrieved 2018-02-27.
  15. ↑ "Lost Where I Belong - Andreya Triana | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2018-02-27.
  16. ↑ "Statement on 'The North Borders' Early Digital Release". Ninja Tune. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  17. ↑ "DELS - Petals Have Fallen | Albums | musicOMH". musicOMH. 2014-11-09. Retrieved 2018-04-18.
  18. 1 2 3 "Bonobo Announces New Album "Migration", Shares Video for New Song "Kerala"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  19. ↑ Bonobo Official (3 November 2016). "Bonobo : Kerala". Retrieved 9 December 2016 – via YouTube.
  20. ↑ "Bonobo announces new album "Migration", shares first single "Kerala"". factmag.com. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  21. ↑ "Bonobo Announces New Album 'Migration', Shares New Single 'Kerala' & 2017 Tour Dates". ninjatune.net. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  22. ↑ "2018 GRAMMY Awards: Complete Winners List". The Recording Academy. Retrieved 2 Feb 2018.
  23. ↑ "Album of the Year - Bonobo, Rufus du Sol, Eric Prydz & More Win 2017 Electronic Music Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  24. 1 2 Jones, Richard (12 January 2017). "Complete Guide: Bonobo". Clash. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  25. ↑ Saxelby, Ruth (12 April 2013). "Bonobo: The North Borders". Pitchfork. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  26. ↑ Gibsone, Harriet (12 January 2017). "Bonobo: Migration review – pensive ambient electronica from a nomadic soul". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  27. ↑ Ranta, Alan. "Bonobo / Brasstronaut – Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver BC June 30 • Concert Reviews •". Exclaim.ca. Archived from the original on 27 February 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  28. ↑ "SSX on Tour Soundtrack Announced – Xbox". News.teamxbox.com. 12 September 2005. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  29. ↑ "Flutter — Bonobo | Last.fm". Last.fm. Retrieved 2018-02-27.
  30. ↑ "UEFA Champions League 2006–2007 Soundtrack". IGN. 2 March 2007. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  31. ↑ "Citroen C4 Picasso ads". Satellite & Digital TV Support forum. Archived from the original on 12 July 2009. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  32. ↑ "The Most UFC, Motocross, Surfing, and Snowboarding on Television". Fuel TV. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  33. ↑ "House at the End of the Street". 21 September 2012. Retrieved 9 December 2016 – via IMDb.
  34. ↑ "Just Isn't Music – 10/03/14 Bonobo 'Kong' used in House of Cards s02e08". www.justisntmusic.com. Retrieved 2018-02-27.
  35. ↑ Perkins, Dennis. "Halt And Catch Fire: "I/O"". TV Club. Retrieved 2018-02-27.
  36. ↑ "BONOBO | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2018-04-18.
  37. ↑ "Bonobo discography". lescharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  38. ↑ "Bonobo". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-04-18.
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