It has been quite a journey for Simon Green, the mastermind behind Bonobo. The experimental DJ producing unique down tempo tracks, renowned for the beauty of chilled electronica, as well as dabbling in deep house with influences from jazz and a variation of cultural style of music. Previous albums such as Black Sands (2010) and The North Borders (2013) have been all time favourites of mine, so when Migration was released, I was undoubtedly ecstatic to say the least. Bonobo is one of the many DJs who has my ultimate respect regarding his connection to music. There is a certain romantic connection on how his tracks are constructed. There is a strong spiritual energy flowing through the tempo, combined with a steady house beat, Bonobo reaches the perfect balance between chill-out lounge electronica and experimental deep house.
Migration explores a variety of electronic genres embodied with a profound personal touch behind the beat. Ranging from tracks of sophistication, carefully construed to every last rhythm, adapted and inspired by Late Night Tales: Bonobo. ‘Second Sun’ presents such elegance, which portrays the tranquil dynamic of the track, where there is a constant serene ambiance, which is almost comforting to the listener. There is an eerie, distant vocal lingering in the background, leaving an ambiguous trail behind. Bonobo traverses deeper into musical compassion through ‘Break Apart’ where he navigates the heartfelt soothing rhythm. A combination of the sound of chiming, a piano and a female vocalist gives the track the ultimate lounge resonance.
One of my favourite tracks of the album is ‘Bambro Koyo Ganda’, which is a prime example of Bonobo using cultural representation in his music. Elements of African style is incorporated in the track, with the collaboration of Innov Gnawa, a musician from Morroco. The quick tempo blends courteously through the whirls of beats welcoming the waves of dance. The sound of chimes and the synchronization of house beats immediately entices the listener with the urge to groove to the track.
As the album moves forward, the tracks become more experimental and open with the listener. ‘Kerala’ is a composition of refinement and out-spoken texture. House and RnB are interlinked with the cool sass behind the female vocalist. In some areas of the track there is self-possession, but Bonobo manages to integrate the essence of dance. ‘Outlier’ and ‘7th Sevens’ relinquishes the true meaning of house where ‘Outlier’ takes a more techno stance in the album. There is a strong longing of lust in the air, where the chimes flow accordingly drawing the listener in with anticipation. For me, I felt a mesmerizing sensation, almost as present meets past and we are indulged into the beauty of the beat. ‘7th Sevens’ takes a similar stance, where the quick simultaneous rhythm takes over the steady beat, leading the listener onto a path of serenity. The same occurring drum pattern gives the track its unique personality, and the listener is embraced with joy and happiness, where we are ultimately lifted into a vivacious ambiance.
Bonobo’s fiery passion for music is reflected in Migration. There is an obvious transition from the obscure down-tempo electronica he explored from the beginning of his soon-to-be successful career. The elements of haze transformed into demonstrative emotion through his concrete productions. Migration is a confirmation that Bonobo has a special gift, and now I am even more thrilled to see him in concert at the end of feb!