Bonobo (musician)

Simon Green (born 30 March 1976), known by his stage name Bonobo, is a British musician, producer, and DJ based in Los Angeles.^[1] He debuted with a trip hop aesthetic, and has since explored more upbeat approaches as well as jazz and world music influences. His electronic sound incorporates the use of organic instrumentation, and is recreated by a full band in live performances.

Bonobo
Bonobo in 2017
Background information
Birth name	Simon Green
Also known as	Barakas
Born	(1976-03-30) 30 March 1976 (age 46)
Origin	Brighton, England
Genres	Electronica downtempo nu jazz trip hop world music
Years active	1999–present
Labels	Ninja Tune, Tru Thoughts
Website	bonobomusic.com

Music career

1999–2009

 

Bonobo in 2007

Green debuted in 1999 on the Tru Thoughts compilation When Shapes Join Together.^[2] His stage name Bonobo is a reference to the Bonobo chimpanzee species.^[3] Following the releases of the EP Scuba, released on Brighton based label Fly Casual Recordings, and the single "Terrapin", Bonobo was offered label deals with XL recordings and Mute records, but he chose to remain in Tru Thoughts.^[1]

His first album Animal Magic was released on the same label in 2000 to mixed reviews.^[4][5] Paul Cooper of Pitchfork stated that it "breaks no new ground for chill-out",^[6] while PopMatters said Bonobo "[showcases] smooth breakbeat loops, synth sounds, and aforementioned dub effects. [And his] electronic music draws on live playing."^[7] Reviewer Dean Carlson also said that the album "slowly takes shape as a solid debut of narcoleptic downtempo."^[8] In spite of reactions, Animal Magic has given Bonobo a cult following.^[5] 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^[1] 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.^[9] The album tracks "Pick up" and "Flutter" were featured in the snowboarding game SSX on Tour.^[10]

In 2005, Bonobo contributed to the Solid Steel series, with It Came from the Sea.^[1] 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] The song "Nightlite" appeared on UEFA Champions League 2006–2007,^[13] and "Recurring" was used in a surfing film broadcast on Fuel TV.^[14]

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.^[15] 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."^[16] After their collaboration for Black Sands, Green produced Andreya Triana's debut album Lost Where I Belong.^[17] The song "Kong" was used during a scene in an artist's studio in the eighth episode of the second season of House of Cards.^[18]

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.^[19] The North Borders marked his first UK and US album chart entries, where they respectively reached numbers 34 and 122. The track "Cirrus" was featured as the closing song of the pilot episode for the AMC show Halt and Catch Fire.^[20]

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.^[21]

2016–present

Bonobo released his sixth album, Migration, in January 2017.^[22] In an interview with Billboard, Bonobo said that he conceived the album from "living and being in various locations", as he toured extensively and did not "have a home base for about a year".^[23] 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.^[24] 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.^[25]

On 1 July 2019, Bonobo released a new song, "Linked", online.^[26] "Linked" was later nominated for Best Dance Recording at the 62nd Grammy Awards, but lost to "Got to Keep On" by The Chemical Brothers.^[27]

The following year, Bonobo remixed Michael Kiwanuka's song "Final Days".^[28]

Bonobo's seventh studio album Fragments^[29] was released on 14 January 2022. Five singles were released ahead of the album's release. The first single, "Rosewood", debuted on 6 October 2021, followed by "Tides" on 20 October 2021, a collaboration with Jamila Woods. A third single, "Otomo", was released on 10 November 2021, a collaboration with O'Flynn, followed by "Shadows", with Jordan Rakei, on the 1st of December. The fifth and final single, "From You", with Joji, was released on 3 January 2022.

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.^[30] Pitchfork named him a key figure in the 2000s downtempo electronica scene^[31] while The Guardian associated him with the recent popularity of "ambient world electronica".^[32] While his earliest work was firmly based in trip hop,^[33] 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.^[30] He also performed with Robert Luis of the Tru Thoughts label under the aliases Nirobi and Barakas.^[34]

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.^[35] His albums employ sampling, for example 'Behind the Light' (from Pick Up EP, 2003) uses a clip of 'Judy' from John Renbourn.^{[citation needed]}

Discography

Bonobo discography
Studio albums	7
Live albums	2
EPs	11
Singles	27
Remix albums	2
Other albums	3

Albums

Title and details	Peak chart positions								Certifications
	UK ^[36]	AUS ^[37]	BEL (Fl) ^[38]	BEL (Wa) ^[39]	FRA ^[40]	NED ^[41]	SWI ^[42]	US ^[43]
Animal Magic Date released: 25 July 2000 Record label: Tru Thoughts, Ninja Tune (2001 re-release)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Dial 'M' for Monkey Date released: 9 June 2003 Record label: Ninja Tune	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Days to Come Date released: 2 October 2006 Record label: Ninja Tune	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Black Sands Date released: 29 March 2010 Record label: Ninja Tune	—	—	—	—	105	—	—		BPI: Gold^[44]
The North Borders Date released: 21 March 2013 Record label: Ninja Tune	34	—	51	119	54	52	39	122	BPI: Silver^[44]
Migration Date released: 13 January 2017 Record label: Ninja Tune	5	12	6	20	35	10	5	59	BPI: Silver^[44]
Fragments Date released: 14 January 2022 Record label: Ninja Tune	5	6	11	10	59 ^[45]	9	8	—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released.

Live albums and EPs

• Live Sessions (2005)
• The North Borders Tour - Live (2014)

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 (featuring Andreya Triana) EP (2009)
• "Stay the Same" (featuring Andreya Triana) (2009)
• "Eyesdown" (featuring Andreya Triana) (2010)
• "Cirrus" (2013)
• "First Fires" (featuring Grey Reverend) (2013)
• Ten Tigers EP (2014)
• The Flashlight EP (2014)
• Bambro Koyo Ganda EP (2017)
• "Ibrik" (2019)^[46]
• "Linked" (2019)^[47]
• "Heartbreak" (with Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs) (2020)^[48]
• "Loom" (with Ólafur Arnalds) (2020)^[49]
• "6000 Ft." (with Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs) (2020)^[50]
• "Rosewood" (2021)^[51]
• "Tides" (featuring Jamila Woods) (2021)^[52]
• "Otomo" (featuring O'Flynn) (2021)^[53]
• "Shadows" (featuring Jordan Rakei) (2021)^[54]
• "From You" (featuring Joji) (2022)^[55]
• "ATK" (2022) ^[56]
• "Defender" (2022) ^[57]

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)
• fabric presents: Bonobo (2019)

DVDs

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

See also

• List of ambient music artists

References

1. Carlson, Dean. "Bonobo | Biography". AllMusic. from the original on 30 July 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
2. . Tru Thoughts. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
3. Hughes, Tim (3 August 2017). "No monkeying around: Bonobo swings into Wilderness". Oxford Mail. from the original on 24 December 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
4. "Tru Thoughts". Tru Thoughts. 28 April 2013. from the original on 12 May 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
5. "Complete Guide: Bonobo". Clash Magazine. from the original on 4 December 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
6. Cooper, Paul. "Bonobo: Animal Magic Album Review". Pitchfork. from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
7. "Bonobo: Animal Magic". PopMatters. 12 November 2001. from the original on 28 February 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
8. "Animal Magic - Bonobo | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
9. "Dial "M" for Monkey - Bonobo | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. from the original on 27 February 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
10. . News.teamxbox.com. 12 September 2005. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
11. "Days to Come - Bonobo | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. from the original on 28 February 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
12. . myspace.cn. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
13. . IGN. 2 March 2007. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
14. "The Most UFC, Motocross, Surfing, and Snowboarding on Television". Fuel TV. Archived from the original on 25 May 2006. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
15. . bonobomusic. Archived from the original on 11 September 2011.
16. Clarke, Paul. "BBC - Music - Review of Bonobo - Black Sands". from the original on 11 April 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
17. "Lost Where I Belong - Andreya Triana | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. from the original on 23 January 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
18. . Just Isn't Music / Ninja Tune. 10 March 2014. Archived from the original on 10 March 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
19. "Statement on 'The North Borders' Early Digital Release". Ninja Tune. from the original on 25 March 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
20. Perkins, Dennis. "Halt And Catch Fire: "I/O"". TV Club. from the original on 27 February 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
21. "DELS - Petals Have Fallen | Albums | musicOMH". musicOMH. 9 November 2014. from the original on 18 April 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
22. "Bonobo Announces New Album "Migration", Shares Video for New Song "Kerala"". Pitchfork. 3 November 2016. from the original on 10 August 2017. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
23. Klock, Jayme (12 April 2017). "Bonobo Talks 'Visual' New Tour, Creating His 'Migration' Album & More". Billboard. from the original on 12 November 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
24. "2018 GRAMMY Awards: Complete Winners List". The Recording Academy. 28 November 2017. from the original on 1 February 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
25. "Album of the Year - Bonobo, Rufus du Sol, Eric Prydz & More Win 2017 Electronic Music Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. from the original on 28 May 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
26. Bain, Katie (1 July 2019). "Bonobo's New Single 'Linked' Is Deep, Dreamy & Dance Floor Ready". Billboard. from the original on 1 July 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
27. "Bonobo receives Best Dance Recording Grammy Nomination for 'Linked' on Ninja Tune". Decoded Magazine. 9 December 2019. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
28. Stewart, Josh (13 July 2020). "New meets old in Bonobo's remix of Michael Kiwanuka's 'Final Days'". TOPi.Radio. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
29. "Bonobo announces new album 'Fragments' and 2022 world tour dates". Nme.com. 6 October 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
30. Jones, Richard (12 January 2017). "Complete Guide: Bonobo". Clash. from the original on 4 December 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
31. Saxelby, Ruth (12 April 2013). "Bonobo: The North Borders". Pitchfork. from the original on 4 December 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
32. Gibsone, Harriet (12 January 2017). "Bonobo: Migration review – pensive ambient electronica from a nomadic soul". The Guardian. from the original on 5 December 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
33. "Pop & Rock Listings for June 10–16". The New York Times. 9 June 2016. from the original on 18 April 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
34. "Barakas". Tru Thoughts Artists. from the original on 30 May 2008. Retrieved 10 June 2008.
35. Ranta, Alan. . Exclaim.ca. Archived from the original on 16 June 2012. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
36. "BONOBO | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. from the original on 29 September 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
37. "Discography Bonobo". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
38. "ULTRATOP BELGIAN CHARTS". Ultratop. from the original on 13 November 2018. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
39. "ULTRATOP BELGIAN CHARTS". Ultratop. from the original on 13 November 2018. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
40. "Bonobo discography". lescharts.com. Hung Medien. from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
41. "Dutch Charts". MegaCharts. from the original on 13 November 2018. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
42. "Die Offizielle Schweizer". Swiss Hitparade. from the original on 13 November 2018. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
43. "Bonobo". Billboard. from the original on 30 April 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
44. "British album certifications – Bonobo". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 28 May 2022. Select albums in the Format field. Type Bonobo in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
45. "Top Albums (Week 3, 2022)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
46. Bein, Kat (25 January 2019). . Billboard. Archived from the original on 30 January 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
47. Bain, Katie (1 July 2019). . Billboard. Archived from the original on 1 July 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
48. Martin, Josh (25 September 2020). . NME. Archived from the original on 14 October 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
49. Kenneally, Cerys (15 October 2020). . The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
50. Leight, Elias (16 November 2020). . Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 23 November 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
51. Hussey, Allison (6 October 2021). . Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 14 November 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
52. Darville, Jordan (20 October 2021). . The Fader. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
53. Masim, Austria (15 November 2021). . Dancing Astronaut. Archived from the original on 15 November 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
54. "Bonobo previews 'Fragments' with new track 'Shadows'". DIY. 2 December 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
55. "Bonobo teams up with Joji for 'From You'". DIY. 4 January 2022. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
56. "Bonobo's new single features the sounds of an influential Ghanaian composer". EDM. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
57. "Bonobo shares surprise thumb piano-led single 'Defender'". EDM. Retrieved 24 October 2022.

External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bonobo.

• Official website  
• Bonobo discography at Discogs
• Bonobo interview for Clash magazine, September 2006
• Bonobo interview for the independent on album Migration, January 2017