Bonobo
This is the first album by Bonobo released on the [bad word] Thoughts' label
earlier on in the year.
On first impressions, it really just came across as 'Amon Tobin' on
Valium...Hmmm how foolish of me.
After a few more listens i realised i couldn't have been any further from
the [bad word]  Even though there are similarities to our Mr. Tobin (he is also
listed somewhere in the sleevnotes), they are both genuises in their own
right.

We are introduced to the album by 'Sleepy Seven', which creeps in
gradually with various [bad word] and subtle sound eerie female
vocal floats across the track cushioned by a soft piano, and the general
ambience disturbingly relaxing... until we reach the next track of course,
when a vocal sample starts to preach...

"These are the times that try men's souls.
In the course of our nations history,
the people have rallied bravely whenever the rights of man have been
threatened.
Today a new crisis has arisen.
Citizens hear me out.
This could happen to you!"

...Followed by a crashing rhythm and a double bass cleverly playing against
it. 

This is a brash, sinister tune that slides into moments of simple
beauty.I guess this is an indication of the diversity of the whole album.

The Standout track 'Terrapin' is a gentle [bad word] with Sitars and that
eerie female vocal again, that creates a nice smooth blend of ethnic jazz.
This seems to be the general theme throughout. Very jazz influenced with a
dark, almost weary edge.

There doesn't seem to be much evidence of any fillers but tracks like 'The
Plug' do stand out more than others.
'Sugar Rhyme', rounds it all off nicely with a bouncing rhythm and a big,
fat bassline creating something that would appear in a futuristic bar in
Cairo.

In this era of 'chilled' albums, with such giants as, Groove Armada and
Air, i would consider Bonobo to stand tall amongst [bad word] [bad word] patterns,Superb basslines and a perverse mixture of styles turns this into
one of the best albums of the year so far.

must for those late night dwellers out there. 
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