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Review: Jack Foley
HAVING already attracted the likes of Amon Tobin and Mr Scruff
to the Solid Steel Presents series, Ninja Tune now call on the
extra-special talents of new recruit Bonobo for a mixtape to savour.
It Came From The Sea skillfully blends some of Simon
Green's choicest cuts with some choice picks from the Ninja Tune
back catalogue to create a truly mesmerising collection of favourites.
We have long been fans of Bonobo, having been impressed with
both his albums and the way in which he strove to recreate them
with live instruments at the Jazz Cafe.
Here, he blends several instances of his own music with some
top choices from Ninja's own arsenal, thereby mixing the likes
of Pick Up and Flutter with Diesler's Sandcastles
and King Seven's impossible to find Hidden.
The selection is truly essential and almost every track is one
to savour (almost, we say, because Belgradeyard Sound System's
urban-style rap on Munchies feels out of place with the
overall vibe).
So what is there to especially look out for? First and foremost,
probably, are the exclusive Bonobo tracks - the beautiful Recurring,
which offers a sneak peek at the artist's forthcoming new album
(complete with a supreme bassline a third of the way through)
and Change Down/The Sugar Rhyme, a self-made, self-referring
bootleg that mashes together both of those tracks in surprising
fashion.
Then there's a souped-up version of his own Lalo Schiffrin, 70s
funk-fuelled Pick Up, which could literally have you
drooling as you hit the dance-floor in a sweaty lather!
All these choice Bonobo cuts are mixed and blended seamlessly
with some absolute classics.
First and foremost is the Karminsky Experience's Exploration,
a superb mix of David Holmes-style funk and delicious sitar stabs.
Or the gorgeous Hidden, with its intoxicating blend
of violins and guitars. If you haven't been seduced already, you
soon will be.
For the chill out, there's even a supremely well thought out
closing selection that ought to have you gazing out the window
in quiet reflection.
Amon Tobin's Easy Muffin is just pure class and the
sort of track you know you'll have heard somewhere before, while
60-year-old harpist Super Numeri brings things to a close with
the poignant Otter's Pond.
It Came From The Sea (in this case, Brighton) is everything
you could wish for and more from a mix session. It is another
masterpiece from the wizard that is Bonobo.
Related reviews: DJ
Kentaro (Solid Steel Presents)
Bonobo - Caught live
at The Jazz Cafe
Bonobo - Dial M for Monkey
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