UK native Simon Green has spent the last fourteen years crafting a musical project largely unparalleled in its musical style and live performance format. As of 2013, the 37-year-old multi-instrumentalist now has five studio albums under his belt as well as a number of expansive tours. Bonobo’s fifth studio album, The North Borders, recently hit the shelves and is quickly garnering much deserved praise as a follow-up to the critically acclaimed tour-de-force Black Sands.
Shigeto
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Majestic Theatre
9 PM; Sold Out
In the studio, Green is the primary creative force behind the eclectic mix of electronic and acoustic compositions. Beginning with a more recognizable trip-hop aesthetic, Bonobo’s unique sound has grown and evolved with every new release. Labeling his work with stock genre titles truly does his music a disservice, with some songs pulling from more than three distinct musical styles to form the soothing and sometimes eerie tracks that have resonated with fans for years. With 2010’s Black Sands, Green marked a particularly explicit shift in tone and aesthetic by incorporating a more pronounced collaborative element to his music through featured vocalists on top of his delicately balanced blend of samples, complex bass structures, and live acoustics.
Bonobo’s live persona is equally as impressive and innovative in its creativity and uncommon execution. With such intricate and multifaceted musical elements incorporated together at once, Green has opted for a full live band to properly present the music’s complexity and collaborative feel. Perhaps one of the most striking influences that emerges out of his entire discography is an unmistakable jazz component. The live band format allows for the kind of improvisation and groove that makes jazz such an enjoyable live experience, giving the audience something that can’t be duplicated or replicated on a record.
I highly suggest listening to his new album before seeing them live to fully appreciate the subtleties that differentiate the group’s live persona from their records. The North Borders is a great mix of his traditional jazz-inspired downtempo tracks as well as some more upbeat house and hip-hop-laden material. To me, the best aspect of Bonobo is an inherent optimism that comes through in his music. No matter what scene you tend to stick to around town, I guarantee you’ll come out of this show feeling pretty good.