BONOBO plays the Danforth Music Hall on April 18. Rating: NNNN
Bonobo borrows his moniker from a species of chimpanzee, but his music is no monkey business. The 36-year-old UK musician and producer, whose real name is Simon Green, has been putting out records for over a decade on forward-thinking label Ninja Tune.
For his fifth, Green blends downtempo electronic beats, gentle strings and occasional jazz instrumentation. The music sounds slightly repetitive on its own, so he’s smart to collaborate with vocalists including New York balladeer Grey Reverend and British jazz singer Szjerdene. Fans of Flying Lotus’s last album will find plenty to appreciate here, especially Heaven For The Sinner, featuring Erykah Badu’s soulful vocals over 8-bit blips and lush synths.
The whereabouts of the eponymous “northern borders” are never specified, but they sound like a warm destination worth escaping to.
Top track: Heaven For The Sinner, featuring Erykah Badu
