Simon Green aka Bonobo returns with his fourth, most eagerly-anticipated and most accomplished album to date, the magnificent "Black Sands." Green proves once and for all with "Black Sands" that he is an artist and producer with his sights set on much higher prizes than to rule any dusty subgenre of dance music. This is a record of epic reach and massive emotional pull, all held together by Green's understanding of composition and arrangement of live instruments (most of them also played by him) as well as his complete mastery of the tricks and techniques of the digital age. "Black Sands" is the most contemporary record he has ever made.

Opening track "Kiara" sets out Bonobo's stall quickly. Yes, there is an exquisite string refrain, reminiscent of Chinese art movies, but Green places this within the context of a thumping beat, deep synths and cut up vocals. "Kong" seems closer to the soul-jazz template which has long influenced the Bonobo sound but each further listen showcases both the intricacy of his productions and the subtlety with which he achieves them. The skipping beat of "Eyesdown" and the way he weaves Andreya Triana's vocals through layers of sub-bass show Green making his own moves with the influences of two-step. "El Toro" brings a Brazilian flavour but without losing any of the hard snap of the beats. "We Could Forever" combines high-life guitar lines with punishing, melancholy bass. First single, "The Keeper" shows Green and Triana coming through with their most intense, emotional soul jam. "All In Forms" once again combines a shimmering beauty with some serious beat 'n' bass action. "Wonder When" showcases Andreya Triana's voice again, this time in the context of a polyrhythmic finger snapper which will lead to euphoric scenes on the dancefloor. "Animals" sounds like Joy Division jamming with Steve Reich and a bloco band. Title track "Black Sands" finishes the album with a perfectly judged, melancholy waltz, waves of horns swelling up to the kind of finale that sings in your ears even after it has stopped.

Since Simon Green's last album, "Days To Come," he has become one of Ninja Tune's biggest artists worldwide, with over fifteen million plays on Last.FM and a series of sell out tours with his live band which have moved from venues such as the Luminaire to the Kentish Town Forum and the Roundhouse. This combination of superb live shows and studio wizardry means that he is now perfectly placed to push on into a yet bigger league. With "Black Sands," Bonobo has made the progressive record to achieve it.
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REVERSE REMIX CONTEST



Simon Green aka Bonobo is a man much in demand for his remix skills so we thought we would offer you a bit of a twist on the standard remix competition format. Instead of you remixing Bonobo, we're offering you the chance to get a remix from Bonobo. Yep, for zip, nada and zilch, Simon Green will take a tune of your choice and make it lovely.

It's all quite simple really. Go to the competition homepage and upload a piece of your music. It can be anything from your cutting-edge dubstep to the oompah-band you play in at weekends. Anyone visiting the site can vote for their favourite from among the music which has been uploaded. At the end of the competition the ten most popular tracks will be sent to Mr Bonobo and he will decide which to drop his sparkles on.

Obviously we don't want you cheating those votes but it's cool to let friends, family and your supporters on the social networks know. That's just rallying the troops. As long as they're real people (that's as opposed to netbots, not fake-ass motherfuckers, who are eligible) we're happy.

Upload and prosper!

Remix Contest HOMEPAGE

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Bonobo
'Black Sands'
OUT 3/23 US, 3/29 WORLD
Ninja Tune



Tracklist:

1. Prelude
2. Kiara
3. Kong
4. Eyesdown ft. Andreya Triana
5. El Toro
6. We Could Forever
7. 1009
8. All in Forms
9. The Keeper ft. Andreya Triana
10. Stay the Same
11. Animals
12. Black Sands

'Black Sands' is released 23rd March in US and 29th March elsewhere.

Pre-orders being taken now: USA and RoW

Bonobo on Myspace
Ninja Tune



MP3: Eyes Down preview edit
MP3: Eyes Down (Warrior One Remix)


Bonobo US dates:
w/ *The Invisible (Live)
**Yppah (Live)

4/1/10 - Chicago @ Smart Bar - (Bonobo DJ Set)
4/1/10 - Chicago @ Metro*
4/2/10 - Toronto @ Opera House*
4/3/10 - Buffalo @ Tralf Music Hall*
4/4/10 - New York @ Music Hall Williamsburg*
4/5/10 - New York @ Bowery Ballroom*
4/6/10 - Boston @ Paradise*
4/8/10 - West Chester @ The Note*
4/9/10 - Asheville @ Club 828*
4/10/10 - Athens @ New Earth Music Hall*
4/11/10 - New Orleans @ One Eyed Jacks*
4/17/10 - Denver @ Ogden Theater**
4/20/10 - San Diego @ Casbah**
4/22/10 - Los Angeles @ El Rey Theatre**
4/23/10 - San Francisco @ Mezzanine**
4/24/10 - Portland @ Wonder Ballroom**
4/25/10 - Seattle @ Showbox at the Market**

Bonobo - The Keeper featuring Andreya Triana from Ninja Tune on Vimeo.