ALBUM REVIEW: Bonobo: 'Black Sands Remixed' (Middle Boop Mag)

Published at:  http://www.middleboopmag.com/music/albums/bonobo-%E2%80%98black-sands-remixed%E2%80%99-ninja-tune

Bonobo is one of Ninja Tune’s most flourishing artists, ‘Black Sands’ was released back in 2010, receiving worldwide acclaim and being named as the album of his career. The remix album welcomes a number of likeminded musicians and producers to rework this ambient masterpiece.

Boasting appearances from Banks, Mark Pritchard and Machine Drum, some have spiced up the more chilled out, liquid tracks and transformed them into potential dance floor fillers; others have been stripped back and distorted to create a more experimental sound than their original.

 ‘Prelude’ (Lapulux Finger on the Tape remix) takes us to a more spacey, futuristic and strung out place, with hints of chill step.  ‘The Keeper’, remixed by Banks, sounds darker with heavier percussion, it works. He’s utilised one of the best tracks from ‘Black Sands’ and given it an electro spin, arguably one of the best remixes on the album.

‘Kiara’ has been mixed by Cosmin TRG – I really like this rework, its imaginative with a dirty sounding bass line. This would sound amazing live; it’s expansive and chaotic in parts, with a host of different elements skilfully woven together. I really didn’t think the original could get much better.

‘Eyes down’, perhaps the best track from ‘Black Sands’ appears four times, which is rather a lot. The first remix by Floating points stretches out the original and breaks the down the wispy voice of Andreya Triana, it’s a blessing to the ears. The ARP 101 remix gives us a drudgy baseline, sounding garage like in parts, there are also vague hints of trance.  Now this is an interesting one, ‘Eyes down’ feat Dels is really quite something, reminiscent of Ghostpoet, he gives the track an urban edge, it does seem ill placed on the album, but is welcomed.

‘All In Forms’ appears twice, its first appearance is the Falty DL Remix. He’s taken one of the more up-tempo tracks and distorted the lyrics. It’s very experimental and dream like in parts with powerful synths. ‘Ghostship’ is a track that didn’t make it onto the original album, and what a gem, trip hop at its finest. 

‘Stay The Same’ (Mark Pritchard Remix) is another highlight, it’s extremely emotive and atmospheric, he did add a weird riff which I’m not sure works, it feels as if it’s just been clumsily placed underneath the original track.  ‘Eyesdown’ (Machine Drum Remix) is a complete overhaul of the original, he’s made it his own, its trippy, a bit too trippy for most I think.

All In Forms (Mike Slott Remix) gives us a Brazilian sounding drum beat, but not much else has changed. ‘Stay The Same’ (Blue Daisy 'Not Quite the Same' Remix) is broken and echoey with a thudding bass line. ‘Brace Brace’ is a bonus track from ‘Black Sands’, more of that classic ambient sound, it lacks lyrics but each note instantly resonates with your soul, a skill that Bonobo has down to a T. The last track, Black Sands (Duke Dumont's 'Grains Of Sand' Reconstruction Edit) has been given an epic, almost finale sounding vibe, similar to some of the M83’s recent work.   

This album is varied, and interesting, a real treat for Bonobo fans.  It has been produced exceptionally well. There are moments of intricate delicacy and moments of complete chaos, it is a real grower, so give it a few listens, you will love it by the end.