Fragments is the most emotionally intense record that he - aka Simon Green - has ever had to make. It’s no surprise that it’s also his masterpiece. The album features Jamila Woods, Joji, Kadhja Bonet, Jordan Rakei, O’Flynn and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson. Born first out of fragments of ideas and experimentation, the album ultimately was fused together in a burst of creativity fuelled by both collaboration and Green’s escape into the wild.
Fragments is a series of 12 sonic affirmations, featuring some of the hardest and most hip-shaking grooves that Green has ever created. The ballads are perfectly placed throughout; they capture a world in flux and glow with hope. Coaxing the ideas out initially took some hard work. The constantly-touring Green creates best while on the move; the global shutdown forced him to stand still.
Musical themes began to arise through Green’s exploration of modular synthesis, recordings he had made of harpist Lara Somogyi, his work with arranger and string player Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, his own playing of the Fender Rhodes and more, as the album was created, recorded and mixed by Green over the past two years. The album also came into focus as he sought refuge on solo adventures into nature, away from the shutdowns and wildfires and into the blazing California desert.
One of the biggest names in dance music, Green’s career includes 3 Grammy nominations and 2 million tickets sold for the tour supporting his 2017 album Migration. Migration was a top ten album in multiple countries, top five at home in the UK and a Billboard dance album number one in the US. He’s also a favourite mainstage performer at the world’s greatest music festivals. As part of the tour announced today Bonobo will play three dates at the legendary Royal Albert Hall in London in addition to dates in Brighton, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Nottingham.
Track List:
A1. Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Bonobo - Polyghost 1:48
A2. Jordan Rakei, Bonobo - Shadows 4:45
A3. Bonobo - Rosewood 4:03
B1. O’Flynn, Bonobo - Otomo 6:12
B2. Jamila Woods, Bonobo - Tides 3:46
B3. Joji, Bonobo - From you 3:30
C1. Bonobo - Closer 5:11
C2. Bonobo - Age of Phase 5:42
C3. Bonobo - Elysian 3:01
D1. Bonobo - Counterpart 5:32
D2. Bonobo - Sapien 4:03
D3. Kadhja Bonet, Bonobo - Day by Day 3:44
Media Condition: Mint (M)
Sleeve Condition: Mint (M)
Country: Europe
Genre: Electronic
Style: Deep House, Electro, House, Downtempo
Ninja Tune