Check Out Simon Green, aka Bonobo.

British DJ, producer and multi-instrumentalist, Bonobo creates a unique style of electronic music. What sets him apart from other ambient "downtempo" artists is the influence he draws from jazz and R&B. While he started out extracting sound clips from existing records for his tracks, Green recently added a live band to his recordings. Bonobo's latest two releases, Days to Come (2006) and Black Sands (2010), also feature collaborations with jazzy vocalists, Andreya Triana and Bajka.


I was able to catch Bonobo's DJ set in Boston last week. Although I would have preferred the above setup with saxophones and violins, it was interesting to see how his recordings translated to the dance party environment. Simon Green definitely has some talent! (He's also adorable.)

Gui Boratto - No Turning Back

Chimes of Freedom and Other Old News

To celebrate it's 50th anniversary, Amnesty International has just released a sprawling 4-disc compilation of Bob Dylan covers. The collection features artists from all walks of the music industry, including Johnny Cash, My Morning Jacket, Carly Simon, Billy Bragg, Sting, and Kesha. It's worth a listen, just to explore some of the various interpretations of Dylan's classics. As with any tribute album, however, some tracks do the original great justice while others just... don't. Amnesty International has the entire compilation available for streaming (and download) at their website, so go take a look for yourself! Meanwhile, I've included a couple of my personal favorites below.

Make You Feel My Love - Adele


One Too Many Mornings - Johnny Cash and the Avett Brothers


On a completely irrelevant note, I rediscovered this gem while perusing my vinyls the other day.  It's a take off Paul Simon's first live solo album, Live Rhymin' (1974).  While I'm in love with this gospelized version of The Sound of Silence, the Jessy Dixon Singers make Simon sound very... tiny.

An Ameteur's Guide To 2011

1. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

Helplessness Blues delivered everything I would have wanted from a sophomore Fleet Foxes album. Yes, it sounds different from the self-titled album we loved so much, but it's definitely no less enjoyable! With this second release, Fleet Foxes has developed a more assertive and direct sound without sacrificing the vocal harmonies and organic, foresty instrumentation of their previous works! Not to mention, they are spectacular live!

2. M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming

If you have seen me in the past week, you are not surprised this album made the list. Granted, it took me a while to actually give it a listen, but I now understand what the hype was about. It's not that I'm a slave to Pitchfork reviews, it's just that I agree this time! Everything about this album works for me, from the ballads to the soaring instrumental interludes, to even the dance tunes! I could (and HAVE- in the privacy of my own living room) dance to cuts like Reunion and OK Pal. This doesn't happen often. Seriously, if you don't like this album yet, try it again!

3. The Antlers - Burst Apart

Here's another band who avoided the "sophomore slump" this year. The Antlers' second release brings the same intensity and expressiveness as Hospice, but a little less heart-wrenching despair. While Hospice may be an album for a rainy, self-pity kind of day, I'd say Burst Apart is a lot lighter and more accessible. Check out these two songs!

4. Rubblebucket - Omega La La

Rubblebucket is great. They are quirky, fun and intriguing to listen to. Omega La La has this mellow, psychedelic dance vibe that's totally successful in my book. In fact, my biggest regret of the past couple years is failing to see Rubblebucket live! I've heard from several sources that their shows are superb! Oh well, I'm sure they'll be back.

5. tUnE-yArDs - w h o k i l l

As I mentioned in my first post, I'm glad I have grown to appreciate the sound of tUnE-yArDs. This second album features the percussive and ever-expressive vocal stylings of Merrill Garbus, as well as ukelele loops and weird horn interludes. While super eccentric at times, it does maintain a catchy-pop style as to not completely alienate the listener. tUnE-yArDs is a band I'd like to see at a music festival- their shows seem so entertaining!

Merry Xmas From Your Friends, Dave and Bing.

Check back in several days for my top 5 albums of 2011!!