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So it was only a couple of years ago that Simon decided that the future for Bonobo was to push the boundaries and move from a DJ based project to a full live band and I’d defy anyone saying that moving to the band wasn’t the thing to do after watching this recording of the live gig at Koko in Camden Town.

It might not be the most exciting visually, but musically the band of Simon Green (Bass), Jack Baker (Drums), Ewan Wallace (Guitar), Simon Little (Keyboards), Wayne Urquart (Cello), Jote Osahn (Violin) Mike Simmons (Violin), Andy Wilkins (Percussion), Ben Cook (Sax), Kathrin DeBoer (Vocals) are all excellent.

And that’s why you might see some of these faces in the crowd at Audio tonight as they form a right mix of Ninja Tune and Tru Thoughts artists (whether contributing to Pest, Cinematic Orchestra, Alice Russell Band and one third of Belleruche, Hardkandy and Quantic Soul Orchestra to name just a few)

We always loved the album Days To Come but this is possibly better and not just because Kathrin DeBoer (she being the one third of Belleruche, who will be touring themselves will The Express in Europe April to June) is on vocal duties. Or that 100% of the Jack Baker trio is on drums, he of Boto And The Second Liners; definitely worth getting to the ending with the perversely entitled ‘On Your Marks’ also with a fine solo form Ben Cooke.

The DVD is interspersed with interview footage with Bonobo which you can leave out if you like but what you won’t want to miss out on is the two-track Bonobo remix 10” that’s out on the same day. With the Nostalgia 77 remix ‘Between The Lines’ that beefs up the soul-jazz elements of the original (or track 11 on the DVD now) with killer drums, booming double bass and an increased emphasis on baritone sax and flute; it’s a winner as someone might say.

On the flip, New York’s Mice Parade (an anagram of Adam Pierce) goes more experimental ambient cinematic on ‘Recurring’ that’s errie “guitar-drone catharsis”.

And whilst on the links between Ninja Tune and Tru Thoughts, the long awaited Nostalgia 77 Sessions album featuring the mighty Keith and Julie Tippett (review now HERE soon).

Green has come a long way since his Tru Thoughts debut in 1999 when only 18 years old with a track their [now long running] Shapes compilation and we’re told that he’s working on a new album as of now so he might even drop some preview tracks tonight.

Reviewed: Bonobo - Bonobo Live At Koko (Ninja Tune) Cat. No: ZENDV119 Release date: 23rd March 2009
Tracklisting:
1 Days To Come
2 Nothing Owed
3 Ketto
4 Dismantling Frank
5 Walking In The Sky
6 Noctuary
7 The Plug
8 Flutter
9 Nightlite
10 Transmission 94
11 Between The Lines
12 On Your Marks

Links:
myspace.com/sibonobo
bonobomusic.com
www.myspace.com/miceparadeband
www.nostalgia77.com
www.myspace.com/nostalgia77
www.tru-thoughts.co.uk
www.ninjatune.net
Audio www.audiobrighton.com: Friday 20th March 2009 Bonobo (Ninja Tune) DJ Set, Robert Luis (ME&YOU, Tru Thoughts) 10 Marine Parade, Brighton BN2 1TL 11pm - 4am £7 Before midnight
17th April Tru Thoughts presents Chris Vogado (Fluid Ounce, Zero dB, Ninja Tune), Domu & Natural Self (Live)
www.redhotpromotion.com