Product description REMIXED : 3LP set. Reworkings of songs off his 2010 album by Mark Pritchard, Floating Points, Machinedrum, Banks, Duke Dumont and others! Review Widely acclaimed upon its 2010 release, Simon Green’s fourth album as Bonobo, Black Sands, was the sort of immersive experience which didn’t sound like it’d lend itself to a track-for-track remix reinterpretation. And so it proves, as this 14-track compilation visits the same song a handful of times (inevitably the fine single Eyesdown), while offering a pair of nearly-new productions that never made the original album, Brace Brace and Ghost Ship – the latter was a freebie to promote Ninja Tune’s XX anniversary set.Green’s little black book must be one he keeps closely guarded, as there’s an impressive line-up of talent on show. Lapalux might be a new name to some, but his forthcoming When You’re Gone EP, on Flying Lotus’ Brainfeeder imprint, might change that – Radio 1’s Benji B has been highly supportive. The Lapalux take on Black Sands’ intro, Prelude, is to stretch it to nearly four-times the original’s length and throw a hard drive of wobbly effects at it: needless to say what was a curt, elegant introduction is mutated into something wholly different, but certainly of an equally high quality. The Banks remix of The Keeper sticks rather closer to its source material, embellishing what was there rather than attempting a complete rework, the core structure much as it was before.Standouts present themselves in very different ways. The Machinedrum take on Eyesdown gives the Andreya Triana-voiced track an incredibly potent shot in the arm, with Travis Stewart transforming the trip-hopping vibe of the original into something rather more juke’d up. A version of the same number with additional vocals from Big Dada rapper Dels is a treat, likewise Berlin-based producer Cosmin TRG’s treatment of Kiara – whereas the Black Sands version is a strings-soaked broken-beat half-step, here it’s possessed by an ominous energy which spins its way close to the atmospheric electro of Modeselektor. But perhaps the most awesome remix is saved for the end: Duke Dumont’s ‘Grains of Sand’ reconstruction of the title-track has to be one of the most beautiful works of sound art this side of Tim Hecker’s Ravedeath, 1972. Close your eyes: it’s a perfect re-scoring of Blade Runner’s sci-fi city vista scenes.If Black Sands was a very organic-sounding experience, then there’s no doubt that the likes of ARP 101 and Floating Points bring a more synthesized sound to the fore. But by varying these floor-friendly versions with cerebral offerings taking Green’s blueprints and actively looking the other way, …Remixed makes for a listen every bit as interesting as Black Sands, the singular vision. --Mike Diver Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off in a new window
K**N
Wonderful music! Great album.
Fantastic album!
G**Z
A remixed affair. Get it for Ghost Ship and Brace Brace!
Remix albums for me can be a bit hit and miss however I love Bonobo's work so downloaded this without hesitation. It is though just as I expected and as with other remix albums. None of the remixes are anywhere near as good (four remixes of Eyesdown, two of Stay The Same) as the original albums versions. There are some very interesting efforts though that generally try/add some darker, moodier tones and layers that are certainly worth a listen. The main draw here for me was the chance to hear Ghost Ship (previously a Ninja Tune anniversary freebie download that I missed) and Brace Brace as those tracks are purely Bonobo untouched and on form as always. I guess the key for me is that when it's Bonobo remixing other artist's work it leads to some beautiful music that improves on the original and helps me discover other artists too. However, when it's other artists remixing Bonobo it might be interesting, it might be good, but it will never shine like the untinkered with original work does (just search for any Bonobo remixes and his One Off and B Sides album). So a bit of a mixed affair (pun intended, sorry)! Any doubts about downloading the whole album but you are a Bonobo fan just get Ghost Ship and Brace Brace.EDIT/EXTRA: Having listened to this a few times now and it's still the case that Ghost Ship and Brace Brace are the best tracks on it. There are some other tracks that have grown on me more but only because they sound like minimal changes have been made to them (e.g. a rap vocal on an EyesDown remix, what sounds to me like an extra layer or two added to some of the remixes). Some of the remixes are so far removed from the originals I will be skipping them in the future. It does make me want to listen to the original Black Sands album again. I think all Black Sands really needed was a full on instrumentals version CD like he did with Days To Come or just Bonobo remixing Bonobo.P.S. You can also currently download a free MiniMix of the album via Bonobo's facebook page to get a better taste of remixed tracks on the album before you buy.
A**E
A long way from the original
This remix album is exactly what it says on the tin. I've enjoyed listening to it and it has taken back to Black Sands, which I haven't listened to in a while. I think the problem with these mixes is that the original album takes you on a sumptuous, coherant journey - too much of that is lost here. Make no mistake, there is good music here, but if you are not a fan of the remix concept, this isn't for you.A cheeky little tip: if you purchase the CD from the record label (Ninja Tune), you pay £7, get an instant download and a free second Bonobo remixes CD with:1. Nightlite (Zero dB Reconstruction) 7:262. Pick Up (Fourtet Remix) 7:143. Between the Line (Nostalgia 77 Remix) 6:164. The Keeper (Grasscut Bitter Peace Remix) 3:455. Nightlite (Bonobo Mix) 5:156. The Keeper (Redeyes Remix) 5:287. Eyesdown (Applebum & Komonazmuk Remix) 8:188. Recurring (Mice Parade Remix) 4:10
F**D
Black Sands Renuked
Generally speaking, I don't like remix albums. And my opinion has not changed with this. Black Sands is a sumptuous recording that takes the listener on a musical journey. This however, does not. I agree with most of the reviews here, and would say that if you are only just coming to Bonobo, check out the original recording of this album and leave this well alone.
Y**N
Get the CD
There is some really good music on this release, however, I have a problem with the running order which intersperses the far-out experimental stuff with the more catchy remixes. I wish I had bought the CD version so that I could use the program function of my CD player to make this set more listenable.
Trustpilot
3 weeks ago
2 months ago
