Fragments (Deluxed Edition)＜Clear Vinyl＞

Simon Green began working on his seventh studio album as Bonobo at the beginning of 2020, as dancefloors around the world were closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the past, Green had typically created music while touring, but this time he was able to stay grounded and concentrate, creating the record in a self-built studio in Los Angeles. Appearing a few years after Bonobos underappreciated Fabric Presents mix, Fragments has more of a focus on club-driven material than Greens previous full-lengths, yet its still composed and structured as a proper album rather than just a collection of tracks. His productions are just the right balance of lush and gritty, blending rich string arrangements by Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and lovely harp playing by Lara Somogyi with modular synth swells and soulful organs. Greens sound is refined and accessible, yet never too slick or loaded with artificial feel-good vibes like a lot of commercial, Ibiza-friendly house. The disembodied vocal sample on "Rosewood" ("I wont leave you") is mysterious and stirring, while "Otomo" uses a haunting choral sample that sounds like something Deep Forest wouldve employed in the early 90s, but sets it to more of a charging breakbeat rhythm. "Closer" and "Sapien" both feature garage-influenced beat patterns and hazy synth textures, and could easily mix with Bicep tracks without being mistaken for them. As impressive as Fragments dance tracks are, two of the downtempo tunes are easily the most memorable ones on the album. On "Tides," Green pulls back the curtain a bit in order to spotlight Jamila Woods tender lyrics; he praises Woods contribution for providing a centerpiece and giving focus to the record, and hes right on the mark. Kadhja Bonet guests on the album-concluding "Day by Day," and her delicate vocals tiptoe through sturdy beats and gently rising strings, providing a message of hope and patience. ~ Paul Simpson

フル・アルバムとしては5年ぶりの新作。ここ数作はNYやLA移住などの動きを作品そのものに描き込んできた彼だが、物理的な移動を制限される状況下での創作が過去最高に明快なフロア寄りのダンス・トラックを生み出しているというのも実におもしろい。ミゲル・アトウッド・ファーガソンやハープ奏者ララ・ソモギとの手合わせなど作中のトピックは多彩ながら、純粋にハウスやクラブの薫りを感じさせるビートの躍動が希望のメッセージを内包して響いてくる様に感動を覚える。その触媒ともなったジョーダン・ラカイやジャミーラ・ウッズ、88ライジングのジョージ、カディア・ボネイといったヴォーカル陣も素晴らしいし、オフリンと共作した"Otomo"も光っている。キャリア最高傑作との触れ込みに偽りはない。
bounce (C)轟ひろみ