Dial M for Monkey

Bonobo | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 17, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ninja Tune
• ASIN: B0000996HH
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #164,455 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

From URB Magazine

Simon Green’s 2000 debut, Animal Magic, still sounds marvellous on a moonlit night, if indistinguishable from dozens of downtempo albums that took inspiration from it. Green’s been raking in the royalties since that influential first outing, leaving a Moby-style dilemma for his sophomore effort: could Dial M for Monkey follow the formula and become a commercial success or would it manage to surprise? In truth, Green’s pony has fewer tricks. It’s no massive departure, whatever the intention. As the title suggests, Dial . . . sticks to its predecessors’ cinematic formula, letting Green’s glorious melodies seep into the consciousness gradually, then buzz around the head like a trapped gnat. "Pick Up" raises the tempo, but Green’s ear for a key-change eventually takes things to moodier depths, remaining there with "Something for Windy" and "Light Pattern." Like the shy kid who secretly prefers violin to gym, Green probably couldn’t change tactics if he tried. Good thing, too.

Simon Hawkins

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Creative, Innovative, and Smart... 4.5 stars, June 21, 2005

By 

Amazodonte (Caracas, Venezuela) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dial M for Monkey (Audio CD)

This is so difficult to describe, it's kind of pointless, but let me give it a try.

This is mainly world music, electronica, downtempo, breaks (amazing beats), jazz (horns, strings, flutes, etc.), trip-hop, and groovy basslines ALL WRAPPED IN AN INCREDIBLY WELL-PRODUCED CD. Breath-taking album. Everytime you play it, you find different elements and sounds that take you different places. It can be edgy, it can be dark, it can be classy, it can be smooth. But it can never be bad. It all depends on your mood (but believe me, it doesn't matter what your mood is, you will always enjoy this one).

This is a lot of music ! Brilliant !!!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smooooooth, August 4, 2003

By 

SAH (aka Mr. MonkeyRiverTown.com) (Plymouth, MN USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dial M for Monkey (Audio CD)

Damn this is smooth. If you like Ninja Tune stuff, or are just looking for a smooth down-tempo ride that doesn't disappoint on even one track, this is it. I own a lot of music in this genre and I like a lot of what's come out of Ninja Tune (the much more frenetic Amon Tobin is my favorite), but this isn't like anything else I have exactly. The tracks show great range and have good variety in beat and content. But it all remains remarkably smooth. Good for chillin', good for drivin' and good for just about anything else you can cut the g off of.

If you are even remotely considering the purchase of this CD, buy it. You won't be sorry. If you are the type of person who ended up on this page because you were browsing the genre or were recommended the CD, get it -- you'll find out there was a very good reason this came up in your recommendations.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars one giant leap, June 23, 2003

By 

dustboy (Frisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dial M for Monkey (Audio CD)

Dial M for Monkey is one of those albums that leaves you in awe of the creative ability of the human mind. The depth of each track seems endless, every time I listen to this CD I find something new in the music. According to Ninja Tune, Simon Green played, sampled, and sequenced every instrument on the CD, which has allowed him to apply his perfectionist's touch. This is instrumental hiphop with an informed understanding of music, something like if one of the great classical composers had grown up in the late 20th century with a sampler.
Don't let the musical depth of this album lead you to think it will put you to sleep, because every track bumps with some tight beats.
Especially notable is the playful complexity of "Flutter", and the bluesy harmonizing and fiery flute solo of "Pick Up".