Customer Reviews

Dial 'M' for Monkey

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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 !!!

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.

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".

Dial M for Monkey is a masterpiece for Ninja Tune addicts.
For those who are not so deeply interested in experimental
labels, Bonobo's Dial M for Monkey is admiringly listenable.

It stands out with its exquisite warm intelligent melodies.
Subtle synths and rhythm. Lots of live instruments and friendly
smart drums patterns.

Probably the mildest artist you can find on the Ninja Tune list.

For all of you that are searching for slow (downtempo) relaxing music,
try this before the rest. There is more to it than you'll
get to in the beginning, but even if you don't dig deeper,
this is one of the best pieces of music you'll ever find.

Personal favourites: Change Down, Wayward Bob, Nothing Owed.

Exquisite!

This album is definitely a different sounding album than animal magic. It's catchier, simplier and also shorter in song length. The interesting thing about this album is it keeps you wanting more after it's over. The songs remain in your head way after the music is over. I hear he's coming to this festival in San Francisco this fall, think sept 26th, here's the site I saw it on-- www.futureforwardfest.com I'm definitely gonna check it out and you should to if you're into Bonobo.

After Bonobo's earlier album 'Animal Magic', I suspected he would always be a little brother to Amon Tobin. I mean honestly, does anyone else think track 03 - Dinosaurs sounds EXACTLY like an Amon Tobin track? It's ridiculous how similar it sounds. The other tracks not as much, and they hold their own in a small way. So after that fiasco, I had little respect for Bonobo as a unique artist. I just thought he was playing a borrowed fiddle in Tobin's shadow. So when 'Dial M' came out, I had little faith. But thanks to Ninjatune.net's track listening capabilities, I was astonishingly surprised. I bow down to you, Bonobo. Track 01 propels me into a crazy melodic orgy, filled with subtle beats, ominous bass, and a round about foot tapping good time. The album peaks at track 05 - Wayward Bob, with its haunted harpsichord and strong beat (the name Pest rings a bell).
The next track, the flagship Pick Up, tends to be anticlimactic after Wayward Bob, in my opinion. And the album ends very elegantly, with Melody A.M. acoustic guitars and soothing jazz. I tip my hat to you, Mr. Bonobo. You've come a long way, b- oops, wrong artist.

I am a big fan of downtempo and own alot of chill out CDs. If you're getting into the genre this should be on your essential list. I started listening to downtempo with alot of CD's with fancy artwork that is supposed to evoke a feeling of being chilled out in some club in paris or whatever. I like some of them but for every 2 songs I like on these discs I hate about 12 of them. A generic comment about Bonobo is that it is downtempo, but it isn't dull and uninspiring.

I bought this and Animal Magic as well as Amon Tobin's Supermodified. All are amazing and better than anything else I own including ALL my Thievery Corp CDs. But if I could only keep one of these excellent discs it would be Dial M.

Each song is awesome. I cannot describe in words how I feel after playing this disc. I feel moved and stirred after listening. Its not BS what ppl are saying - the man's work is truly a pleasure to listen to. For everybody the emotion the music evokes will be unique and personal but it will be a moving experience. Particularly with this disc I feel my mood is always improved.

My only gripe is it ends too soon. I wish there were more songs on this disc. Each of his albums is familiar but unique and different. Since I liked his sound and overall style in this album I kind of wished there were a few more tracks. But that aside it is one of the best CDs in my library.

One last note. If you are an audiophile you will especially like this disc. I listened to this in the car and I like it, but it is like its entirely different music on a decent stereo system (PSB Image series speakers and PSB sub). The details and nuances that Bonobo has put into the music. Someone else noted this, but the details and textures in the music are very beautiful and it becomes alot more aparent the more you listen especially on better equipment.

After hearing the song "Pick Up" on my local trip-hop/chill-out/worldmusic radio station, i knew i had to pick up Bonobo's "Dial M For Monkey"! An awesome release influenced by plenty of international sounds and solid, heavy/chilled beats, "Dial M" is a sure fire record to please any emotional and chilled listener.

"Dial M" simply astounded me. downtempo Brit Simon Green has done it again. It's an album you will want to listen to over and over again without getting bored. Especially the track titled "Nothing Owed" is incredible. Wonderful music! After the no new ground breaking "Animal Magic" this album is definitely a giant leap forward. Go out, buy it and enjoy it for the rest of your life...

This CD is absolutely incredible. Some of the most lush, emotional, beautiful downtempo I've ever heard. I'm heavily into downbeat music and I've heard a lot, but this CD absolutely blows me away on every level. This stuff truly stirs your soul. Amazing powerful stuff. You will not be disappointed with this.