The second album for Bonobo (Simon Green), besides being quite short at slightly more than 40 minutes, is a world-wise blend of lullabies. Utilizing the sounds of such traditional instruments as the Javanese gamelan (“D Song”) and Indian sitar (“Flutter”), alongside more modern trappings like scratching and electronic effects, helps add a depth to his studio production that simply cannot be found in a synthesizer’s preset buttons alone. The tumbling guitar and ethereal effects in standout cut “Wayward Bob” would not sound out of place on a classic 4AD release as it straddles a gorgeous line of darkness. It is indicative of an album that will please listeners outside of its immediate genre as well as devotees. While not the most spellbinding offering in the Ninja catalog, Bonobo’s effort still outpaces a number of ambient and downtempo sounds in the field.—TP