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Bombay Monkey - Time Travellers
Bombay Monkey- Time Travellers E.P."Time Travellers" is the second in a series of three conceptually linked EP’s from Bombay Monkey.
For those who don’t know, Bombay Monkey specialise in atmospheric, instrumental hip hop of a quirky nature. They have gained favourable comparisons with Aim, Mr Scruff & Lemonjelly. The first EP in the series, “Vanish”, became a firm favourite with my friends & family & was reviewed on the bigchill.net.
A quick perusal of the cover reveals a nod to the 60’s TV series "The Time Tunnel". This compliments the music which has a retro-futuristic feel; the 60’s fantasy of what the future could have been like. Their Myspace site reveals they are fans of Gerry Anderson.
My first impressions of "Time Travellers" were like I’d stumbled across a soundtrack to an old spy movie. The music seems to have nod to John Barry, with twanging guitar riffs, orchestral samples & big strings. Thankfully, it is not camp Austin Powers version of the 60’s, but it has a hint of the earlier (& cooler) Connery era Bond soundtracks. You could imagine the music as being the background to a movie about espionage.
Bombay Monkey style is essentially the same - hip hop style beats keep everything moving, basslines have an occasional touch of dub. The vocal samples feel like subliminal messages and give the EP its time travel theme. Like "Vanish", the production is tight, (this EP fits in 11 tracks in 33 minutes!) & works as a whole, rather than just a collection of tracks.
However, dare I say there is a whiff of maturity in this release? The predecessor, "Vanish", darted off on some playful oddball tangents, whereas "Time Travellers" has a more unified feel. It doesn’t feel like Bombay Monkey has radically changed their approach, but have dug deeper into the more atmospheric aspects of their style.
The EP gets off to a breezy start with the title track "Time Travellers", which kicks in with a bossanova type groove, some John Barry style guitar twangs & a great hip hop break. The second track "World War 3" keeps up the pace with a chunky guitar riff & some dark vocal samples asking "What’s on your twisted mind?"... my Dad said this one reminded him of the Man from U.N.C.L.E.
The EP then slows down into "Echoes of love". It’s a standout track & suggests someone trying to erase painful memories of a previous lover. This number is turning point, as the EP stays in more downtempo territory & explores a series of mood pieces…….all of which are very good. Favourites are "Voodoo Time" which has an eerie guitar riff & "Secret Agent", built around a lush string hook.
The Time Traveller’s EP is like a movie soundtrack that implies its own story. You get the impression intrepid secret agents went off on a time travelling adventure & then somehow ended up getting lost in time……….did they ever make it back? The closing track, "Right Here", has a melancholy piano refrain that suggests maybe they didn’t! It’s an enigmatic ending.
If "Vanish" could be compared to "Star Wars", then "Time Travellers" could be compared to "The Empire Strikes Back"; it’s a more sophisticated, moodier sequel. If you liked "Vanish", it’s a no brainer, get "Time Travellers".
If you haven’t heard either of their EP’s & like downtempo Chill-Out, then do yourself a favour & check out Bombay Monkey. Keep an eye out for gigs, as their A/V show rocked the house at the recent Baked Beats.
This is shaping up to be an essential Trilogy of EP’s. Here’s to part three.
Andy S
www.lo-tek.co.uk
www.myspace.com/bombaymonkey
Written: 19th Oct, 06
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