Bonobo seems like an obvious choice for a LateNightTales compilation. His productions, filled with jazz and folk samples, move at the perfect pace for those hazy hours between night and early morning. Fortunately the UK producer does not disappoint. Many of the selections carry a heavy folk music vibe, along with some mellow soul picks and spacious downtempo choices. There are plenty of strings and piano to go around with set opener "An Ending A Beginning" from Dustin O'Halloran and Dorothy Ashby's "Essence Of Sapphire" being especially pleasing. Bonobo's cover of Donovan's "Get Thy Bearings" seems to fit right into the mix. He turns the hip grooves of the 1960s song into a smooth downtempo piece. The majority of the compilation is subtle and sublime with an overriding sense of comfort and ease. It's pretty hard to go wrong with songs from Nina Simone, Lab favorites BadBadNotGood, and English jazz pianist Matthew Bourne. Definitely a great collection to end the night with while the sun starts to make its way over the horizon.

• music label: LateNightTales 2013

reviewed by Michu Meszaros 03/2015