Kinobe: The Pioneering Sound of UK Chillout

Kinobe is a British electronic music production duo known for crafting lush, sample-rich downtempo and chillout soundscapes. Originating from the vibrant UK electronic scene, the group achieved significant commercial success with their track "Slip Into Something More Comfortable," which became a staple on compilations and in advertising, selling over 300,000 copies in the UK alone.

Early career

The duo, formed by producers Julius Waters and Matt Ford, began their journey in the mid-1990s, emerging from the eclectic Bristol music landscape. Their early work was characterized by a fusion of trip-hop beats, jazz samples, and atmospheric textures, leading to their signing with the influential indie label Virgin Records' ambient subsidiary, Virgin Ambient.

Breakthrough

Kinobe's major breakthrough arrived in 2000 with the release of their debut album, Soundphiles, on Virgin. The lead single, "Slip Into Something More Comfortable," became an unexpected hit, receiving heavy rotation on radio and music television channels across Europe. The track's popularity was cemented by its feature on countless chillout compilations and a high-profile advertising campaign for Levi's Jeans, helping it achieve Silver certification in the UK.

Key tracks

Slip Into Something More Comfortable — This defining track propelled the duo to fame with its smooth bassline and iconic flute sample, becoming a chillout anthem.

Escape — A key album cut that showcases their signature blend of cinematic strings and laid-back grooves, solidifying their album-oriented appeal.

Wide Open — Featured on their second album, this track exemplifies their evolution towards a more organic, live-instrumentation sound.

From The Start — This song highlights Kinobe's skillful use of vocal samples and intricate production, a hallmark of their early sound.

The success of their debut led to extensive global touring and festival appearances. They followed up with their second studio album, Versus, in 2005, which explored deeper house and funk influences while maintaining their accessible melodic core.

Kinobe's music has been licensed extensively for film, television, and advertising, broadening their reach beyond the traditional album market. Their production style, which often incorporates live musicianship over electronic foundations, has kept their catalog fresh and relevant within the downtempo genre.

Fans of Kinobe's textured, melodic approach to chillout music often appreciate the work of similar UK artists. Morcheeba shares a similar fusion of trip-hop sensibilities with smooth, accessible songcraft. Zero 7 parallels Kinobe's talent for crafting lush, soul-infused electronic soundscapes with a focus on melody. Bonobo follows in a similar vein, building intricate, jazz-influenced downtempo compositions that evolve over time.

Kinobe's sophisticated chillout anthems maintain a steady presence on radio, particularly on dedicated downtempo and lounge FM stations, ambient online radio streams, and eclectic independent music stations that champion electronic music.

You can hear the distinctive music of Kinobe on a variety of radio stations featured here on onairium.com, where listeners can easily discover or tune into their classic tracks and deeper cuts through our curated selection of electronic and chillout-focused stations.