To be honest, few labels stick to their principles as fiercely and uncompromisingly as Ninja Tune – the London-based independent record label started in 1991 by DJs Matt Black and Jonathan More, better known as Coldcut. More popularly known for nurturing DJs and producer ‘projects’ like DJ Shadow, Kid Koala, Spank Rock, Mr Scruff and cLOUDDEAD the label recently set up another imprint, Counter Records to release the debut album from diminutive Scouse rebel-rouser, Pop Levi (The Return To Form Black Magick Party, February 2007) and the soon to be unleashed, ‘Worldwide’ from the punky and charmingly bonkers, The Death Set (7th April). Of course it’s always been a specialized and brazenly experimental brew; hip-hop, nu jazz, chillout, turntablism, drum and bass and things that go bump in the night – but it’s never been boring. Nor did it ever sacrifice quality for the sake of adventure. It’s a surreal and esoteric mix, certainly, but it’s seldom indulgent.
This is the fifth in a series of compilations and presents a fairly tasty and wideranging selection of cuts; cold and otherwise: Roots Manuva, Pop Levi, Cinematic Orchestra, Daedelus, Spank Rock, Fink, DJ Shadow, Kid Koala, Mr Scruff, Bonobo, Fog, CLOUDEAD, Wiley, the Herbaliser, Mike Ladd, Max and Harvey – it’s a veritable trove of proud obscurity and open ear surgery. And in addition to being a timely rifle through the top and bottom drawers of the archive in a strictly tomb-raiding fashion it’s also got no shortage of rare, alternate and brand spanking (rock) tunes.
Thrills, spills and pills. Best kept secrets have seldom been this best.
YOU DON’T KNOW NINJA CUTS – RELEASED 10.03.08