2008 PROJECTS : 2007 PROJECTS : 2006 PROJECTS : 2005 PROJECTS :

VARIOUS ARTISTS
YOU DON'T KNOW
CD
UPCOMING

You know Ninja Tune and everything about them and exactly the type of music they put out and why and it's, y'know, cool and everything but... Well, you don't. The latest "Ninja Cuts" is number five in a series of classic compilations which have studded Ninja's 18 years of existence. And, like its predecessors, "You Don't Know" serves as a signpost of both where the label has come from and where it's heading. Although there are tracks on this three CD package dating back as far as 1998 (Mike Ladd's rare classic "Blah Blah") there are also 9 unreleased tracks (from some of Ninja Tune's biggest acts like Mr Scruff, Cinematic Orchestra, Coldcut and others), some from albums which won't be released until later in the year (John Matthias’ fragile, ethereal "Evermore" leaps to mind, or Pop Levi's superb, princely "Dita Dimone"). It's fair to say most of this compilation contains rare, alternate and brand new tracks. More than anything else, what "You Don’t Know" shows is the breadth of Ninja's releases, the sheer ambition and diversity of the music being put out through the imprints of Ninja Tune, Big Dada and Counter. Where to start? Anyone who thinks they know what to expect from a Ninja Tune compilation is advised to head straight for CD2, track 16, where Baltimore's The Death Set deliver electro-pop-punk of pure brattish joyfulness. Or the Bug's "Poison Dart" – harsh dubstep dancehall that's had FWD bubbling for the last few months. Or check DJ Kentaro's riotous collaboration with Spank Rock, "Free". Or the fuzzyfelt-bahia of Long Lost's "The Art of Kissing", a folk project by Daedelus. Or the blissful quiescent power of Jaga's "Swedenborgske Rom". Or Fink's "Pretty Little Thing". Or... Some other names you will be expecting. Roots Manuva offers up a couple of rarities on the utterly ill "Seat Yourself" and a version of "Chin High" that's more Joy Division than J Dilla. The Cinematic Orchestra turn up with the radio version of their scintillating "To Build A Home" plus a new track "Rites of Spring" recorded live at the Barbican in London and a fantastic remix from Susumu Yokota. One of the UK's greatest musical mavericks and pioneer of grime Wiley is on board. Ninja founders Coldcut give early versions and re-rubs from 2006's "Sound Mirrors" album. Kid Koala destroys the music business single-handed (double-handed?) on "Slew Test 2". Mr Scruff and Quantic go riding and take us on a bumpy "Donkey Ride", a brand new track. An unavailable track "Epistemology Suite" by Diplo from a very early deleted 12" is present, Then there's a heap of remixers and contributors that run from Modeselektor, DJ Shadow, Tiga, RJD2 and the mighty Switch. But even that doesn't get close. The list goes on. The best thing to do is to stop reading, put the paper down, press play and just listen.
 
AU
VERBS
CD
UPCOMING
Everyone will be able to enjoy the latest sonic feast from Luke Wyland and the kids, the new Au album "Verbs", on June 26th, 2008. But for now, check out the album cover, which features the amazing artwork of Chie Fueki, and the first single off the album, "RR vs D" Pitchfork and Stereogum are already on board for this one kids!
   
BLACK FORTRESS OF OPIUM
[self-titled]
CD
2008
The project is named for the English translation of a town in Turkey where opium fields abound. Luscious, genre-varied songs make up this gorgeous album. An array of exotic instruments (mandolin, banjo, electric sitar, theremin, melodica) find their place in such divergent songs as the Texas-cafe flavored love song "Model Cafe," the shadowy Poe-like "House of Edward Devotion," and dark ballad tour de force "Ari" (about Warhol icon Nico). "Your Past" is a stirring mixed tempo rocker that, like most of these songs, is filled with strong emotions and honest lyrics, most with a dark side, perfectly expressed by Ajda the Turkish Queen's rich, captivating voice. Produced by Martin Bisi (Sonic Youth, Zorn, Eno, Swans). All clean.
   
ALICE COHEN
SKY FLOWERS
CD
2008
Alice Cohen has a long pop music history and bona fide pedigree, going from an 80s MTV pop songster in the Vels to East Coast punk/pop icon in Die Monster Die. Her vast talent and sparkling creativity have been expressed in other solo projects and in session work over time, including appearing in a Scorsese film (Grace of My Heart). Her 2001 project Espadrille was loaded with addictive loud guitar hooks and, by contrast, her new work is laden with clever electro-new wave references. Whatever the song framework, Cohen's songwriting is catchier than the flu in springtime, and her lilting, versatile, sweet voice is so delicious you'd think you grew taste buds in your ears. All tracks are winners, but start with 1, 2 and 4. All clean.
   
MARTIN BISI
SIRENS OF THE APOCALYPSE
CD
2008
Martin Bisi, performer/songwriter and prominent indie fringe record producer, returns to the realm of his personal recordings with Sirens of the Apocalypse - twelve songs that emanated from his legendary recording lair in Brooklyn over the last seven years. Bisi has been at the forefront of studio recording since 1981, with a long discography that stretches from Iggy Pop, The Ramones and White Zombie to John Zorn, Herbie Hancock and Sonic Youth. On Sirens of the Apocalypse, his 4th full-length solo rendering since '89, he expands 4 piece rock into a mutant, experimental-pop concoction. The record is a personal document of Martin Bisi's life, times and on-going creative process: backup vocals whispered into 8-track recorders in the corners of airport terminals; guitar overdubs in crowded college youth hostels; lyrics written during breaks in other artists' sessions; and a spoken story of a crazy late-night encounter in a Brooklyn bar. The production - or anti-production - is reminiscent of Bisi's chaotic but beautiful early Sonic Youth recordings. "Goth Chick '98", which also has a video embedded in the CD, has a dark cabaret feel, and comments on the cabaret/circus punk scene of The Dresden Dolls, Barbez and Beat Circus, that Bisi has shared an orbit with since the late 90's. "Buddhist Girl" has a massive "Don't Fear The Reaper" style shoegaze, Krishna cult feeling, with electric sitar, tablas, djimbes and bells. Other songs veer between moody ("Felicity Ann McGuire"), psychedelic ("Buddhist Girl", "Mary Maudlin"), poppy ("Parsippany, NJ"), "indie-rock" (title track "Sirens Of The Apocalypse") and harder rock ("Rock Mona Lisa", "My American Way"). Multiple female characters, dwelling in our epic times, inspired the album's artwork and title, Sirens of the Apocalypse. Lyrically, the songs are vignettes of love, obsession and the jungle of gender interactions. "Mary Maudlin" is about a short lived crush at a mall, and is a word play on Mary Magdalene, a muze both saintly and sluttishly profane. "Buddhist Girl" was inspired by the high-maintenance women at a pricey yoga center. "Felicity Ann McGuire", written during the recording of the first Dresden Dolls record, is about a girl living in a Cocteau/Sherwood Forest-like dream, and was inspired by the freakish, vine covered building in Boston that was the Dolls' home base.
VARIOUS
WELL DEEP
CD
2007
"The very best underground hip hop label" - Observer Music Monthly "The most progressive British hip hop label ever" - The Fader Big Dada, home of some of the most maverick, innovative artists in hip hop and beyond turns 10! Well Deep is not so much a 'best of' as an overview of the label's history and philosophy. The label started when Will Ashon approached Peter Quicke (boss of Ninja) suggesting a hip hop label to run alongside but independently of Ninja. Heavily influenced by the underground hip hop scenes of LA and NYC in the early/mid-90s, Ashon envisaged the label as a home for musical misfits & pioneers who were more interested in producing something worthwhile than necessarily having a hit. Profanity disc 1: trk3, 7, 8, 11, 13; disc 2: 6, 8, 9, 14, 15.
 
H.E.R.
SONGS ABOUT THE MYSTERIES OF HOUSEWORK AND NATURE
CD
2007
Yvette Perez plays keyboards and sings while trombonist Peter Zummo rambles through a thicket of electronic ambience in an experiment of memory and obsession on this beautiful and haunting album, telling stories about the conflicts of domestic habits with the outer world. Prior to her involvement in the Williamsburg indie music scene Perez played in Western Mass bands during the 90s, while studying with Yusef Lateef and Roger Reynolds. As part of Phil Niblock¹s minimalist crew, Peter Zummo is a versatile downtown figure who has worked with too many to name, but most notably, Arthur Russell, with whom he helped define "avant-disco", pianist "Blue" Gene Tyranny, and the legendary Teo Macero. All clean.
 
JUNI JARVI
WHEREEVER THOU ART
CD
2007
Mikael Bengtsson, the man behind Juni Järvi, was born in Stockholm, Sweden (with a Swede/Finnish heritage) studied at the Stockholm Music Conservatory, where he was a fan of serious dark metal, and even formed a Doom Metal band... which is not uncommon for someone from Sweden or Finland. Neither is it that uncommon for someone from northern Europe to be a devotee of sweet, gentle Scandi-pop. You just don't expect someone who formed a Doom Metal band to be making such gorgeous, luscious pop music. Juni Järvi, known as Juniper in another incarnation, could list as influences the likes of Elliott Smith, Belle and Sebastian, and the work of Stephin Merritt/Magnetic Fields. This debut stands out as a pop gem in Scandi-pop scene. All clean.
 
THE DRAGONS
BFI
CD
2007
In the late 60s brothers Doug, Daryl and Dennis Dragon, sons of sons of a symphony conductor and an opera singer, record a psychedelic soul/rock masterpiece that was apparently a bit before it's time. The majors at the time didn't hear a "hit", so the LP was shelved. They all end up working in the Beach Boys' backing band, Doug moves to Hawaii, tours Australia, Dennis becomes a successful record producer, & Daryl (The Captain) hooks up with Toni Tennille. 37 years later Strictly Kev/DJ Food discovers a Dragons track on a surf soundtrack while crate digging, was turned on, and, long story short, he helped the band FINALLY bring out this lost classic of psych-whimsy, West Coast sexiness and serious musical chops. All clean.
 
SIXTOO
JACKALS AND VIPERS IN ENVY OF MAN
CD
2007
This is the 2nd LP for Sixtoo on Ninja, who has releases on Anticon, Mush, Vertical Form, Endemik, Bully & 6 Months. Though Sixtoo has mad skills as an MC, this LP is solely a reflection of his studio prowess. He's done production work for Sage Francis on his Anticon and Epitaph releases as well as soundtrack work for the film NEXT: A Primer on Urban Painting, released a collaborative project with Norsola (Godspeed! You Black Emperor), helmed graphic design for indie beats label Bully, composed a mini CD with an artbook by prolific graffiti artist Other, & transformed himself into alter ego Six Vicious, & his project with Hadji Bakara from Wolf Parade, Megasoid, has been tearing up club sound systems & leaving them for dead. All clean instrumentals.
   
WAITIKI
RENDEZVOUS IN OKONKULUKU
CD
2007
Waitiki (pronounced "why-TEE-kee") is a Boston-based touring band playing "Exotic Tiki Entertainment from Polynesia and Beyond" like nobody else can! In a word, they can be described as "Exotica" - a style of music loosely defined as a mixture of jazz, Latin, and contemporary Asian sounds under a tropical umbrella - also sometimes referred to as "tiki", jungle tiki, lounge, or space-age-bachelor-pad music. They're one of only a handful of bands in the world performing Exotica live. Obvious influences and touchstones include Martin Denny, Arthur Lyman, Les Baxter and Juan Garcia Esquivel. This is THE year-round soundtrack to your South Pacific dream island... Also available on vinyl. All clean.
   
WILEY
PLAYTIME IS OVER
CD
2007
Wiley, the pioneer, the founding father, the maverick, the relentless innovator, releases his brand new (and possibly last) LP - a blazing return to the experimental crucible of the East London music known as grime. It offers everything that is most brutal, cutting edge, funny, clever, terrifying and moving about the sound and the world which created it. Over the course of 15 tracks, Wiley boasts of his pre-eminence, tells stories of his life and background, reveals a sensitive side that won¹t surprise anyone who has met him, bigs up Bow and, in general, splatters his life and thoughts and feelings over beats in a way which hasn¹t been bettered in the short but incident-packed history of a scene whose mainstream acceptance is barely five years old. Profanity check: trk1, 5, 7, 14, 16.
   
BLOCKHEAD
UNCLE TONY'S COLORING BOOK
CD
2007
A key figure on the indie hip hop scene, Blockhead has helped propel MC talents such as Aesop Rock, Cage, Slug, Murs, etc., with his tough instrumentals, inspiring the lyrical weight of such hip hop heavies. He approached Ninja Tune with a killer demo which became his debut LP, Music By Cavelight, followed with a 2nd Ninja LP, Downtown Science, and slew of production credits - most notably his work on the Aesop Rock LP, None Shall Pass (Def Jux). To coincide with that release and tour, Blockhead has self-release his latest collection, Uncle Tony's Coloring Book. An upbeat array of fun instrumentals with the trademark Blockhead production style, tough beats & catchy grooves that have infected his earlier releases. Break out the crayons! All clean.