Label Code: LC 12885
Ninja Tune is an independent record label that is based in London, England (with a satellite office in Los Angeles for U.S/Canada business), created in 1990 by the duo known as Coldcut. Coldcut were pioneers of the emerging hip-hop/electro scene in the eighties. Inspired by a visit to Japan, Matt Black & Jonathan More (Coldcut) primarily created Ninja Tune to act as a vehicle by which they could release music of a more underground nature, free from the restraints placed on artists by major labels (the same restraints that were put on them via their brief stints with Arista and Big Life).
The first four volumes of 'DJ Food - Jazz Brakes', produced by Coldcut, were comprised of instrumental hip-hop cuts. Key in the label's success was the constantly growing roster of very different sounding artists.
With the musical and multi-media innovation of Black and More, the studio know-how and musical expertise of all the artists, the graphic vision of Openmind, and the sound business practices of the label managers and employees, Ninja Tune has grown into a label that prides itself on producing quality music while serving its artists in a way that no major label would.
I've been holding out hope for so long that Ninja would rebound back to making great stuff again. BCNR to me was a breath of fresh air and gave me hope for the future, but honestly, other then the legacy artists like Bonobo and Actress (who is rumored to be leaving), the label has pretty much sold out. There is literally nothing separating NT from any other generic EDM or contemporary house label. At least with labels like Warp and Planet Mu, they changed their style but continued to put out great stuff, where as I no longer follow new NT releases like those labels. Its so over and its never coming back. Goodbye NT, it was fun while it lasted, at least we have Brainfeeder.
Like others have said, a once genuinely groundbreaking label that has been releasing nondescript "Electronic Dance Music" for years now. Ninja should have stuck doing jazzy downtempo breaks and the likes, which they excelled at, rather than sheepishly following the latest trends.
When Ninja Tune started to change their face with their Ninja Tune XX box I was like "Well, they can't do NuJazz for the rest of their time. They have to evolve and try something new." So I stayed curious. But listening to them now is not what I expected to happen. Ninja Tune became commercial radio. Apart from the statistically expected exceptions there is hardly any distinction. Even their sublabels are nothing more than mediocre (at best). This strategy might have saved them financially to be fair. But, well... I wish there would have been alternative paths to stroll along. I mean, even Amon Tobin has left the ship now!
Seems like most stuff released on Ninja Tune these days is mediocre to poor. Even from established artists that are in their prime like Max Graef, and i recently heard sample from Bicep´s track "Aura" from their forthcoming LP due to release in September. Pretty crap in my opinion. Whenever i see Ninja Tune releases these days, i swiftly avoid them.. Once a glorious label, today a flawed tarnished gem and a embarrassment..
Since Matt Black & Jonathan More gave the label scepter to some other guys, the label is dying away more and more! So sad, was one of my favorite lebels... Instead of superb releases like the early Bonobo stuff, Cinematic Orchestra, Amon Tobin or Wagon Christ and countless other talented fresh people like Homelife or Super Numeri, we nowadays just get a lot of crap in my opinion. When they began to release rubbish like Zero DB, the Quemist and the Bug in 2006, it was the beginning of the end for me. And look at the label today!? Is there only one good, talented new artist on the label (except the residents like Tobin ect.)? Clearly NOPE! Really sad to see sush a good label going pop shit.
Nobody will even talk about the label in 5 years! Or dose somebody today? Bye Ninja!
Ninjitsu-ass-kickin' stuff from one of the most solid, original and just plain brilliant labels ever! I have never heard of a bad tune from any one of their releases. Big beats, blarin' bass and twisted tunes! When I see the Ninja Tune label I buy it! No foolin' round!
Quality artists releasing quality work - not because they're out to make a fast buck or get their cute mug/arse splashed all over the media, but because there's a real passion for doing something different, groundbreaking. Why can't all labels be like Ninja?
My opinion is that Ninja used to be a great label . Jazz Breaks series are exceptional. Unfortunately the recent releases (with the exception of Mr.Tobin and Wagon Christ) recycle the same Ideas.
mrsunderground
May 12, 2023