Ninja Tune
Former art teacher Jonathan More and computer programmer Matt Black (Coldcut) formed the legendary Ninja Tune imprint in '93 following a trip to Japan. Since then they have wooed the world with their intoxicating blend of dark hip hop, abstract downtempo, and deep ambience. The label's artists include the
London Funk Allstars, The Herbaliser, Funki Porcini,
DJ Vadim, Up, Bustle and Out, Mr. Scruff, Kid
Koala, Chocolate Weasel, and Mixmaster Morris. Since its
inception, Ninja Tune has spawned two subsidiary labels, Ntone
and Big Dada.
Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra
Antibalas, Spanish for bulletproof (quite literally, anti-bullets), follow in the footsteps of the almighty Fela Anikulapo-Kuti with their modern Afro-beat sounds. The fourteen-plus Brooklyn-based jazz and funk ensemble is as political as it is funky.
Liberation Afro Beat Vol. 1
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2001
Talkatif
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2002
Cinematic Orchestra
Following up the much-heralded Motion with the even more ambitious Every Day, J. Swinscoe is the composer, arranger, and producer of the Cinematic Orchestra's darkly evocative, deeply soulful music, a combination of cut and paste sample techniques and live instrumental ensemble work.
Every Day
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2002
DJ Food
DJ Food is a collective of like-minded musical geniuses headed by Ninja Tune's PC and Strictly Kev. Their cut-and-paste downtempo is often imitated but rarely duplicated.
Kaleidoscope
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2000
The Herbaliser
The duo of Jake Wherry and Ollie Teeba has been turning out beat-heavy hip hop since '92 for London's finest, Ninja Tune. Is it just us, or does their music get better and better with each release?
Something Wicked This Way Comes
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2002
Kid Koala
Montreal's Kid Koala is one of the world's most innovative turtablist DJs. He mixes traditional beats and breaks with random silliness faster than you can say "thrift store record scratching phenomenon." But make no mistake: this Kid has serious skills.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
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2000
Gorillaz
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2001
Mr. Scruff
Mr. Scruff makes wibbly-wobbly breakbeat-influenced music that ranges in tempo from hip hop to drum and bass. The 30 labels he has worked with include Warp, Disorient, Cup of Tea, and Ninja Tune. All hail the scruffy one.
Keep It Unreal
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2000
Amon Tobin
Brazilian-born Amon Tobin has released music under the Cujo pseudonym for Ninebar and under his own name for Ninja Tune. Tobin brings hip hop, funk, jazz, and blues up to date with his distinct drum and bass twist.
Project Ponga
Supermodified
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2000
Up, Bustle And Out
With releases dating back to '91, Up, Bustle and Out are true pioneers of abstract hip hop and Latin-flavored groove. With the flexibility of Ninja Tune, they have been able to experiment even further into the realms of smoky backroom downtempo.
Rebel Radio
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2000
Wagon Christ
As Plug, as Wagon Christ, and under his real name, Luke Vibert pushes the envelope of electronic music. Drum and bass, downtempo, hip hop -- he's mastered them all, though he reserves the Wagon Christ guise for off-the-wall breakbeat.
Musipal
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2001
