NINJA TUNE
Aug 1, 2003 12:00 PM
Style: “Electronic, hip-hop, jazz, funk, soul and some other shit we dig,” says Jeff Waye, Ninja Tune label manager for the U.S. and Canada office.
Established: In 1990, by Jon More and Matt Black (better known as Coldcut) in London.
Artists: Antibalas, Bonobo, Cinematic Orchestra, Coldcut, DJ Food, DJ Vadim, Fog, Herbaliser, Kid Koala, New Flesh, Roots Manuva, Amon Tobin and many more.
Essential Listening: DJ Food, Refried Food (1996); Coldcut, Let Us Play! (1997); Herbaliser, Blow Your Headphones (1997); Amon Tobin, Permutation (1998); Kid Koala, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (2000); Roots Manuva, Run Come Save Me (2001); Cinematic Orchestra, Every Day (2002); Fog, Ether Teeth (2003); Majesticons, Beauty Party (2003)
Manifesto: “Ninja Tune is strictly independent and not particularly interested in being involved in the music industry in the way that the public perceives the music industry,” Waye says. “We're constantly laying low, just underneath big — and perfectly happy being there.”
A&R Philosophy: “The music direction is determined by a lot of people working at the label,” Waye continues. “We all have good taste and bad taste, so, collectively, if we all agree on something, it keeps our bad taste out of the mix. It's really simple: If we like it and we have room in the schedule, we'll put it out. We sign strictly on musical merit. It also helps if the artists have demonstrated some initiative in putting out some of their own releases or generally can show that they understand what they need to do to help us get the record out there, such as touring and press commitments. We accept demos but can't promise that we'll reply to each submission. If we don't reply, it doesn't always mean we didn't like it.”
Upcoming: New albums from Big Jus/NMS, Woe to Thee O Land When Thy King Is a Child; Bonobo, Dial M for Monkey; Kid Koala, Some of My Best Friends Are DJs; and King Gheedorah, Take Me to Your Leader.
Contact: Ninja Tune; 222 Dominion St., #20, Montreal, PQ H3J 2X1; e-mail ninja.na@ninjatune.net; Web www.ninjatune.net
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