Amon Tobin 'Esther's' Video Premier & Ninja Tune XX Giveaway Week XVIII
Amon Tobin is a long standing Ninja Tune artist with an unbelievable creative output over the course of 15+ years, whose imprint on electronic music is everywhere. His work has influenced a range of genres almost as diverse as his own influences, and as a result has become one of Ninja Tune's most influential and consistent artists.
This week's giveaway comes in the form of a premier of one of the most exciting videos on Ninja Tune to date. Up-and-coming Belgian director Charles De Meyer (aka Chuck Eklectric) became obsessed with 'Esther's', which appeared on Amon’s full-length album Foley Room released in 2007, and decided to create a fan video. Think invasion of the robots with a romantic twist. Amon loved it, and helmed the sound design. We were so impressed that we've made it an official video, and it's now here, in an iphone compatible format, to download for free.
As an added extra, we are also offering a 320 mp3 of 'Shut Down', highlighting one of the amazing Monthly Joints available on a special limited-edition picture disc package available at Amontobin.com.
Amon's webstore re-launches today to offer everything from back catalogue to ringtones, special compositions, and other choice goodies.
Amon has provided a brand new track for the Ninja XX compilation, which also features new, exclusive remixes of his tracks by Kronos Quartet and King Cannibal.
And yea it came to pass that Big Dada and The Banana Klan did release 'Duppy Writer' and yea, it was f**king wonderful... Picking up great reviews all over the shop, full of fun, perfect for trying to catch the last of summer with, we think that anyone who has ever liked a bit of Roots Manuva is going to love this. Far be it from us to advocate the use of illegal drugs, but get some smoke in, crank up the system and feel the magic.
iTunes have a special bonus track 'Rebel Art' (not available anywhere else).
Early CD or LP orders from Ninjashop will get a free poster signed by Roots Manuva himself.
Press for Duppy Writer:
"A heady concoction that pulsates with good vibes" - Dazed & Confused
"Irresistible... approachable yet with real substance... Outstanding" - Q
"The sounds here always convince... Roots Manuva's deft, already reggae-leaning rhyming achieves a perfect fit with Wrongtom's bang-on use of rhythm, bass and sound effects." - Mojo
"Revives memories of Brixton during the era of Aswad and riots while never being content to just pastiche the originals. The result is Roots Manuva's most purely pleasurable long-player" - Uncut
"The results are a revelation... a timeless joy" - Time Out
26.07.10Toddla T 'Sky Surfing' feat. Wayne Marshall
Video for Toddla T 'Sky Surfing' feat. Wayne Marshall. Probably the craziest video in the land right now!
'Sky Surfing' remixes EP out 31 August 2010 on 12" vinyl & download - includes remixes from Benga and Douster.
Video directed by Ollie Evans and produced by The Knocking Shop theknockingshop.tv
23.07.10Introducing: Jono McCleery
"It's like Richie Havens meets Joni Mitchell meets Holy F**k!" – Fink Please welcome new Ninja signing Jono McCleery, a man whose voice has been compared – with good reason – to the likes of John Martyn, Nick Drake and Jeff Buckley. McCleery self-produced and self-released his first album in 2008, the funding coming from donations from his fans, including such high profile names as Vashti Bunyan (who will appear on the forthcoming album) and BBC radio DJs Tom Robinson and Fiona Talkington. Whilst legendary folk-rock/jazz bassist Danny Thompson is a vocal supporter of Jono. For his new record he has collaborated throughout with electronic producer Fybe, and arranger, Matt Kelly.
The first fruits of this collaboration can be heard on 'Tomorrow', where Jono’s sumptuous voice is run up against plucked classical guitar and double bass (which he also plays), harp, strings and the subtlest of programmed percussion. The balance between the organic and the digital is pitch perfect, effortlessly maintained. It reveals McCleery to be not merely in possession of a great voice, but a great talent as a songwriter and musician. The impression is reinforced by “Alive Again,” a song of understated yearning that sucks you into its world and holds you there until its last, fading notes.
It’s not really Jono’s way to shout about how great he is; he just focuses on making quality music, full of real soul and commitment.
22.07.10Toddla T 'Sky Surfing' Video Premier on NME.com
The story of a super hero who isn't quite up to the usual level.
'Sky Surfing' EP is released on Ninja Tune on 30 August with remixes from Douster and Benga. The Douster remix is available as a free download on Mad Decent and the original track is for sale on iTunes UK now.
19.07.10Unearth the hidden Grasscut artefact . . .
Read closely to find the treasure . . .Grasscut's debut album '1 Inch / 1/2 Mile' is out now worldwide on CD & download.CD owners will find a special map in the inner sleeve detailing a walk through the lost Sussex village of Balsdean - a PDF version is available for download here or you can view the walk on Google Maps.
The final stop on the map points to a secret album track 'A Lost Village', written specifically about the valley where the walk takes place, and the village that once was there. Listen closely to 'A Lost Village' (free download here) you'll hear clues to the whereabouts of a unique artefact that Grasscut have made & hid. Amongst other things it contains a cassette tape of new track that will never be released.
Grasscut are also releasing a series of Twitter clues as to its whereabouts and here's the latest:
Sonnet XLI, The Wryneck's Nest, by John Clare, line 7 Follow Grasscut on Twitter & Facebook to receive the rest.
If you guess the location of the treasure or even better, find it, then we want to hear from you! Email Ninja Tune a photo and you will be rewarded handsomely . . .