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
Ninja Tune XX - Week XVII - The Cinematic Orchestra
This week's tracks come from one of the most important acts on Ninja Tune - the peerless Cinematic Orchestra. We're giving away two previously unheard tracks recorded in 2002 for a proposed Cinematic Orchestra radio show that was never broadcast:
'Time & Space (Radio Session 13th May 2002)' - a radically different early version of the epic tune on Ma Fleur featuring Leonard Nimoy samples.
'Brother/The Revolution (Radio Session 13th May 2002)' - a tune built around samples from the classic Gil Scott Heron track.
The Cinematic Orchestra have re-worked Lou Rhodes' 'One Good Thing' for the XX releases and there is also a previously unreleased track exclusive to the XX Boxset.
30.07.10Vote for Roots Manuva to Win Steve Lamacq's Rebel Playlist
Having played our part in saving 6Music (chaining ourselves to random railings, going on cake-strike for an hour etc etc) it's payback time. Only we kind of need you to do the paying back for us.
The new Roots Manuva meets Wrongtom single, "Jah Warriors" (featuring the mellifluous tones of Ricky Ranking) is on Steve Lamacq's Rebel Playlist this week, which means if enough of us vote, "Jah Warriors" will be pumped out to the discerning masses every day for a week and all that good stuff. You see, we can make a difference! It's an exercise in democracy! Ooh, I'm getting tired even thinking about it. Maybe I'll just lie down here and eat a deep-fried Mars Bar...
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.
22.07.10The Herbaliser & Anti-Pop Consortium Live at Koko, London - Saturday
NYC's finest future-rap collective, Anti-Pop Consortium, are back in the UK this weekend to play the excellent Koko. The good folk at Soundcrash are putting on the show, and The Herbaliser are on the bill too.
The show is on Saturday 24th July, 9.00pm until 3.00am, and the venue is located at 1a Camden High Street. Tickets here.
