CLUBS

Another week, another anniversary. This time it’s Ninja Tune blowing out the candles. Adam Anonymous joins the party.

For its many followers, Ninja Tune needs little introduction. Ever since ‘Zen Brakes Vol 1’ hit the shelves under founders Coldcut’s alias Bogus Order in September 1990, the label has come to represent a kite-mark of quality for forward-thinking beat-craft, spawning subsidiaries Big Dada and Counter en route.

Two decades ago, ensconced in three cramped rooms of a London studio, Coldcut – aka Jonathan More and Matt Black – probably didn’t imagine celebrating their then-fledgling label’s 20th anniversary with global gigs. But that is precisely what has busied the duo throughout 2010. The latest commemorative Ninja Tune XX night lands in Bristol as one of In:Motion’s flagship parties.

“I’d have said ‘I’m too busy thinking how to blow people’s minds with the next track to worry about what will happen in 20 years’,” Black reflects down the line from their current base in South London, when quizzed if he ever imagined making it this far.

“Strength in individuality,” is how More describes the Ninja aesthetic. “Bonobo, The Bug, Kid Koala, Mr Scruff: they’re all very much themselves. The music they make is based in hip-hop, electronica – dance music – but always slightly skewed. I think of Ninja as a London label but we’ve tried consciously not to become tied down.”

That’s certainly reflected in the international line-up at Motion: Coldcut headline, joined by Ninja representation from avant-dancehall dude The Bug, an AV set from label art whiz DJ Food & DK, grime rhymer Jammer, Russian-born producer/spinner DJ Vadim, Brighton drum & bass crew The Qemists and dark dubstepper King Cannibal. Beastie Boys turntablist Mix Master Mike and Coldcut’s kindred spirit Steinski, plus long-time Bristolian Ninja associates Cheeba and the DOP Allstars, complete a heaving bill.

However, while anniversary festivities continue apace – including recently released retrospective book ‘20 Years Of Beats & Pieces’ and “futurespective” music box set Ninja Tune XX – Coldcut are already formulating their next record. Albeit slowly.

“It’s not easy being Coldcut,” jokes More. “We’re getting there though. We’ve always produced our albums ourselves, but this is exciting because for the first time we’re working with a producer, Switch [aka Solid Groove/Dave Taylor].”

Amongst all that, Coldcut have scarcely had time to look back at Ninja Tune’s morality-driven achievements. “We always had confidence that if we acted from good intentions, concentrated on the music and were fair, then we would probably do OK,” Black concludes modestly. “That’s panned out pretty well, I reckon.” 

NINJA TUNE XX WAS AT MOTION, BRISTOL ON SAT 13 NOV.

Copyright Adam Anonymous 2010

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