Ninja Tunes

'Discreet Desires', the debut album from Helena Hauff out now on Ninja Tune, was never going to be perfect. 'Perfection doesn't really exist... only death is perfect', explains Helena. That said, you'd like to think that on your debut you'd be showcasing your best work, giving it your best shot, and at least striving for something approaching, if not perfection, at least good, passable, adequate even. 

The Ninja Tunes stable of artists is strewn with new, innovative, forward thinking, even radical, experimental acts that have a collective quality and assurance. Helena Hauff may have the talent to be included in such esteemed company but she has not released work that justifies that notion on 'Discreet Desires'.

I have no problem with someone who wants to give their sound a retro feel, someone who wants to delve into the musical archives and pilfer at will to create something new. Where I do have a problem is where the resultant product only borrows and adds nothing new. Helena is guilty of the latter. There is no contemporary twist. 'Discreet Desires' sounds, at best, like instrumental remixes of Propaganda B-sides.

Continue reading: Helena Hauff - Discreet Desires Album Review

Ninja Tunes are 20 years old and are celebrating this monumental achievement by releasing a box set containing a wealth of outstanding music and other treats, highlighting what this wonderful label has contributed to modern music. I can still remember the days of seeing the Ninja Tune logo on the first releases that epitomised cool to so many during those joyous 12' vinyl grabbing days. It was a great vision by DJs Matt Black and Jonathan More, better known as Coldcut, who saw the future of progressive music, that Ninja Tune capture so well and release independently. This family of Ninjas still rest in their homely abode in London and have offices in Los Angeles and Montreal. For me the impact of Ninja Tune is truly significant and with sub labels like Big Dada and most recently Ninja Tuna, its clear Ninja Tune is here to stay. With artists like Mr Scruff, Roots Manuva, Bonobo, Diplo, Toddla T, The Cinematic Orchestra, The Herbaliser, DJ Food, Amon Tobin, DJ Vadim, Fink, Spank Rock and most recently Andreya Triana, who could imagine a world without Ninja Tune!

Continue reading: Ninja Tune, XX Box Set Album Review

Fink
This Is The Thing
Single Review

Continue reading: Fink, This Is The Thing Single Review