This week's Ninja Tune XX giveaway comes courtesy of a true Ninja legend, and one of our most charismatic, multi-faceted artists. Mr. Scruff released his first record on Ninja Tune way back in 1998, going on to create one of the label's all time most successful albums - 'Keep It Unreal' - the following year. He'd been making music and mixing records for years previously however, as demonstrated by side one of this ultra-rare mixtape from 1992. Originally limited to a mere 20 copies, and sold in Manchester's Funky Banana record shop, it hasn't been available anywhere since. Unless you're one of the 20 prescient people who bought it originally, this MP3 is truly a hidden treasure. Side two will remain so, at least for now!
The mix reveals Scruff's early passion for hip-hop, and takes in tracks from A Tribe Called Quest, Del Tha Funkee Homosapien, Main Source, Digable Planets, Organised Konfusion and many more of rap music's innovators. Add in a touch of jazz in the form of Art Blakey and Charles Mingus, and you have the origins of the sound that Mr. Scruff made all his own.
Fans will already know that alongside his music, Mr. Scruff's idiosyncratic, instantly recognisable visual art has become as much of a trademark as his sound. Included in the download is the original artwork for the mixtape, featuring early versions of the characters now featured on everything from umbrellas to tins of fair-trade tea.
Mr Scruff will be hosting a room at the Ninja Tune XX party at London Ewer Street, and playing various other shows around the world. There will also be two new songs on the Ninja Tune XX compilation (one on 7" vinyl only).
'A Town Called Obsolete' is an obliquely upbeat and heartfelt plea for patience and faith in the face of indifference. Triana’s voice is perfect for this mixture of longing and hope, smokey, beautiful and tonally perfect. Bonobo, meanwhile, hooks up dusty break-drumming, thrumming electric bass and a horn part that peaks at just the right times.
Remix duties are taken care of by the hotly-tipped Mount Kimbie. Labelmates of Joy Orbison on Hotflush Records, the duo string Andreya’s backing vox over melancholy pads like Christmas lights round the screen of a lovelorn mainframe. Computer-soul never sounded so melancholy.
The package is rounded out by a live recording of Andreya performing 'A Town Called Obsolete' at Worldwide Awards 2010 at The Garage, London on 6th February. Her band that night featured Bonobo on bass and Fink on guitar!
01 A Town Called Obsolete (Album Version) 02 A Town Called Obsolete (Radio Edit) 03 A Town Called Obsolete (Mount Kimbie Remix) 04 A Town Called Obsolete (Live)
12.07.10Listen to The Heavy on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic today!
The Heavy is the guest today on Los Angeles radio station KCRW's show Morning Becomes Eclectic! Stream live audio and video at KCRW. What host Jason Bentley has to say:
"Get ready for a blazing hot session with The Heavy as they tear through a fiery set of blues and funk-tinged tracks with a nod to their British rock roots on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am."
26.04.10Vote for The Heavy, one of MTV Iggy's Top 25 New Bands In The World!
MTV Iggy has made their (very subjective) list as what THEY see as the top 25 Best New Bands in the World, and The Heavy has (rightfully) made that list! You can vote as many times as you like between now and May 24, 2010 at 9:59:59 AM (ET)!
22.04.10Get The Heavy's THE HOUSE THAT DIRT BUILT for $2.99!
For today, 4/22, Amazon has The Heavy's chart-topping record The House That Dirt Built on sale for $2.99! Click here and get the record featuring the smash hit "How You Like Me Now" from the Kia Sorento ad (yup, the one with the sock monkey) and that memorable Late Show with David Letterman performance (yeah, the one with the encore).
19.01.10The Heavy Live on Letterman!
Watch The Heavy perform 'How You Like Me Now?' live on the Late Show With David Letterman last night! Click Here for all of the magic, including an unprecedented "encore" request from Dave himself!
