"Don't be fooled by me, my surface is my mask. Don't be fooled by the face I wear, for I wear a thousand masks... and none of them are me."

This sample closes the mix and it sums up the label as I see it perfectly whilst referencing the Ninja of folklore that it takes it's name from. One of the reasons for this compilation is to give the public at large an overview of the label and it's current roster in 2008. Of course the hardcore fans know what's going on but to many casual listeners Ninja is still a by-word for blunted downtempo 'trip hop' or smokey jazz beats. While they still have their place, look behind this mask and you'll hear that that is far from their current spot on the musical map.

There are now so many different artists on the label as well as it's sister labels, Big Dada and Counter, that it is impossible to sum it all up in one musical category. This has always been the case but it can also be problematic - people like categories - and why not? They're useful, they define our world, making it easier to organise and describe the everyday. But with artists this diverse, from countries all over the world, each with their own agenda, categories are redundant. So what better than to round them all up and make our own one-off category called 'Ninja Cuts: You Don't Know' to show them off?

This compilation is long overdue, the last one was way back in 2000 and the only label overview since has been 2006's Zen TV which was more of a retrospective look back than a current mission statement. There's still the Hip Hop, Jazz, Turntablism and Electronica the label became know for. But It's time to see what's behind the Ninja mask NOW - you'll hear drum n bass, folk, dubstep, glam rock, techno and a thousand other styles, none of which sum up the label completely.

Strictly Kev - February 2008.