Distractionz...

Right. Back from work. Sitting on the edge of my bed. Just considering what to put into MY FIRST POST FOR ALMOST A MONTH! Bwoy, time flies! I hope everyone is well, and not getting too stressed with London life or indeed, wherever may you may be. The reasons for my prolonged absence? Exploring other musical avenues, enjoying the company of someone new, seeing my people and generally not doing this! I did wonder for a while whether I had run out of interesting things to say but I'm back now, and it feels good to be writing again.

So, I kinda failed with the 'One post everyday for a week'. Miserably. That week got waay busy. The posts will definitely be more regular after this point.

So, what topics to cover now? Firstly, the music (of course!). The last month has seen some really nice gigs, including a full on 'Team Session' down @ Plastic People along with (dare I say it) our newest collaborator...Cengiz (him again!) . We were checking out Gilles Peterson down there, first time I've heard him play since Sunsplash! A really nice gig, even better to be there with 'La Familia'.

Got lots of new tunes as well, the most important of which is the 'Ninja Tune XX' LP. Spread across 4 cds (couldn't find the bloody vinyl!), it's amazing. Amongst the artists on the LP are Bonobo, Seiji, Toddla T, Coldcut, Cinematic Orchestra, Mr Scruff, Roots Manuva, Andreya Triana, Miss Dynamite, Speech Debelle and shitloads more to be honest.

For those of you who have never heard of Ninja Tune, or indeed Coldcut, in the words of O.C, one of my all-time favourite rappers, 'lemme give you a brief bio...'.

The group, Coldcut consists of two people, Jonathan More and Matt Black and they hold a very special place in both my heart and musical history. The first thing you need to know about them, is that they've been around for a very, very long time, and you've probably heard or bought music by them, but like Keyser Sose, you just didn't know it!

The first single I ever bought was 'Doctorin' The House' (1988) featuring a then unheard of singer by the name of Yazz (from 'The Only Way Is Up' fame. They also produced that). I clearly remember dragging my mother down to the Woolworths on Kingsbury High Road (w'sup North Weezy!) in order to get it. Probably my first record shopping trip! Anyway, a few months later I saw a compilation with that same song on it. I bought that, and discovered...Hip-Hop. Specifically, 'Paid In Full' by Eric B and Rakim (their 'Seven Minutes Of Madness Mix' is probably the one people have heard the most).

A few years later, they were back with another single, 'People Hold On', featuring a then unheard of singer by the name of Lisa Stanfield (you music heads should be recognising a theme about now...).

Anyway, getting back on track. Coldcut have been creating, shaping and influencing this leftfield/alternative/miles-from-the-mainstream style music and culture since then...

...Through their record label Ninja Tune. Created in 1993, it's second to none as an independently minded base for a huge number of artists such as DJ Food, The Herbaliser, DJ Vadim Mr. Scruff and Fink...Toddla T, The Cinematic Orchestra and Andreya Triana...you get the picutre. The concept of the ninja, moving and operating behind the scenes and with stealth suits them perfectly. Most people would say that they've never heard of them but play them a couple of tracks from albums such as 'Trouser Jazz' by Mr. Scruff or 'Run Come Save Me' Roots Manuva and they'd soon get the picture. Seriously, check out their logo. It has always been this symbol. They may have adapted it in many ways, but there is always the image of the ninja. It's like the best T-shirt you never had.

(Fuck M&S or Sainsbury's here's a brand that I know and trust!)

...Through their legendary 'Solid Steel' radio shows that started out on KISS 100fm back in the 90's and is still running now... on a personal level, hearing them on KISS was very much a learning experience where I realised that (a) there was so much more potential in DJing than what I was doing at that time (mixing records together, badly) and that (b) I had a lot more to learn about music. I still have the tape of the first Solid Steel show I ever heard (used to be on 1am - 3am on a Saturday night). It features music by DJ Crystl, James Brown and The Mad Professor just to name a few...a trippy spaced-out mix of genres, a definite case of organised confusion.

...and most importantly, through their own vast back catalogue of tracks, albums remixes and productions.

I've been a huge admirer of the way the do things for so long. If you're British and into music in any way, you should proud (and thankful!) that guys like this are around and still working hard. Coldcut, I salute you.

Next up, 1HM pt. 4, which will feature a few Coldcut-related gems, old and new.

Easy.

Lebz.