The second Akanda remix competition - and a very special one for us.
Akanda's first incarnation (Funkungforum) was inspired by the depth of unsigned talent on the Ninjatune Forum. Ninja Tune's DIY ethic gave us the belief that we could create something from scratch that could be innovative and have practical use for budding producers worldwide. What more can be said about Matt Black and Jonathan Moore that hasn't been said already? Not only have they founded one of the most enduring independent record labels in the UK - arguably a blueprint for many of the labels we have worked with this year - Ninjatune is also a label that is constantly pushing boundries and releasing music by some of the best exponents of leftfield music anywhere in the world.
Covering jazz, hip-hop, turntablism, post-rock, electronica and folk, Ninjatune - under the guidence of Coldcut - are an irrisistable force, that shows no sign of slowing down or any hint of comprimising as they make their way to 20 years (not that long now if you think about it!).

In their own careers as musicians, they have innovated in every area they have turned their minds to. From their Solid Steel radio shows and the now seminal mix for the Journeys by a DJ series, which year in year out is still voted by the music press (and fans alike) as the best example of the DJing artform ever recorded, to the VJamm software that melds sound and vision to an inseperable degree. Not to mention their exceptional studio albums for Ninja Tune that garner praise across the industry for eclecisism, production and heartfelt attempts to tackle issues close to the duos hearts. In a world devoid of roll models coldcut are an absolute inspiration to the next generation of producers, labels, DJs, visual artists (and Akanda), if only they'd loose those dodgy hats! With so many pivitol moments and stone cold classic releases under their belt it's a duanting prospect for us to summerise a label like Ninja Tune. So, in a total and unapologetic cop out may we direct you bleow , to the only people who could explain the who, where, why and what of the label, Ninja Tune themselves....

for what it's worth, check out Chocolate Weasel - "Spagetification" the most underrated Ninja Tune LP ever released! - Adam.

Ninja Tune is an independent record label that is based in London, England (with a satellite office on Montreal for U.S/Canada business), created in 1990 by the duo known as Coldcut. Coldcut were pioneers of the emerging hip-hop/electro scene in the eighties. Inspired by a visit to Japan, Matt Black & Jonathon More (Coldcut) primarily created Ninja Tune to act as a vehicle by which they could release music of a more underground nature, free from the restraints placed on artists by major labels (the same restraints that were put on them via their brief stints with Arista and Big Life).

The first releases were heralded by the music press and afficionados simultaneously. The first four volumes of 'DJ Food - Jazz Brakes', produced by Coldcut, were comprised of instrumental hip-hop cuts, subsequently giving birth to the genre called 'trip-hop', and seen as indispensable tools for DJ's.

The label achieved a level of notoriety quickly, due to its funky style and commitment to eclecticism. Key in the labels success was the constantly growing roster of very different sounding artists.

With the musical and multi-media innovation of Black and More, the studio know-how and musical expertise of all the artists, the graphic vision of Openmind, and the sound business practices of the label managers and employees, Ninja Tune has grown into a label that prides itself on producing quality music while serving its artists in a way that no major label would.

Ninja Tune is quite simply a massive collective of passionate music listeners and collectors just putting out what they think sounds good. There is no huge calculated commercial agenda outside of our need/want to put out good records...

winner

1st - s24
You can listen to the winning remix here

Runners up

2nd - Holmes - listen here
3rd - Hugh fowler - listen here

Honourable mentions

4th - Mickey Las Palmas - listen here
5th - AIF - listen here
6th - Maus - listen here


download the sample pack here