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Album Review: V/A - ZEN CD (Ninja Tune)
Reviewer: Monica Runke
This major anthology of the last 12 years from the Ninja Tune big guns drops and rocks the beats and
parties like it’s 2004. The big names, the big tunes, and a whole ‘nother double CD of the remixes. Hours of class
entertainment from the Ninja family, who have something for everyone and cannot disappoint. Featuring the likes of DJ
Food, Coldcut, The Herbaliser, Amon Tobin, and Kid Koala, this is an essential compilation, featuring 32 tunes on 2 CDs and also available as a triple vinyl
LP, perfect for the DJs out there.
There won’t be many people who haven’t heard at least some of the tunes like Get A Move On by Mr. Scruff or
the superb Channel 1 Suite from the Cinematic Orchestra and can take this opportunity to explore the rich
Ninja Tune seam.
The warm and bouncy bassline of Dark Lady (DJ Food) sets a steady pace and is soon joined by the smokey jazz,
crisp beats, fresh twisted electronic bleeps and funky disco undertones that will want to make you keep moving. There
are some gorgeous down tempo jazzy breaks and flowing melodies, combined with forceful lyrics telling of borstal life
(Wagon Christ’s Bend Over) and making a stand against the macho sexism of some of the hip hop fraternity (DJ
Vadim’s Your Revolution featuring Sara Jones).
The tracks have been remastered and resequenced and there is a smooth flow to both of the CDs with a build up to
faster, darker tracks via ska (Kid Koala’s Skanky Panky), kooky electro (Mr.Scruff’s Shrimp) and the
soulful hip hop of The Herbaliser. With beautiful, uplifting vocals bursting out and mixing with clever and humorous
samples, by the end of the meltdown on CD2 you’re feeling refreshed and ready to start again, from the top.
RELATED LINKS:
Ninja Tune
Review of ZEN RMX - remix album launched concurrently
with ZEN CD
Review of ZEN tv DVD - retrospective vidoes DVD also launched concurrently
Buy ZEN CD at Amazon
UK (CD)
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US (CD)
Buy ZEN RMX at Amazon
UK (CD)
|
US (CD)
Buy ZEN tv DVD at Amazon
UK
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US
RELEASE DATE: Monday 9 February 2004 (UK/US)
PUBLISHED: Tuesday 20 January 2004
To send us music for potential inclusion, email us at
promos@knowtheledge.net
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::: RELATED LINKS
Ninja Tune
Review of ZEN RMX
Review of ZEN tv DVD
Buy ZEN CD at Amazon
UK (CD)
|
US (CD)
More Reviews
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