THEIR LATEST ALBUM, SOUND MIRRORS, IS A VERITABLE NINJA FEAST
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Some like it cold
Sandra Marron chats to dance music pioneers and the brains behind Ninja Tune, COLDCUT, as they gear up for their Triptych date.
oldcut are to cut and paste what Laurel & c llardy are to slapstick comedy. the grandfathers of their craft. Jonathan More and Matt Black have notched up some pretty shit-hot credentials and accolades between them since getting together in the mid 80s. It would be safe to say that
between them. they have revolutionised the idea of
making records in this country.
A chance meeting in Reckless Records in London where More worked. sealed their fate. More sold Black a bootleg copy of ‘Across the Tracks' by Maceo & the Macks and Black returned with a copy of 'Say Kids. What Time is 11'." the following day suggesting that they work on it together. From there the wheels were set in motion and Coldcut began a long and illustrious career spanning three decades. In l087 they released the first ever sample-built record. ‘Say Kids“. their debut album. What's that Noise went silver in WOO and their compilation Journeys by 1).] was honoured by being named the best Compilation Record of all time by Jockeys/m in the late 90s. Their Solid Steel radio show has been running on Kiss FM for nearly 20 years. they have made videogames. lead the \'J revolution at festivals all over the world including the Big Chill. Sonar and the Montreux Jazz Festival and along with long-time collaborator Hex developed art installations including Generator for the Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art.
Then there is the small matter of forming one of the hippest record labels of our time. Ninja Tunes. Home to such modern day luminaries as Roots Manuva. Mr Scruff. The Herbaliser. Cinematic Orchestra and
Homelife to name but a few. it has released some of Q the UK's most revered albums. Their latest album
Sound Mirrors is a roller coaster of a musical ride
through pop. ambient melancholy soundscapes. glitchy blues. techno-infused crescendos and smoky basement jazz all wrapped up perfectly with razor-
sharp production. It’s an album of collaborations and clever ideas. a veritable Ninja feast.
Coldcut know a lot of people with a lot of talent. so I
it’s not too difficult to get quality artists to work with.
‘We sniff them out with our Ninja nose and then by
the power of the computer we get in touch‘, More confesses. Everyone from Jon Spencer (Blues
Explosion) to rapper Mike Ladd (lnfesticons). Roots : Manuva and Saul Williams appear. It‘s an organic
process claims More. ‘We create the tracks in most
cases as a starting point and then often we have a ' Ninja get-together with all the people who work at Ninja and various people that are involved in the album and throw ideas about.’ he says. The diary is
full and the projects varied for this year. They are
currently on tour in Europe and release single ‘True ' Skool’ (with Roots Manuva) mid-April. just ahead of their Triptych date in Glasgow. When probed about
any plans for more large-scale art projects, Mr More
shyly and rather coyly admits that. ‘we are going to test a few people out at some point. I’m not going to . say anything at the moment but. its going to be a right
royal show-off.’
Coldcut play at ABC, Glasgow, Wed 26 Apr as part of Triptych.
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THE BEST DANCEFLOOR ACTION
>l= Death Disco v Saltllck Clash of the Titans would look like a cat fight compared with this musical battle. Erol and Mylo step up please. Arches. Glasgow, Sat 15 Apr.
ti: Club Nolr You’re not reading it wrong - Club Noir have found a new home in Edinburgh and they're bringing their nipple tassels with them. The Jamhouse, Edinburgh, Sun 16 Apr.
>l< Melange A-Oo-Oo Billy Woods invites one half of New York's biggest party starters to his new night. Enter Eric Duncan of Rug'n'Tug. Riverside Club. Glasgow, Sun 16 Apr. Ultragroove Easter Party The best house DJ in the world? Why not check it out for yourself as Derrick Carter joins the Easter party. The Venue, Edinburgh, Sun 16 Apr.
>2: Souljam Get your party frock on as Glasgow's hottest funk and soul collective celebrate one year on the planet. Bluu, Glasgow, Sun 76 Apr.
:3: soles In the Wire: Pro Forma and Errors go live, but the main draw has to be a DJ set from Juan MacLean from the mighty DFA. Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh, Thu 20 Apr.
Edit Undo The man behind the seminal track ‘Disco to Disco' and the daddy of micro house, Justus Kohncke unleashes his bag of tricks. Liquid Lounge, Glasgow, Fri 21 Apr.
Deathklllllooo Lapsus Linguae play their first live set for what seems like eons. Barfly, Glasgow, Sat 22 Apr.
UFreak Funky body hits from techno hero Dave Angel. The Venue, Edinburgh, Sat 22 Apr.
a’< We are . . . Electric More cool midweek electro punk as Booka Shade (pictured) put in a live show. Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh, Wed 26 Apr.
13-27 Apr 2006 THE LIST 33