How did we get to comparing these two very different labels? Actually I
guess it's not a comparison but more of an general opinionated response.
Ninja Tune is a more freeform experimental yet eclectic label delving on
some jazz influenced to electronic influenced pieces. Sure they might not
have their niche as some of their other contemporaries but they sure can
pack a different punch each time. Some not as hard as others but still a
kaleidoscopic approach. Sometimes I do get confused about how they pick
which certain artists go to certain labels (like I thought Flanger would be
more of a NTone artist while Fink should be a Ninja Tune artist) though.
Naked Music, on the other hand, is an interesting label with an interesting
approach for their music. The only problem that I have with them is that
they've got a truly unique sound but their handful of producers
unfortunately all sound the same, even the songwriting is quite similarly
based. It sort of sounds like a template and then they just etch in the
right spots. Don't get me wrong, they are definitely a courageous label to
take on the majors with their under-appreciated sound! I heard a bit of
that new Aquanote and it should be pretty interesting to see what the other
remixers come up with. Another funny misconception though people do seem to
have are the artists on the compilations which are licensed like the Little
Big Bee/Atjazz clash, Atjazz, Extended Spirit, Metro Area, etc.
But you all have to admit with a label that consistantly grows a larger fan
base, there are going to be more fickle people. I was one of them when Mo'
Wax totally abandoned their soulful incorporation. I thought some of the
Excursions were cool but I really hated South, some Unkle stuff, etc. Now I
find their stuff to be the pressure cooker of 'what Mo' Wax deems cool'
rather than great, interesting music. I think a lot of the people abandoned
that label when the fashionable and impressionable factor kicked in. Now we
got just a bunch of jaded Mo Wax fans treasuring their Attica Blues first
editions, DJ Shadow early works and Palmskin Productions twelvers. They
also released a dope Brazilian jam back in the day in the vein of Frankie
Valentine called Mistura that I still play, sounds just as fresh as today.
PS: Still love most of Ben Drury's design work though.
JJB/opSN
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Sat Dec 01 2001 - 12:59:09 CET