Whilst Ninja Tune is hellbent on making its 20th anniversary celebrations memorable to say the least, we're also intent on signing the artists that will keep us going another 20 years. Eskmo is one of the latest of these; a young artist deeply rooted in the resurgence of electronic music, with the vision and talent to write songs that defy genre and could only be his own. With prior recordings being released on esteemed labels Warp and Planet Mu, San Francisco based Eskmo is already being touted as one of the key artists in a new wave of creativity in electronica.
Described by Bleep.com as "Masterfully produced... sophisticated, post-Dilla hip-hop funk," Eskmo's music has caught the attention of Amon Tobin, who he collaborated with on a project entitled Eskamon. He has also toured as a live act throughout North America and Europe, and opened for both Amon and Flying Lotus. Pendulum's Elhornet said in a recent interview: "There are good producers, then there are dudes who you never catch..and don't even try. He's one of those..."
This week's Ninja Tune XX giveaway is a brand new Eskmo track entitled 'Come Back.' Showcasing his mastery of electronic production and trademark sound, it reveals exactly why we're so excited about the newest addition to our roster. Eskmo will be playing the Ninja Tune XX parties in London, Paris and Brussels, and his first single, 'Cloudlight,' will be featured on the Ninja Tune XX compilation. Expect a brand new album coming this October too.
Ninja Tune XX Giveaway - Week VIII - Toddla T - 'Sky Surfing' (Ross Orton Remix)
This week's Ninja Tune XX giveaway comes from a recent signing to Ninja Tune, who just happens to be one of the most exciting creative forces currently working in UK music. Toddla T has been producing since he was in his early teens, wiring his love of dancehall and dub into thrillingly contemporary, electronic dance music. As well as releasing a debut album on 1965 Records, he produced two standout tracks on Roots Manuva'a Slime and Reason album, and has recorded a track with Ms Dynamite for the Ninja Tune XX compilation. His new single 'Sky Surfing' was recorded with Wayne Marshall in Jamaica, and is a classic example of what makes Toddla T great; his ability to make cutting edge club music instilled with an all-embracing exuberance.
It's a busy week for celebrations and, indeed, for Dalston. On Thursday night Roots, Wrongtom, Ricky Ranking, the legendary Don Letts and Photomachine will be seeing 'Duppy Writer' off out into the world at The Alibi, 91 Kingsland High Street E8 2PB. The night will run from 8pm until 3am, it's free entry and the place is really quite small, so please get there ridiculously early or stand around outside feeling vexed. The choice is yours....
07.09.10Ninja Tune XX Pop-Up Shop
Come to the Ninja Tune XX '20 Years of Beats & Pieces' exhibition this Saturday and browse a special pop-up shop with handpicked items from the Ninjashop. From 12-5pm, free entry.
Black Dog Space 10a Acton Street London WC1X 9NG
06.09.10Ninja Tune exhibition at the AB restaurant in Brussels
Didn't get a ticket to the (sold out!) Ninja Tune XX show at Ancienne Belgique - AB? Want to celebrate the label's anniversary?
Get your ass down to the AB Resto and see some of the best Ninja Tune artwork, chosen by the London crew themselves.
05.09.10Eskmo - Cloudlight
Welcome, Ninja Tune’s latest signing, the one and only Eskmo. Brendan Angelides, a native of Connecticut now based in San Francisco, has been causing a considerable stir for the last few years, releasing music on labels including but not limited to Warp, Planet Mu and his own Ancestor imprint. Already tipped by many in the electronic music community to be a major presence for years to come, Eskmo shows exactly what the fuss is all about on his debut for his new home-label.
'Cloudlight' somehow manages to rope together the aesthetics of glitch, dubstep and r&b into the kind of song Marvin The Paranoid Android might have recorded if he were put on a course of anti-depressants, got laid by a washing machine and munched enough ecstasy tablets to explode a cat. Troubling, beautiful and strangely uplifting all at once, it states, simply and without the need for any of these words, that Angelides is a unique presence in electronic music. 'Come Back' develops the sound perhaps even further, a narcotisized Timberlake number or a disembodied ghost voice? It’s a question only the listener can answer, though Angelides injects real longing into his deadpan vocals. Remix duties are dealt with by Brainfeeder’s Lorn, who turns in a brutally pummeling remix.
'Cloudlight' download single is out now, with a self-titled album coming 4th October.
