Xen Cuts [Box set]

Amazon.com
Released as a tribute to the fact that Coldcut's legendary Ninja Tune imprint had been releasing records for a decade, this collection showcases the label's rich array of artists. Though assembled in the same spirit as the seminal Ninja Cuts series, comprising a mixture of back catalog and material exclusive to the compilation, a crafty alteration of the title acts as a nod to the 10 years since Bogus Order's "Zen Brakes" first fought its way onto a turntable. From the Steinski intro, the track listing of the first of two compact discs has a distinct hip-hop leaning. It slinks through lyrical activity from the likes of the Dynamic Syncopation before flipping a skit from Roots Manuva over Amon Tobin's "Saboteur" and dropping down to the sultry vocals of Sarah Jones, which parallel the Gil Scott-Heron standard in their declaration that the "revolution will not be between these thighs." Flip to the second disc for a demonstration of Ninja's recent foray into cinematic funk, whether through the raging percussion of Chris Bowden or breathtaking orchestration of Clifford Gilberto's "Restless," the resultant experience is nothing if not widescreen. Settle down and reset your ears for two hours of cross-dressing, genre-bending bliss from one of the U.K.'s most innovative record labels. --Kingsley Marshall

Tracks:

The Xen To One Ratio - Steinski's Intro
Showtime - Big Dada Sound
2 Tha Left - Dynamic Syncopation
QMS - T Love
8pt Agenda - The Herbaliser
Ug - Mr. Scruff
Memories - Neotropic
Rhythm & Blues Angus Steakhouse - Cabbageboy
Saboteur (Roots Manuva Version) - Amon Tobin
Your Revolution (Version) - DJ Vadim
Nepalese Bliss (Jimpster Mix) - The Irresistible Force
Emperors Main Course - Kid Koala
Give It Up - Coldcut
Hip Hop Barrio - Up, Bustle & Out
Blue Flames - Quannum MC's
Night Night Theme - The Infesticons
I Hear The Drummer - Luke Vibert
Ninjah (We Are Ninja) - Fink

Tracks:

The Joy Of X (Spotters Delight) - Flexus Intro
The 10th Victim - Clifford Gilberto
Soul Pride - Neptune
Los Locos Cubanos (Snowboy Mix) - Up, Bustle & Out
Down & To The Left - Amon Tobin
My Life's In These Bottles - Loka
Original Sins - Chris Bowden
Restless - Clifford Gilberto
Build A Church With Your Fear - Animals On Wheels
The Ageing Young Rebel (Gentle Cruelty) - DJ Food
Quicksilver Loom - Flanger
Big Sea - Funki Porcini
Arcane - Arc
Big Amoeba Sound - Max & Harvey

Tracks:

Twice The First Time - Saul Williams
More Beats & Pieces (John McEntire Tortoise Mix) - Coldcut
Dubble (Organ Swell) - Funki Porcini
No Mind - Happy Campers
Peace Pt.1 - DJ Food
Happy Band - Mr. Scruff
Drunk Trumpet (Live At The Metro, Chicago) - Kid Koala
Non Lateral Hypothesis - DJ Vadim
Ninja Tune (The Process Mix) - Hexstatic
Movements (Live At Inside Tracks) - Roots Manuva
Tried By 12 (Squarepusher Mix) - East Flatbush Project
Feel'n You & Me - Sukia Vs. DJ Food
Channel 1 Suite - The Cinematic Orchestra
Bad Sex - Amon Tobin
Bonus Track - Xen Cuts

Amazon.com

Released as a tribute to the fact that Coldcut's legendary Ninja Tune imprint had been releasing records for a decade, this collection showcases the label's rich array of artists. Though assembled in the same spirit as the seminal Ninja Cuts series, comprising a mixture of back catalog and material exclusive to the compilation, a crafty alteration of the title acts as a nod to the 10 years since Bogus Order's "Zen Brakes" first fought its way onto a turntable. From the Steinski intro, the track listing of the first of two compact discs has a distinct hip-hop leaning. It slinks through lyrical activity from the likes of the Dynamic Syncopation before flipping a skit from Roots Manuva over Amon Tobin's "Saboteur" and dropping down to the sultry vocals of Sarah Jones, which parallel the Gil Scott-Heron standard in their declaration that the "revolution will not be between these thighs." Flip to the second disc for a demonstration of Ninja's recent foray into cinematic funk, whether through the raging percussion of Chris Bowden or breathtaking orchestration of Clifford Gilberto's "Restless," the resultant experience is nothing if not widescreen. Settle down and reset your ears for two hours of cross-dressing, genre-bending bliss from one of the U.K.'s most innovative record labels. --Kingsley Marshall

Customer Reviews:

If you're going to get your feet wet, you may as well swim........2004-02-29

Lets rate the label not the tracks. The label, as it stands, is on the up and up, introducing the best aritsts that jazz-core and hip hop (REAL HIP HOP, NOT LUDACRIS) have to offer. The problem, is that this compilation only lets you get your feet wet in the ocean that this label has to offer. Tracks by Amon Tobin, Saul Williams, Kid Koala KILL the rest of the cd. I would honestly reccommend this compilation to those who are ready to dive into some deeper music, it's the perfect introduction into the world of electrojazz and tru hip hop heads. Heavy and hard, this one carries. Just know that this compilation is mearly a cliff note in the world of the tunes of the ninja. Ninja tune reprazent.

Xen Superstar.......2003-07-12

Xen Cuts is basically a compilation of music from different musicians from the Big Dada and Ninjatune label. It's a great showcase of all the labels have to offer and is almost like like gourmet dish of different foods to sample before you decide to buy them on your own. The tracks range from trip hop to hard acid jazz (I love Clifford Gilberto's tracks) and some lyrically sound hip hop tracks. With as many musicians as they have, a lot of the tracks are well done. Granted, I would be hard pressed to find all the tracks appealing, the ones that are give birth to a sense of style that each of the musicians have thoroughly developed through the years and deserve the recognition that they get for their respective genres.
The hip hop tracks are nicely done, the Big Dada Sound track is a highlight just because it features some big name (well, relatively speaking) that all collaborate on one track. It's the perfect high-bass track for any bloke rolling out on the town one evening. The acid jazz tracks are spectacular, especially the clifford gilberto. The tracks leave you drenched in saturation, and push you towards the epiphany of "This is *real* acid jazz". The drum n bass tracks are alright, besides Amon Tobin, it's not really a genre that the labels are known for producing, but some of the d n b tracks are enjoyable. Overall, there are some tracks that pale, while others that embody their respective genre in full. But for the price, it's all good.

Must have.......2002-08-16

Live kid Koala cuts! Rare 'Revelution won't happen bwt these thighs' track and many others. Dude, get it. You gotta.

Oustanding, Breathtaking, Spectacular, (adjective please!!!).......2002-02-09

Wow, Wow, Wow. My brother brought his copy of this CD when he came to visit us. I rummaged through his things (sorry), found it, and it was love at first hearing. I had never even heard of Ninja Tunes before then. This 3-disc compilation features a variety of artists and their myriad sounds, all coming together for one large party (for clarifications, see the track listing posted on this website).
Disc One: Mostly hip-hop oriented. Funky, deep beats with better than average raps, sassy feminists, and an oriental flavor (Kid Koala).

Disc Two: Mostly for jazz buffs. The weakest of the set. Highlights: Gilberto,Clifford; Arc; Up, Bustle & Out; Amon Tobin

Disc Three: Overlooked tracks. Most tracks are excellent. Pay special attention to the Saul Williams track (and watch "Slam"), Funki Porcini, Kid Koala (" I wonder what kind of bear his wife thinks he is"), Roots Manuva, and the Zen Cuts bonus track. It's awesome.

Looking forward to another such compilation by Ninja Tunes
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Disappointing to be perfectly honest.......2001-12-05

Yeah i know, (the price) for 3 cds (just under 50 songs) is great, the packaging is real nice and the names performing are top notch.

The problem is that i was expecting something really mindblowing and there where some great touches but overall i wasn't that impressed. Maybe its because i had most of the best songs because i had at least 10 of the artists individual albums.

Cd 1 is strictly for the hip-hop headz. Roots Manuva kills it of on track 2 while the Herbaliser and Latryrx show just why i think they are the most gifted writers in the scene on track 5. Roots Manuva strikes again on Tobins brilliant Saboteur (track 9), and Quannum MC (track 15) is real hot. This is probably the best cd in this collection with Mr Scruff and Kid Koala making decent apperances. Track 7 is my least favourite (by Neotropic?).

Cd 2 is probably the worst cd. Clifford Gilberto saves it from the dustbin with the amazing Restless and the 10th victim.
Funki Porcini and Arc are above par with decent tracks as is Amon Tobin. Dj Food has the worst song on this whole album with 'The Ageing Young Rebel' (tRACK 10).

Cd 3 is decent with Eastflatbush project (Track 11) and my main man Roots Manuva on (track 10). Funki Porcini gets it right again with (track 2), Porcini's 'Ultimately empty million dollars lp' was real poor so this shows he is decent. Finally (track 12) by DJ Food is brilliant. CD3 has many decent but uninspiring songs on aswell as the ones mentioned.

In conclusion, the is a must get purchase for any Ninja Tune fans and since i purchased a cd recorder i have made a one disc compilation which is great, i advise you to do the same.

(...) To be honest when i started this review i gave it 3 stars but it deserves 4.
DJ Krush vs Coldcut, Funkungfusion and DK and DJ Food compilations are also banging but Funkjazztical Tricknology should be avoided. Laters

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