Celebrating Ninja Tune’s XX, this will be the 1st set of 4 featuring Ninja Tune. This time around the focus will be my top 10 albums from the Ninja Tune / Big Dada roster.

Let me know if I missed an amazing ninja tune album for the top 10 in the comments.

(play streaming mp3 archive if you can’t access the play.fm widget)

#1 Daedelus’ Love To Make Music To 2008
[Ninja Tune]

This album is truly amazing. Even two years later, it is still in my current, weekly rotation. Daedelus really outdid himself on this one. I personally feel that this is his masterpiece, so far. So far being the key words, as I expect him to exceed this, as he did for me with Exquisite Corpse. Up until this record, I thought it was Daedelus’ masterpiece. So, I’ve been here before, and he is definitely not done yet. So, I am on pins and needles waiting for the next Daedelus masterpiece. Can’t Wait!

#2 Daedelus’ Exquisite Corpse 2005
[Ninja Tune]

Until Love to Make Music To, Exquisite Corpse was, hands down, my favorite Daedelus record. When figuring out the top 10 for this set, to be honest, I kept going back and forth over which one should be number one. So, technically, it really is a tie. However, I decided to put Love to Make Music To as number one because the songs I love, I am absolutely heads over heels for. However, I must admit there are a couple of tunes that don’t do it for me, in comparison to Exquisite Corpse where there isn’t one single song on there that I do not like.

I also broke a rule that I had instituted for myself in order to create this set. The rule was I would only have one album in the top 10 from any one artist. Because if I didn’t, I’d have both of my beloved Wagon Christ records, a couple from Mr. Scruff, etc. However, I could not keep this rule for Daedelus. I could NOT choose one release over the other.

So, why do I love Daedelus so much? Eclectic is his middle name, and he always surprises. The way he puts together sounds are extraordinary, and the rappers he gets to rhyme over some of these crazy rhythms are fearless!

#3 The Clifford Gilberto Rhythm Combination’s I Was Young And I Needed The Money 1998
[Ninja Tune]

Dear Florian Schmitt,
You are one insanely, talented individual. As a web designer, I have been following your company Hi-ReS! since the Requiem for a Dream website; The output and trajectory of your companies have been absolutely stunning. However, I mourn for The Clifford Gilberto Rhythm Combination. Why did you choose design over music?

When I think of you, I often think of what happens when certain people don’t pursue a certain creative path. What would my life be without Luke Vibert releasing 2 to 3 albums a year. What if Luke decided to do something else besides music. I shudder at that thought. I know you are doing what you love, but you have some music fans out here that would love to hear another full length release from you.

I absolutely adore this record; I listen to this often, still. However, they do say it is better to love once, than not at all. So, as a stoic, I know at least you released one full length record. You could have not even released one at all. So, I am truly thankful that you did!

Sincerely,
PS

Along with Nicolette’s Let No One Live Rent Free In Your Head and Fishbone’s Give A Monkey A Brain… And He’ll Swear He’s The Center Of The Universe, I Was Young And I Needed The Money is one of my favorite album titles of all time.

#4 Amon Tobin’s Bricolage 1997

Amon Tobin really shouldn’t be on this list; He is in a class by himself. He is otherworldly. He has no competition. He can not be compared to anyone. He is truly the definition of an artist.

For most, Supermodified would be THE album, but for me it is most definitely Bricolage. Why? I love the obvious jazz influence, but, really, Chomp Samba alone merits this album as being the best Amon Tobin Ninja Tune album ever. However, the whole album is a sonic experience.

#5 Mr. Scruff’s Keep it Unreal 1999 / Keep It Unreal (10th Anniversary Analogue Remaster Edition) 2009
[Ninja Tune]

Of all the records on this list, this one has the best production. Mr. Scruff’s productions are insanely immaculate, and of course his songs are darn catchy and, downright, fun. We all need a little fun and humor in our lives. I could put Fish on repeat for the rest of my life, and I would never tire of it;)

#6 Wagon Christ’s Musipal 2001
[Ninja Tune]

OK. It should be no secret that I absolutely love Luke Vibert! If you are a regular (or even occasional) listener, you should know this by now, but in case you don’t, peep this in case you need remindin’…

Also, it should be apparent that it pained me to list Musipal as #6, but I had to be honest. On Ninja Tune, Daedelus rules. However, Luke’s (or, er, rather Wagon Christ’s) Sorry I Made you Lush was another great Ninja Tune release. I only broke my rule of one release per artist for Daedelus ;( I feel like I committed blasphemy in not doing so for my main, musical man. Please don’t hate me, Luke!

#7 DJ Food’s Kaleidoscope 2000
[Ninja Tune]

Listening to this is a pure cinematic experience. I’m always haunted by …You!

In this world
of ordinary people
extraordinary people
I’m glad there is
…You!

#8 Funki Porcini’s The Ultimately Empty Million Pounds 1999
[Ninja Tune]

This release is not just a collection of songs; It is THE definition of an album. Even though I singled out a couple of songs, it best experienced as a whole. This is becoming a lost art.

#9 Ty’s Upwards 2003
[Big Dada]

One of the best hip hop records ever recorded!

#10 Roots Manuva’s Run Come Save Me 2001/ Dub Come Save Me 2002
[Big Dada]

I’m cheating here, but I don’t listen to one without listening to the other. I have always seen Run Come Save Me and Dub Come Save Me as the same record, even though they were released a year apart.

What can I say? Roots Manuva is one of the best MCs of all time, period! His delivery is mad wicked and his lyrical content is heavy.

Also, the album cover for Run Come Save Me is one of my favorites of all time.

Playlist:

• Jus Jus (Instrumental) – Mr. Scruff – Keep It Unreal (10th Anniversary Analogue Remaster Edition) [Ninja Tune]
• Jusjus feat. Roots Manuva – Mr. Scruff – Keep it Unreal [Ninja Tune]
• Concrete Cats – The Clifford Gilberto Rhythm Combination – I Was Young And I Needed The Money! [Ninja Tune]
• Witness Dub – Roots Manuva – Dub Come Save Me [Big Dada]
• Witness (1 Hope) – Roots Manuva – Run Come Save Me [Big Dada]
• Dub Styles – Roots Manuva – Run Come Save Me [Big Dada]
• Drops (Cyne collaboration) – Daedelus – Exquisite Corpse [Ninja Tune]
• Hrs:Mins:Secs – Daedelus – Love To Make Music To [Ninja Tune]
• I Took Two – Daedelus – Love To Make Music To [Ninja Tune]
• Touchtone ft. Paperboy & Taz Arnold – Daedelus – Love To Make Music To [Ninja Tune]
• Do You Hear – Mr. Scruff – Keep it Unreal [Ninja Tune]
• Just Briefly – Daedelus – Exquisite Corpse [Ninja Tune]
• Chomp Samba – Amon Tobin – Bricolage [Ninja Tune]
• I Was Young And I Needed The Money! – The Clifford Gilberto Rhythm Combination – I Was Young And I Needed The Money! [Ninja Tune]
• One Day In My Garden – Amon Tobin – Bricolage [Ninja Tune]
• Assembly Lines – Daedelus – Love To Make Music To [Ninja Tune]
• Receiver – Wagon Christ – Musipal [Ninja Tune]
• Twist The Kids ft. N-fa – Daedelus – Love To Make Music To [Ninja Tune]
• Cheasy Rider – Funki Porcini – The Ultimately Empty Million Pounds [Ninja Tune]
• Ninjah (We Are Ninja) – Fink – Xen Cuts [Disc 1] [Ninja Tune]
• You’re The One ft. Om’mas Keith – Daedelus – Love To Make Music To [Ninja Tune]
• Nocturne (Sleep Dyad 1) – DJ Food – Kaleidoscope [Ninja Tune]
• Cris Chana – Wagon Christ – Musipal [Ninja Tune]
• Impending Doom – Daedelus – Exquisite Corpse [Ninja Tune]
• The Crippled Hand – Daedelus – Exquisite Corpse [Ninja Tune]
• Fish – Mr. Scruff – Keep it Unreal [Ninja Tune]
• Groovement (pt. 1) – Ty – Upwards [Big Dada]
• Eardrops – Mr. Scruff – Keep It Unreal (10th Anniversary Analogue Remaster Edition) [Ninja Tune]
• The Premise – Wagon Christ – Musipal [Ninja Tune]
• Ms. Looney’s Last Embrace – The Clifford Gilberto Rhythm Combination – I Was Young And I Needed The Money! [Ninja Tune]
• Move On (With Sci) – Daedelus – Exquisite Corpse [Ninja Tune]
• Musipal – Wagon Christ – Musipal [Ninja Tune]
• Skippy’s First Samba Lesson – The Clifford Gilberto Rhythm Combination – I Was Young And I Needed The Money! [Ninja Tune]
• Mpho’s Lament – Ty – Upwards [Big Dada]
• Music 2 Fly 2 – Ty – Upwards [Big Dada]
• Stoney Street – Amon Tobin – Bricolage [Ninja Tune]
• Deliver The Weird – The Clifford Gilberto Rhythm Combination – I Was Young And I Needed The Money! [Ninja Tune]
• Wires & Snakes – Amon Tobin – Bricolage [Ninja Tune]
• …You – DJ Food – Kaleidoscope [Ninja Tune]
• Wilson’s Millions – Funki Porcini – The Ultimately Empty Million Pounds [Ninja Tune]
• The Sky At Night – DJ Food – Kaleidoscope [Ninja Tune]