Press release :
Tony Simon aka Blockhead debuted on Ninja Tune in 2004 with the critically-acclaimed "Music By Cavelight". It was described as "one of the most fantastically good albums you're going to hear this year" (Sunday Telegraph) and "a beautiful record" (Metro), with Blockhead himself tipped as "definitely one to watch" (Touch).

Now he returns with an exclusive digital download single which will be followed by the album "Downtown Science". Another set of deep, emotional instrumental hip hop, this time dedicated to the downtown area of Manhattan where he grew up and has lived his entire life, encompassing all the attitude, anger and edginess of the neighbourhood. Plus some melancholy reflections upon failed relationships and the promise of future loves. As Blockhead himself says, "Downtown Manhattan is the influence because that's my environment, its romantic at times and violent at other times."

"Expiration Date" presents shadowesque rolling breaks over the kind of elegaic music that makes it a fitting memorial to 9/11.

Such as Blockhead's album influences, "Good Block Bad Block" is an atmospheric and moody look at the two sides to every block in the big apple. It's an edgy masterpiece with rock tinged stabs and interesting vocal inserts.

More of that uplifting melancholy on the aptly titled "Sunday Séance". Possibly the standout track from his superb, critically-acclaimed debut album "Music By Cavelight", "Sunday Séance" is a huge mash of harmonica, pitched up vocal wailing and the chunkiest break this side of a Yorkie Bar (for which metaphor I apologise, but I was brought up in the seventies).

For added value, though, look no further than Liverpudlian duo Loka, who reimagine the original as a flurry of drums and gorgeous stringiness, once again confirming Ninja HQ's prediction that they are most definitely Ones To Watch.