Ninja Tune are a label whose exact provenance and history plenty of folk might not be familiar with, though chances are they certainly will be familiar with at least one of their artists. Since forming twenty tears ago (hence this anniversary collection) the label started by DJs Matt Black and Jonathan More (aka Cold Cut) has put out music by a staggeringly diverse array of artists. From Jaga Jazzist to Roots Manuva, from Daedalus and The Cinematic Orchestra to Toddla T and many, many more, the label goes from strength to strength all the while embracing left-field, imaginative music. For Ninja Tune HQ, Ninja Tune XX is an actual celebration; for us listeners it’s cause for one.

Now, forgive me for glossing over some details in an attempt to adequately evaluate the collective impact of 106 songs, or over 8 hours of music. This package is complete in every sense of the word. Hell, even the accompanying press release was entertaining. To speak objectively, this collection, which if found in the wild will ask £100 of you, is filled to the brim with exclusive remixes and new tracks, physical treats (vinyl, stickers, books, posters) and as such is less of a retrospective compilation, more of a ‘futurespective’ (to borrow from Ninja Tune’s own words).

The songs. Where to begin? With the urban, grimy, occasionally unsettling and frequently tribal? With the blissed out, glitchy electronica? Toddla T’s (feat. Ms Dynamite) track ‘Want U Now’ (disk 1) is a fantastic starting point; beginning with an array of harsh synths that drop into a semi-rapped semi-raga verse with the two vocalists trading rhymes in a rhythmic monotone it runs head first into the surprisingly melodic hook of the chorus.

Equally good is any number of Daedulus originals and remixes, a genius Four Tet remix of Antipop Consortium’s ‘Volcano’, and the Grass Cut remix of ‘Toccata’ by the incredible Jaga Jazzist. The third disk of the compilation is generally a little more melodic and features bands using more traditional instrumentation (the aforementioned Norwegians for example, as well as Cinematic Orchestra) which aptly celebrates Ninja Tune’s more sensitive, borderline-traditional side. The whole disk is a treat. One more individual track that really bears mentioning is the Tunng edit of Quincy& Xen Cuts Allstars ‘I Hear The Drummer’, which is sublimely oddball yet chilled. Hopefully this small cherry-picked selection gives some idea of how enticing the whole selection on offer really is.

Make no mistake, you’ll need to be a keen Ninja acolyte or looking for the perfect way to learn very quickly about electronica and hiphop to splash the cash. The rewards, however, are more then commensurate with the price tag. To say nothing of the gorgeous physicality of the actual box, there’s an outrageous volume of quality, varied, mostly new music contained herein. Like this could never be a review in the traditional sense, Ninja Tune XX isn’t a traditional boxed set. And really, for the price of thirty pints or three new xbox games, this is a most traditional bargain.