By Russell Barker

Before we get onto the music, firstly some facts. Ninja Academy are a two-piece, bass and drums instrumental group who wear ninja outfits when they play live. When you hear the music it begins to make perfect sense. Actually it doesn't at all; in fact it doesn't get anywhere close, but that all goes to help enhance the enigma that is Ninja Academy.

The best tracks on the album are the ones enhanced by the addition of the keyboards of Max Martinez, adding as they do a certain jazz tilt to proceedings. Specifically we're talking about the slow and moody 'Jungle Wabbit' and 'Bounce', the one that sounds like an off kilter version of the Mission Impossible theme tune.

And to show they can rock aswell as set the mood they give us 'Maniac', which swells time and again to a big wave of noise before settling down to a calm bass line and 'The Truth' which ushered the album in gently before the rock explosion near the end.

Check this out; it's amazing what you can accomplish with the bare essentials and some imagination.

For more info and to buy the CD go to www.ninjaacademy.com