Exclusive interview with a dance legend as he releases the masterful ‘Message In The Music’
You can’t talk about UK dance culture without mentioning Ashley Beedle. He’s done it all. And he’s still doing it. A true polymath, it’s harder to find an element of good music that this Bajan-British legend hasn’t been involved in. A DJ, producer, remixer, label owner and re-edit king, he’s been fighting for the good groove cause since his musical career began in earnest in the ‘80s. For Ashley, notions of genre mean little. He’s got a deep knowledge of every style under the sun. Be it house, hip-hop, reggae, punk, symphonic soul or raunchy ‘70s rock, what matters more is if it sounds right and has the passion, intensity, funk and flavour to light up an Ashley Beedle DJ set. Here, Dan Prince checks in with da main man on the release of ‘Message In The Music’ – an astonishingly great journey through soul, disco, boogie, funk, rock, prog and post punk, all reshaped by the influential dance music veteran Ashley Beedle…
Hey Ashley welcome back to DMCWORLD. You claimed a little while back that the next time you will do an edit will be for the artist, “let’s put something back into the scene and look after the artists”. Can you elaborate on that…
“I think that I’ve taken enough out of this scene as a dance music producer/DJ and it is time to put something back. A lot of these artists are passing away now and it’s vital that they understand the respect that they have on the scene as well as me being in a position to raise their visibility for others to appreciate their music.”
So talk us through these past four years, these tracks have been on the chopping board to ensure maximum dancefloor stealth with the end result being a cross between re-edits, re-works and remixes, with additional production and parts played by your long-term musical partner Darren Morris. It’s been quite a journey getting things just right…
“Where do I start? We never planned it to be four years. It is what it is – an amazing mission that has been completed – albeit with blood, sweat and tears. I can only give out my love and blessings to Darren Morris, Ian Dewhirst and Adam Dewhurst for sticking with me on this project. Many thought I was foolhardy for taking on such an enormous task but it had to be done and I’m delighted with the finished results and the amazing feedback from everyone!! By the way Ian, where’s my Philly Regrooved Tom Moulton Remixes Vinyl Box Set….haha!”
What is your earliest memory of music?
“From about the age of 3 and that would be my dad’s Bluebeat and Ska records…”
Whilst your school mates were kicking a ball around the playground at lunchtime, you and your mates would head round to Martin Doud’s house and listen to his older brother’s cool punk 7” collection. What were some of the pieces of vinyl that had you jumping around his living room back then?
The Adverts – Bored Teenagers/Gary Gilmore’s Eyes
The Jam – In the City
Eddie and the Hotrods – Do anything you wanna do
Slaughter and the Dogs – You’re a Bore
You have some wonderful musical milestones in your life. Hearing ‘White Man In Hammersmith Palais’ for the first time, soulboy sessions at the Harrow Leisure Centre and Circles, queuing round the block at Tower Records tracking down Terence T’s ‘Power’, Spats on Oxford Street with Tim Westwood when the B Boy thing was coming through, Meltdown in Brixton with Norman Jay and Jonathan More and hearing Weatherall down at Queens spinning Belgian New Beat for the first time. What are your thoughts on the music scene in 2014, does music still excite you as much as it ever did?
“Simple answer – yes – or I wouldn’t be doing it. I’m blessed and very lucky to be doing what I do. There are new projects that I’m working on with Adamski, reggae artist LSK, Adrian Sherwood, the setting up of some new labels and projects including ‘Afrikanz on Marz’ and ‘The Black Saints’ – watch this space! Are there still producers coming through that are opening new doors?
I come from a production point of view where I bring the 70’s musical values into my present – I am an Afro Futurist. So new producers don’t really pay homage to what I consider to be my musical heritage. They’re becoming few and far between now…Pharrell did an amazing job on ‘Happy’ with his reference to Velvet Hammer’s ‘Happy’ by turning it on it’s head.. Moodymann always tickles me because I love the way he references the past…*shrugs shoulders* it’s a bit of a difficult question to answer – next!”
What was the last record that stopped you in your tracks?
“Fifth Dimension – Everything’s Been Changed – a poignant title I think. This production is sublime and in the hands of Bones Howe at the controls, this is truly close to a religious experience. Stunning and very easy to find on a 7″ – cheap as chips and way cool!”
The first time I saw you play was at Clink Street, I’d been at Shoom and was told about this great place to go to after it had finished. Danny Rampling’s night wasn’t for you though, why not?
“I didn’t know about it LOL – we listened to Danny on KISS FM Pirate and saying ‘Shoom shoom shoom’ over the tracks. For us, it was like another world – I was in the legendary Shock sound system. We came out of Rare Groove, Reggae, Hip Hop n ting…..we were rocking the early Trax/DJ International releases that had a soulful flavour to them and then we got into the whole Detroit thing with Transmat and Derek May….although Danny was only across the road physically, it seemed light miles away musically – respect to Danny anyway because he is Mr Shoom and the legacy lives on!”
Are there any DJs around that you would actually pay to see?
“Past or present….past, it would have to be Ron Hardy of Music Box fame in Chicago and Jack Ruby’s HiFi, Jamaica. Present – David Rodigan and Gilles Peterson.”
Your good pal Gilles Peterson was interviewed in The Sunday Times this week where he admitted that there is only one place in the world he won’t ever return to, Ibiza. What are your thoughts on the white isle these days…?
“I do bespoke gigs out there and they’re run by myself and my musical colleague, George Evelyn ‘Nightmares on Wax’. If Gilles fancies it, let’s rock up a party North of the island…”
What is your most treasured piece of vinyl?
“Bob Dylan – Like a Rolling Stone – given to me by my Dad….CBS 7″. A record that pointed the way for the future of rock music.”
You admit that playing anything less than a four hour set is pretty pointless these days for you, it enables you to set the scene by ‘warming up’ for yourself. Is that just something you have grown into as you have gotten older or did those three way deck sessions with Rocky and Diesel do your tits in with X-Press 2?
“No to doing my tits in with Rocky and Diesel – it was an honour to do those sessions and an experience that can never be equalled…priceless! Are four hour sets something I’ve grown into? Hmmmm….it’s old skool in a beautiful way.”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
Adamski – It’s a Man’s Whirled/Happy-ness – Dubplate
Incognito – Nights over Egypt – MAW mixes
Ashley Beedle – Faith Hope – Dubplate
Ashley Beedle – Yardism 2
Fat Freddie’s Drop – Never movin’ – Cosmo Remix
Don Carlos – I’m not crazy 12″
Gilberto Gil – Toda – Dubplate
Modernique ft Larry Woo – Love’s gonna get you
Michael Jackson – Call on me – AB edit
Wu Tang Clan – Method Man – Fried Chicken Remix
You love spinning to clubs with audiences under 400 people, where have some of the more intimate clubs over the years that have stood out for you?
“Cheetah in NYC, Womb in Tokyo and Heavy Disco with Dave Jarvis in any function room above any pub in North West London…”
“If you don’t get your past, you’re probably not locked into the future…” Discuss…
“Without getting too trippy on your head, the past actually runs parallel with your present and future….so pick out of that what you will….*grins* You’ve got to appreciate the musical bedrock that is the solid foundation for everything that is created now to build upon…”
So we head down to yours on a lazy Sunday afternoon, what are some of the Ashley Beedle Back To Mine tunes you lay down for us to chill the vibe…
Fifth Dimension – Everything’s Been Changed
Michael Jackson – Call on Me
Four Tops – Love Makes You Human
Burning Spear – Man in the Hills
Esther Phillips – There ain’t never been a man
Ras Michael and the Sons of Negus – Rastafari in Dub
Doves – Catch the Sun
We all know you love a good collab, indeed you are the first to admit you get too introspective when you are in the studio on your own. So what have you got planned for 2014 for us all and who with…?
“Darren Morris, Adamski and Yam Who – also a couple of new labels with new artists – new tings bro!”
And finally, you have moved to Brighton, you’re putting on parties in wedding venues, you’re spotted enjoying taking in the sea air on the prom. Is this the first signs of retirement setting in?!?!?
“Saga Holidays for Soulboys?….it ain’t over until this boy has spun his last tune and I’m still spinning…
Ladies and Gentlemen, Ashley Beedle has left the building…”
NHAC presents Ashley Beedle with support from Turn.Me.Out DJs
New residency every other Friday @ Notting Hill Arts Club
6pm-2am; Free before 8pm, £6 until 11pm, £8 after // www.nottinghillartsclub.com: every other Friday from Friday 28th February onwards
‘Message In The Music The Ashley Beedle Re-Edits’
3 disc set (2 CD + DVD) on Harmless Records
Disc 1
1. Burlesque – Family Family (Ashley Beedle Re-Edit) 5.33
2. You’re All That I Need – Ace Minder Music (Ashley Beedle Re-Edit) 5.13
3. I Name This Ship Survival – Cado Belle Minder Music (Ashley Beedle Re-Edit) 5.13
4. Gimme Shelter – Ruth Copeland HDH (Ashley Beedle Re-Edit 9.25
5. Touch Sensitive – The Fall Minder Music (Ashley Beedle Re-Edit) 4.19
6. Long Train Runnin’ – Panama EMI (Ashley Beedle Re-Edit) 6.22
7. Hangin’ On – Brainstorm Tabu (Ashley Beedle Re-Edit) 4.16
8. Rainbow – New York Port Authority HDH (Ashley Beedle Re-Edit) 6.09
9. Do It – Los Africanos Acid Jazz (Ashley Beedle Re-Edit) 6.45
10. Cheeba – The 8th Day HDH (Ashley Beedle Re-Edit) 6.02
11. Railroad Man – Bill Withers Sony (Ashley Beedle Re-Edit) 10.21
12. For Baby Ooh – Cymande Alaska (Ashley Beedle Re-Edit) 5.58
13. Guess I’m Gonna Cry – New York Port Authority HDH (Ashley Beedle Re-Edit) 3.44
Disc 2
1. Journey To The Light – Brainstorm Tabu Ashley Beedle Re-Edit 7.24
2. Don’t Leave Me – Holland-Dozier HDH (Ashley Beedle Re-Edit) 7.11
3. All About The Paper – Gene Chandler Chi-Sound (Ashley Beedle Re-Edit) 6.34
4. I’m A Love Bug – Donna McGhee Minder Music (Ashley Beedle Re-Edit) 5.57
5. I Need You Girl – The Three Pieces Ace/Fantasy (Ashley Beedle Re-Edit) 8.32
6. Keeping Secrets – Switch Minder Music (Ashley Beedle Re-Edit) 4.42
7. Keep Holding On – The Gap Band Minder Music (Ashley Beedle Re-Edit) 5.28
8. In A Week, In A Day – Kyle Auldist True Thoughts (Ashley Beedle Re-Edit) 6.31
9. Soul Sleeper – Astra Nova Orchestra Alaska (Ashley Beedle Re-Edit) 5.51
10. Woman Of The Ghetto – Doris Duke Sam (Ashley Beedle Re-Edit) 9.19
11. Whatcha Gonna Do – Heaven N’ Hell Philly Groove (Ashley Beedle Re-Edit) 9.54
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