Ashley Beedle OUTERNATIONAL

DONALD BYRD - PLACES AND SPACES - BLUE NOTE RECORDS

    DONALD BYRD - PLACES AND SPACES – BLUE NOTE RECORDS

I first bought this album at the age of 14. The year was 1976. I got the album from Woolworths when I was living in an area called Harrow & Wealdstone (on the outskirts of London), a real soul boy enclave. The reason I got the album was for one track Change (Makes You Wanna Hustle] which a friend of my dad had played to me on an import 7” .

As a young teenager I was exploring the delights of disco, soul and jazz funk while still desperately clinging on to my reggae credentials. Places And Spaces was/is an album that opened up a whole new world of aural delights. When I played this record for the first time on dad’s record player it definitely flipped my lid to say the least! The production was so lush. Sweeping string arrangements, sultry rhythm guitar, warm bass and punchy horn charts combined to make this what I can only call cinematic, hovering between the neo funk of his 1973 album Street Lady and the proto-disco soul of Earth Wind And Fire.

 Being the inquisitive soul that I am I checked out the credits to find out who was involved in the production of this masterwork. Two names cropped up, Larry and Fonce Mizell. This was the first time I came across these two cats and it certainly would not be my last. I made a note in my head to watch out for their names in the future when purchasing vinyl

Along with the Mizell brothers there was a killer line up of musicians who played on Places And Spaces. They were stalwarts of the golden era of 70’s era jazz funk. Just to name a few: Harvey Mason on drums, King Errison on congas, Chuck Rainey on bass and of course the Mizell brothers on trumpet, clavichord, clavinet, piano and vocals! Now that’s a big whoa!

 Places And Spaces for me is one of those albums that is an utter joy to listen to. For me there is not a bad track. From the opening funk monster of the previously mentioned Change (Makes You Wanna Hustle] until the last track, a lovely jazzy rework of The Temptations - Just My Imagination with Donald Byrd’s trumpet dabbed over the tracks like a fine landscape painting.

 This record has now become a classic of the jazz funk scene with (Fallin’ Like] Dominoes pretty much becoming the unofficial national anthem of every soul all dayer I ever attended back in the day. Places And Spaces is still a huge influence on me. The production is  just so beautiful. It’s been rightly sampled by the cream of hip hop. Jazzy Jeff, Black Moon, Stetsasonic and Pete Rock to name a few.  I am going to be honest I’ve rocked the drums from You And Music( one of the tracks on the album] for a certain high profile remix let’s just say this particular band I remixed involved a certain Sir Michael Jagger He asked me who the drummer was I used on the mix. I told him Harvey Mason! He asked me how I managed to get hold of him!  As you can imagine I neatly sidestepped the question.

I always saw this album as having spring/summer written all over it. That’s what this record always reminds me of. It brings back beautiful memories of crazy hazy days of my first clubbing experiences. trips to your favourite record emporiums and discussing with your mates the latest imports from the US and Europe.

 On October 7^th 2012 I presented this album at an event called Classic Album Sundays  in London. It was a real pleasure presenting such a seminal record to a wonderful and open audience. I just want to point out that Donald Byrd has such a fantastic body of work. No doubt if your a Byrd fan you will have your own personal favourite. This album meant a lot to me as kid and it still means a lot and I would just like to say thank you Mr Byrd.

Donaldson Toussaint L’Ouverture Byrd II (December 9, 1932 – February 4, 2013)

 

 

 

 

 

 

DJ HARVEY »» MANCHESTER INCOMING

DISCO MYSTERY AND ATTITUDE………

It’s always there under the radar in it’s pure underground form or in your face courtesy of one of the latest chart acts (think Lady Gaga). It constantly gets it’s fair share of coverage in the media, in fact BBC4 will be broadcasting a documentary http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-17017805

This will be to celebrate 10 years of BBC4 broadcasting. It, my friends, is DISCO!!!

Now, before you all go “disco is so over!!”, let’s just think about the impact this culture has had and still continues to exert over modern dance music. House music is it’s bastard child, it was/is disco done cheap. The attitude of modern dance music wholly holds a debt to the culture of disco. We cannot escape it, it’s in our dance DNA!

It still gives me a thrill to hear a sublime Ashford & Simpson production popping out of the radio (very rare these days) or having a little dig in a second hand record shop and pulling a mint copy of Gladys Knight and The Pips - Taste Of Bitter Love for a couple of quid, which can only put the broadest smile on your face. : )

Regardless of the amount of books, documentaries, articles etc on disco, commercial disco, rare disco, legendary disco venues, legendary disco era deejays, WHATEVER! It still has a deep fascination for me. I don’t really collect disco records much anymore, maybe the odd one or two, but I would never be parted from my collection of 12” records - just because - for me personally - all those records tell a fascinating story. Good times and bad times are etched in those grooves!

I will watch the BBC4 documentary and, no doubt, like everybody else I will find fault and watch everybody discussing it on Facebook - having a pop that it was “all about the Bee Gees and Studio 54” but I really don’t mind anymore. You see, in my own head, I still have the disco attitude.

BLESS THE FALLEN & MORE REGGAE

I may be a bit late on this, but I was very sad to read of the death of Whitney Houston.  I couldn’t say I was ever a fan of her music on the whole - may be three or four of her tracks appealed to me during her career.  However, I am sad because of the way in which the music and entertainments industries seem to chew up and spit out the brightest talents.  Of the most recent, Amy Winehouse was a real tragedy and now Whitney follows.  She also happens to be the same age as me… which makes me realise how young she really was!  No doubt the wonderful record industry will make a mint on the back of this ‘event’.

In my deep, dark, disco days this Whitney track was a big favourite of mine.  It still uplifts me and you can bet your bottom dollar this will be dropped at The Loft and Horse Meat Disco (if it hasn’t already).

Whilst we’re here on all things Whitney, one of my DJ spars Moodymanc sent me over a rework he’s done of It’s Not Right But It’s Ok, that makes so much sense.  I love this better than the original version - check it out here:

So, for Whitney Houston and all those other fallen angels I raise my glass and say thank you for the music.

I’ve been really busy in the studio lately working on a mixture of remixes, edits, reworks and original tracks.  Check out my Soundcloud page for some of my more recent productions.. and there’s plenty more on the way too.  I’m really loving a lot of the music that’s coming through at the moment and it’s really inspiring the work I’m doing in the studio - and in the clubs.

I know I’ve touched upon the things I’m doing with Dave Hill/Rootikal in past blogs but I’m really excited about what we’ve been doing - somewhat on the downlow - with the radio show and some productions too.  

The Reggae Show is now broadcast as part of the regular schedule on Ministry of Sound radio, and is presented - on rotation - by myself and David Hill from Rootikal and Earl Gateshead and Daddy Ad from Trojan Sound System.

Production wise, myself and Dave Hill have been working with the original tapes of some classic Bob Marley tracks.  I can’t say too much about it now but suffice to say it’s got the Rodigan MBE seal of approval.  He has been dusting the dubplates on his radio show and at gigs all over the UK and Europe - the response has been phenomenal.  You can hear one of the tracks and what Father Rodigan has got to say here.

Until next time.

Love & unity, Ashley x

It’s Cold And Too Dread………….

It’s that time of year when time is starting to crawl and everything seems to be slowing down for no reason but we all know really that it’s the bloody weather here in dear old Blighty! One hint of snow and we cannot cope.Civilization just breaks down….ha ha : )

Seriously, let’s get back to the good stuff. Some nice reggae music floating around at the moment (chart coming later). There is definitely a resurgence of good quality roots and dancehall coming in to the more sensible clubs at the moment. I found myself last Friday 3rd March down at the Paradise http://www.theparadise.co.uk/ djing to a young crowd with Jon Carter’s Monkey Mafia doing it live and the stuff that was making them move was our friend reggae. Monkey Mafia are definitely twisted that way with a some breaks and hip hop thrown into the mix. Very enjoyable! Check out some of their music on Soundcloud http://soundcloud.com/monkey-mafia

Across town down at East Village on the same night were my bredrin Rootikal who hosted their infamous Friday night session with father David ‘Ramjam’ Rodigan. From all accounts it was kingsize roadblock and the man let fly with his mix of reggae old and new then topped off with his legendary dubplates. Once again a good mixed crowd and also a lot of young ones in attendance. That’s healthy to hear. I tip my hat to the man David Rodigan who has done so much for the promotion of reggae music and also major big ups for him getting an MBE from dear Liz. He deserves it and i wish the press in general had more to say on the matter but that’s me just having a little moan.

Sunday 5th Feb i headed over to an early session at the Hanbury Arms in Islington for the latest session of my friend and DarkStarr partner DJ Cosmo’s CLASSIC ALBUM SUNDAYS http://classicalbumsundays.com/ A lovely relaxed affair with a top notch high grade audiophile sound system. We sat and listened to John Coltrane’s Blue Train album and on that system it sounded so beautiful. This is how music should be listened to and not a cd in sight : ) If you are planning on going to any of the future sessions buy your tickets upfront as it gets rammed.

Until next time………..

One Love

Ashley

ASHLEY BEEDLE’S TOP TEN ROOTS SEVENS FOR THE COLD SNAP…….

   1) Max Romeo - Natty Dread Taking Over - Attack

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGAIXZ_ycHU

   2) Little Roy/Dennis Brown/Heptones - Righteous Man - Matador

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8hs5vKw95Y

   3) Spiritual/Alborosie - Marathon = RJR Recordings

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-s3ItyP-zc

   4) Edi Fitzroy & Frankie Paul - Africa Is Calling - Digital B

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-s3ItyP-zc

   5) Devon Russell - Bible And Gun - White Label

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0iIqhSLZ9Y

   6) Al Campbell - Foot Stool - Chanan - Jah

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Wog6QX8H0Q

   7) Bernard Collins - Satta Me No Born Yah - Clinch Records

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlHlu9CVhRk

   8) Glen Brown - Away With The Bad Forward With The Good - South East Music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ11cGvMfuc

   9) Black Skin - They Never Love - Belmont Records

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtRbSssmt9g

10) Sugar Minott - All Kinda People - Black Roots

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi3jWTzXt_4

OUT HEAR EARTH TRANSMISSIONS/RADIO DITTO

Hi all, a heads up for you. For the last six months I have been working with top media gurus DITTO.TV recording a series of radio shows called OUT HEAR EARTH TRANSMISSIONS.  These shows go out monthly on their online station, Radio Ditto.

I really enjoy doing them and have properly immersed myself in the wonderful world of music, in a way that only a radio show can allow you. Musically i have touched base playing funky rock, soul, electronica, hip hop and reggae. In fact one of the shows was devoted just to reggae and punk and the links between the two genres. On the February 2012 show i will be bringing on my first guest (hopefully!),  Miles Copeland from The Superimposers and Wonderful sound fame http://wonderfulsound.com/ will be bringing his vibe for an hour which i am really looking forward to.  

Check out the links to the shows and also have a browse around the DITTO.TV site.

http://www.ditto.tv/radio/outhear.html

http://www.ditto.tv/

Here’s a link to a track i dropped on the last show…..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1h6OVwvAiIs

BOWIE, YOUNG AMERICANS, GIL AND ME

Well folks, it has been a positive start to the 2012. Economically it may be shit out there but i am feeling positive vibes and so are a lot of people around me. : )

It was nice to hear the David Bowie was 65 last week. Now there is a man who has been through some ch ch ch changes (sorry!) Like many of my generation he was a huge influence on me for style and the music, well what can you say an incredible body of work. My father was a collector of Bowie’s Ziggy period and then he seemed to stop at Diamond Dogs. Diamond Dogs was really my entry point. Bowie at this time was ditching Ziggy and heading into his plastic soul/Thin White Duke phase. That was my fave time for Bowie and for a lot of my compadres. I still play out Young Americans in my sets to this day. It never fails to ignite a room and I always get the younger crowd asking what it is. It still stands up. I could go on and on but check out the links below. Happy birthday Mr. Jones!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFudBQcplj4

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2012/01/07/david-bowie-turns-65-we-celebrate-the-music-legends-birthday-with-65-iconic-images-of-him-115875-23680999/

I went to the Bookslam launch of the late, great Gil-Scott Heron’s new book at the Clapham Grand. This man’s music has always been there for me in the turbulent and the good times. A capacity crowd tipped up and we were treated to readings. poetry (big up Kate Tempest!) and music based around the great man’s work. A few tears got shed believe me but it was a fitting tribute and i urge you to go out and buy the book which is called: THE LAST HOLIDAY: A MEMOIR. Here’s a link to a nice balanced review of the book.

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/the-last-holiday-by-gil-scottheron-6291803.html

I have been deep in the studio and have put to bed mixes for The Rapture - Children with DJ COSMO under are DarkStarr guise, some special dubplate mixes of material by Bob Marley & The Wailers in conjunction with my old sparring partner Dave Hill and also working on a new Yambee!! track with Yam Who? so keep your ears on alert and watch this space!

Below is my January 2012 chart. Until next time adios!

ASHLEY BEEDLE MODERN DANCEFLOOR TOP 10 JANUARY 2012

   1) Ifume - Jam At Haystack ( New wave Jazz Funk and the some!)

   2) Black Science Orchestra - Head Space Lullaby Part 2 (Back on my grind…)

   3) Larry Heard - Long Short Story (The Emperor Machine Version)- Supreme  dopeness!

  4) Wasserfall - Tuwa ( So very deep it hurts!)

  5) LayedSoul - Stories Of Africa (Drummin’ Mix) - Modern afro music for now.

  6) Soft Rocks - Wickerman (Cosmodelica Remix) - Dj Cosmo gets busy and get’s her Laurie on!

  7) Marc Smith - Stepping Back (Luke’s Space Throwback Mix) - Killer mix from Mr. Soloman. Head trip!

  8) Davem - Saxofonia (Sounds like Pharoah Saunders meets Nu Groove)

  9) Quantic & Alice Russell - Look Around The Corner (An amazing tune with love for Charles Stepney)

10) The Roots - Din Daa Daa ( Been slamming this again and by god it works!)

NEW TINGS AND NEW TIMES!

Well 2012 is definitely upon us and thank god! Seriously 2011 was a testing year for a lot of us personally and professionally but we ride through these times because we just have to.

Banks are still playing silly buggers, the muddle of the Stephen Lawrence case is now beginning to unravel in a good way now (i hope) check this link which is powerful and very poignant http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/danhodges/100126940/your-arrogant-racism-is-part-of-londons-past-an-open-letter-to-stephen-lawrences-killers/#disqus_thread

Times are getting tough on the job front and i am fearing for my children’s future. What’s going on! i seem to keep asking myself on a regular basis now. For me personally music always comes out and saves me…..for real. In these present times we are living in i hope we get a jolt of something new on the horizon. Something that will shake things up a bit (like Punk?) There is a lot of young cats out there with major talent and us older heads need to support them as well as keeping our scene strong.

For me it’s about community now. Locking heads and dreaming the dream and coming up with the righteous goods. I want my food and i am willing to work for it. Let’s take it to the stage people this can be a brilliant year!

A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Ashley Beedle

10 TUNES TO KICK DOWN THE DOORS

   1) 2 BEARS - TRIBUTE TO THE CONGOS (AFRIKANZ ON MARZ REMIX)

   2) TIM, CHAD & CHERRY - THE LOVE I MAKE (AFRIKANZ ON MARZ RED HAZE)

   3) JEB LOY NICHOLS - HARD TIMES (CURTIS LYNCH JUNIOR REMIX)

   4) YAMBEE!! - G ROCK ANTHEM

   5) MR SCRUFF - FEEL IT

   6) THE ART OF D & N - AVALON OF LOVE

   7) SUGAR MINOTT - MAN HUNGRY

   8) JULIO BASHMORE - WELL WISHERS

   9) WILL POWERS - ADVENTURES IN SUCCESS (DUB)

 10) ERNEST WILSON - I KNOW MYSELF (ROOTIKAL EDIT)

Catch me this Saturday 7th January @ Dalston Superstore. going to be kicking of the year in style!

http://www.facebook.com/events/199613073460215/

   

RIGHT ABOUT NOW……….. Notes From The Underground

It’s been a while since i have blogged but a strange year has definitely got in the way. Voodoo economics (to quote Mr. Scott Heron) , shysty politicians, personal shit! It’s all coming at ya…

The music has always dragged me out the mire , thank god. It’s the realm that i feel at peace in and the world in which i operate as a producer. artist or dj. Let’s catch up brothers and sisters……

Studio wise i have been busy building my OUT HEAR AUDIO label at the moment. Out now is the Pulp Disco & The Outcast 12” - Overnight To Dusseldorf that has been doing great guns http://www.facebook.com/PulpDisco still a view vinyl copies floating about and the digital will be dropping in January 2012. Getting ready to do some more Afrikanz On Marz music. Keeping this baby organic but trust me the album is coming! Other music to appear on OUT HEAR AUDIO in 2012 will be a project from Terry Farley/Mark Cooper, Italo 88, Yambee !!! (my joint project with Yam Who?) and some Ashley Beedle solo gear.

Remixes coming/around……..

Odyssey - Native New Yorker/O DJ KO (AFRIKANS ON MARS MEETS YAM WHO? MAIN CLUB MIX)

http://soundcloud.com/ism-records/odyssey-return-flight-remix

2 Bears - Heart Of The Congos (Afrikanz On Marz Remix)

Luke Solomon - Say Something (dropping early 2012)

http://www.piccadillyrecords.com/products/LukeSolomon-SaySomething-EclecticAvenue-80407.html

Check out my Modern Artifacts label as well: http://soundcloud.com/modern_artifacts

The new 12” is in the shops. Search and you shall find! It’s The Black Crowes on one side and flipped by a Rare Earth beauty….research!

I took some time out from deck spinning but i will be back on the 18th December with a special party called H E A D check the link: http://www.facebook.com/events/201981343217953/ Wicked vibes abound for this one…..

On the 23rd December is a Ballistic Brothers Reunion party at Ross Allen’s Meltdown Session The Social, Little Portland St, W1. This is pure roadblock with myself, Dave Hill, Rocky and Diesel dropping bombs…

Xmax day i am out the country in Italy and then back for the Electric Chair Riot on the 27th December. Check the link for a special mix i have done for the gig. http://soundcloud.com/electricchair/ashley-beedle-presents-riot

New Years Eve is a double header. Soulbrew @ East Village and then on to the Defected NYE party @ Proud2 . Check links below:

http://www.soulbrew.com/

http://www.residentadvisor.net/event.aspx?311911

Here is my latest chart and if you want to hear music like this get down to H E A D

  1) CORTEX - DEVIL’S DANCE/MARY & JEFF - DISQUES ESPERANCE 12”

  2) DISCO HEAT - BLACK SUN - BUDDHA 12”

  3) PAULINHO DA COSTA - RITMO NUMBER ONE - PABLO 12”

  4) GQ - YOU ARE THE ONE FOR ME - STADIUM 12”

  5) INNER CITY JAM BAND - THEME FROM BOB NEWHART SHOW - BAREBACK 12”

  6) JOHNNY WAKELIN - AFRO AFRIQUE - PYE 12”

  7) KARMA - FUNK DE MAMBO - HORIZON 12”

  8) HINO TERUMASA - THINK ABOUT IT - CBS/SONY JAPAN 12”

  9) STEVE WINWOOD - VACANT CHAIR - ISLAND 12”

10) KING SUNNY ADE & HIS AFRICAN BEATS - SYNCHRO SYSTEM - MANGO 12”

Until next time. Keep life real and love the one your with!

ONE LOVE

ASHLEY

PR/Label Assistant INTERN REQUIRED

Out Hear Audio Recordings and Modern Artifacts are two small but growing record labels owned by Ashley Beedle.  Out Hear is an outlet for a combination of Ashley’s own productions (under his own name or one of his many monikers - Warbox, Afrikanz On Marz, DarkStarr Diskotek to name just a few) and music he finds on his travels and falls in love with, and Modern Artifacts is label which releases strong, leftfield edits.  There are approximately ten releases per year on Out Hear and approximately six on Modern Artifacts.
We are looking for a Label Assistant intern to assist in the running of the label, and to assist with promotion, PR and press/radio plugging.  The candidate must - first and foremost - be passionate about quality dance music and be familiar with Ashley’s vibe and productions.  You might be a student (PR/media/journalism) or be looking for a break in to the music industry.  We are looking for a minimum commitment of around 8 hours per week, for a minimum period of 3 months. You will be in charge of updating social media channels and finding and developing new ways of promoting the labels and releases, maintaining and developing mailing lists and sending out newsletters and mailouts.  
We will work with you to identify in which areas you want to develop your skills and knowledge and ensure that you get something really solid out of the internship.  There may be a possibility of a small part-time role depending on the growth of the labels.  You will be expected to work from home but we will pay you out of pocket expenses.  You will need to have use of a laptop and an internet connection.
Please email vicky@ashleybeedle.com with your cv and a cover letter telling us why you think you’re suitable!

facebook.com/outhearaudio

facebook.com/modernartifacts

soundcloud.com/ashley-beedle