So when he’s not travelling the world with the band or as a DJ, Ashley tends to be on the remix desk by the looks of his lenghty discography. There’s so many examples of his work but we recommend the Afrikans On Marz version of Amadou & Mariam’s ‘Coulibaly’ or our favourite, Damian ‘Welcome to Jamrock’ Marley remix (see links below). However, lately, he’s been in the studio working on his new solo project.

Known for his ability to fuse disco, jazz, and techno, the somewhat oddly entitled, ‘The Balloon Room’ also includes the strings of a Love Unlimited Orchestra with some street block rockin’ funk synth keys. I defy anyone to say they don’t love this. OK, I suppose I need to exclude 13 year Goths for a start but otherwise you should be on a winner here. The bass in thumpin’ too!

The ‘reprise’ is a really mellow instrumental version with the chitter chatter of kids in the playground which is a little off putting; that’ll be the balloon room then? And is that a bit too close to “come on honey, tell me so”? (Ed. Hectic, it was a long time ago, get over it!)

‘Height’ gets some downtempo dubbed vocals on a jazzy guitar riff and takes us towards the disco stratosphere. It’s unusual and the instrumental version is one for us fans of the further out cosmic jazz-funk grooves.

Ashley is reaching ever-larger audiences with the outstanding remix of the single, ‘Rain Falls Down’ (by a well known rock band) which certainly beats the original version hands down, check it out on his Soul Machine - 2005 Mastermix via the website links below.

I’m pleased to hear he’s going to drop the multitude of pseudonyms now and if this EP is anything to go by, the forthcoming solo album is sort of back to his roots (lets not forget his role as the father of Afro Art Records) with a modern update. Now that sounds good to me.

Hectic Mix nomination: ‘The Balloon Room’ or ‘Height’ (Dimension Version)

Reviewed: Ashley Beedle - The London Heavy Disco Revue (Out Hear Audio) Cat. No. OH001 12” Release date: April 2006
Tracklisting:
A1. The Balloon Room (8:13)
A2. The Balloon Room (Reprise) (2:51)
B1. Height (4:16)
B2. Height (Dimension Version) (4:04)

Links:
www.ashleybeedle.co.uk
Tunetribe Downloads
Hectic’s N-E-X-T-W-O-R-L-D #2 including Amadou & Mariam - ‘Coulibaly’ (Ashley Beedles Afrikans On Marz Vocal) (Because) [2005]
Brownswood Two mixes for download on Ashley’s site: Soul Machine and “one reggae one”
1) Chris Energy - ? - Music Is…
2) J-Nova - ‘Hey Baby !’(Promo)
3) Reel People - ‘Rain’ (Rafa Dub) (Defected)
4) Only Freak - ‘Can’t Get Away’ (Solid Groove Mix)(Freerange)
5) Third World - ‘Talk To Me’ (Blaze Remix) (Shout)
6) David Murray - ‘Gwotet’ (Yoruba Soul Remix) (Justin Time)
7) Ron Trent & Quentin Harris - ‘Happiness’ (Need2Soul)
8) The London Heavy Disco Revue - ‘The Balloon Room’ (Out Here Audio)
9) Ottoman - ‘Otto’ (Test Pressing)
10) The Rolling Stones - ‘Rain Fall Down’ (Ashley Beedle Heavy Disco Edit) (Virgin)
Rod Stewart - Do You Think I’m Sexy (Lyrics)