• Home
• /
• Entertainment

His music, our pleasure

Ashley Beedle is perhaps best known for his work with X-Press 2, reaching number two in the British charts in 2002 with ‘Lazy’, which featured Talking Heads frontman David Byrne on vocals.

The DJ is also renowned for remixing Bob Marley’s ‘Get Up, Stand Up’, mashing it together with son Damian ‘Junior Gong’ Marley’s ‘Welcome to Jamrock’ in 2005.

Ashley was born in the suburbs of London in 1962 to an English father and a Barbadian mother. His parents proved highly influential in shaping young Ashley’s musical tastes. He soon became fascinated by an eclectic range of artists and genres – everything from Bach to Al Green – and that diverse interest has remained with him to this day.

In the late 1980s, Ashley moved into DJing and became involved in projects such as The Black Science Orchestra, The Ballistic Brothers and, of course, X-Press 2.

His productions have been championed by all the greats from the UK dance scene – including John Digweed, Fabio & Grooverider and Danny Tenaglia – and he continues to DJ throughout the world in such far-flung places as Tokyo, Moscow and Ibiza.

City Times spoke with Ashley, aka ‘The Original Rudeboy’, prior to his visit to Dubai.

Can you tell us about your plans for the near future? Does X-press 2 have a new album in the pipeline?

We have no album planned but we are putting out some underground club singles. Back to our roots, so to speak.

You’re renowned for your eclectic taste in music – are there any genres which you can’t get into, or actively dislike?

Trance/Hard House. ‘Nuff said.

Do you ever hope to return to the upper reaches of the charts, or do you enjoy being slightly more removed from the mainstream?

If it happens it happens. I make music for pleasure. To be truthful, it’s nice being removed from the mainstream because you can move at your own pace.

What are you planning for your Dubai set?

Some funk, soul, disco, hip-hop and funky rock. How about that!

How did you come to work with David Byrne initially, and what’s he like as a friend and collaborator?

We came to work with David because he was a big fan of our Ballistic Brothers project. We sent him over the backing track to ‘Lazy’ and within a week we had a vocal back. He was a joy to work with. We haven’t seen him for a while but he still performs ‘Lazy’ at his live gigs.

Do you ever consider slowing down a little after so long in the industry?

I can’t slow down! I just love what I do, and I feel blessed after all this time to be in the music game. Outside of music I love socialising with my friends, reading, walking and spending quality time with the family.

Do you try to educate your children musically like your parents did with you?

I have three kids. My eldest daughter is dabbling in music journalism on the side. My two younger boys are definitely musical, but they think what I play is old hat. You should hear some of the stuff they’re into. It’s weird...ha ha!

Event details

What: iLL Communication presents Ashley Beedle at The Rooftop, Souk Madinat Jumeirah

When: Thursday 15th January, 10pm to 3am

Tickets: Dh125, available at OHM Records Store, www.itp.net/tickets and at the entrance.

For more information and table reservations, call Kumar Asnani on 050 725 8277 or e-mail kumar@electricmotel.com.

adam@khaleejtimes.com