Thu, 15 Apr 2010 / Post a commentTo celebrate the release of their remix of "Revolution" by Mavis ft. Candi Staton, Cosmo and Ashley Beedle of DarkStarr have created an exclusive mix of Revolutionary Dance Music. There has been a debate as to whether Dance Music is purely for escapism or if it can be socially aware. Have a listen to the mix and you can make your own decision.
Remember, "A Revolution without dancing is a Revolution not worth having." - V for Vendetta
DarkStarr is Ashley Beedle and Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy, returning with their residency at North London’s the Horatia – a brand new venue which has already been graced by the likes of Faze Action, Trojan Soundsytem and Greg Wilson.
'Cosmic Disco' 'Acid House' 'Psychedelic' 'Balearic' - these are the overused and misunderstood terms used to hype today’s dance music scene and Ashley Beedle and Cosmo give this music the respect it deserves whilst putting the soul back into the party.
This next party marks the release of Mavis ft. Candi Staton - "Revolution" (DarkStarr Mix) the exclusive track written by Candi for Ashley Beedle’s MAV!S project. Darkstarr’s remix is being released on Bitches Brew on Monday 12th April. David Mancuso (The Loft, NYC) played it twice at the Lucky Cloud party on Sunday and Candi loves it so much that she is featuring the mix in her own live set! Its already getting play by Craig Charles on BBC 6 Music to Jazzy B from Soul to Soul on BBC London Live and has been playlisted on Ministry of Sound radio.
It will be released as part of the Bitches Brew limited edition 10-inch series with hand silk screened jackets and hand stamped labels. This is a follow up to debut release of the series, Horace Andy & Ashley Beedle "When The Rain" (Cosmodelica Mix) which was a huge success. Heads up to the vinyl lovers!
The DarkStarr remix of Candi Staton is revolutionary in its own right and not just lyrically. At a time when producers are re-editing original music, pilfering vocals samples and selling them as their ‘own’ work to make a quick buck, this remix stands as a new and ‘ORIGINAL’ performance with the Queen of Disco with something serious to say.
Likewise regarding Darkstarr’s approach to DJing and drawing on Cosmo’s experiences at the Loft and Body & Soul, DarkStarr has the DJs playing together as a one-on-one stream of consciousness rather than sets that break up and fragment the vibe. They play without boundaries and let the music do the talking, playing records in full and letting them tell a story.
DarkStarr - putting the funk and soul back into the party.
With their first hand experience Ashley and Cosmo stand in a class of their own. Ashley has been London’s premier Soul Boy for decades. His work under the monikers of X-Press2 (with Rocky and Diesel), Black Science Orchestra, Heavy Disco and Ballistic Brothers proves Ashley is one the few DJ/producers that can be both diverse and credible at the same time.
Cosmo draws on her heritage from the other side of the pond. Her tutelage by David Mancuso within The Loft is unique within today’s generation of DJs and her New York City radio shows of house, disco and psychedelic rock tuned in and turned on a generation of new listeners from the late 80’s onwards.
For more information on Darkstarr & Revolutionary Dance Music head to:
