I like disco edits, you like disco edits, everyone likes disco edits. Disco edits are sort of like ice cream in that you could probably never truly love someone who didn’t adore them. Perhaps that’s why I’m single, though that’s a story for another website. Let’s get back to the edits, and more specifically, a brand new label that’s spring out of Dublin.
Orange Tree Edits have burst into life with the absurdly addictive Afro Edits Vol.1 12″ which hits shops today. As the title suggests, the release sees Jimmy Rouge turn in two stomping, sweaty edits of Afro-disco records that are guaranteed to slay any decent dancefloor.
Videos by VICE
Rouge’s take on “Fo Ya”, which we’re premiering exclusively on THUMP, is an absolutely outrageous belter that’s given us an even bigger Friday feeling than smashing through a four pack of Crunchies washed down with a few litres of knock-off Red Bull. We’ve had a chat with the OTE squad, too, so check it all out below.
THUMP: How does one go about starting a afro-disco label out of Dublin?
Jimmy Rouge: For all that the distributors and pressing plants know, I’m in Timbuktu. Broadband is a budding label owner’s best friend (preferably fibre optic). Plus, I’ve been lucky enough to have a friend at Wolf Music Recordings who has given me the support and advice I needed to get this music out of my Dublin studio and into some of my favourite record shops. Expect to see more afro-disco edits in the next few months and some of my original productions to follow.
What was your introduction to the dance music of Africa?
Does Toto’s “Africa” count? If not, then I’ll go with Bola Johnson and it would be hard not to mention Fela Kuti and William Onyeabor. DJs like Hunee and Antal have also been very influential in introducing me to the delights of rare afro-disco and African music more generally.
Why are disco edits the best thing ever?
Good disco edits infect a dancefloor like a rampant joy virus, leading to grown men wearing their trousers on their head—something I’ve seen happen several times in Dublin.
The Afro Edits Vol 1 EP is out now on Orange Tree Edits
