Andy Bell (Ride) – The Ransom Note Mix

 
Music

It's a right royal honour for us to be able to bring you a mix from the legendary Andy Bell of Ride and that-Manchester-band fame. He certainly knows his stuff, the mix is filled with some absolute corkers that'll have you up on your feet in no time at all. He's a man who has spent the past few decades surrounded by music so it isn't surprising that he's been able to pull out a few absolute gems in this beauty. So, without any further ado, tune in to Andy Bell while we ask him all about the mix;

Please introduce yourself…
Who are you?

Andy Bell

Where are you?

London, England.

What are you?

I’m a guitarist / vocalist with the band Ride.

What is the mystery of love?

In the words of Emily Dickinson “That love is all there is, is all we know of love."

Some say happiness is easy, what makes you happy?

Love, Sunshine, Smiling, Kids at play, Writing tunes, Playing gigs, Messing around in my studio, Running around Hampstead Heath early in the morning.

How did the Bon Voyage remix on this mix come about?

Pure nepotism. Arveene of Bon Voyage is my brother in law. He contacted me, he knows the kind of electronic music I like to make, and he said they were after something a little slower than their usual style, so that suited me. My remix is around 112bpm, that’s where I feel comfortable. I don’t seem to make music faster than about 118. 

If you owned your own rocket, where would you go?

Kempton Racecourse.

What is sweeter than cinnamon air?

Frostie Air. (It's Grrrrrrrrrrreat! – Ciaran)

Where the best place to be watching the stars?

Strawberry Hill, Kingston, Jamaica.

If you could have carry/play a pocket-sized version of any instrument, which would you choose and why?

I could really do with a handy Grand Piano like the one Schroeder off Charlie Brown has. But it would have to sound like full size one. Otherwise I’m out.

Where is the logic in drones?

Do you have to ask? Drones create their own internal logic. Or, rather, your very biology does the work on the music’s way into your brain. Body Logic.

What would you do on a warm Dallas evening?

Eat a barbecued pig, and neck mint juleps with Pam Ewing, probably.

Where was the mix recorded?

In my front room. 

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?

It’s a good “getting ready” mix. Like, it starts around 90bpm and builds to just over 120. I would say, it’s early evening, you’ve been out in the sun drinking a couple of Peroni shandies by the beach, and you’re back at base camp getting ready for your evening. By the time it finishes you’ll be ready for a tequila shot and a good night out. The first time I did this track listing (more or less) I was warm up DJ for Bon Voyage at their London launch at the Ace Hotel. In my humble opinion, it did get the crowd ready for them pretty well. 

What should we be wearing?

Something from Shamon Cassette’s wardrobe. 

What would be your dream setting to record a mix: Location/system/format?

I would like to do an Alfredo type scenario, i.e. a beach bar, 3 or 4 hour set, play all of the Sade album and go from there, haha, well maybe not the Sade bit, but a long, chilled set. 

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

I love the Frankie Knuckles mix of 'Ain’t Nobody'. (Thanks to Raf of 2 Bears BTW for turning me on to Pocket Piano (Breakbeat Mix) by Kink, also a massive highlight)

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

David Rodigan – Fabric Live

If you could go back to back with any DJ from throughout history, who would it be and why?

Me and Arveene of Bon Voyage work very well together as DJs. I think he’s my ultimate back to back companion, we always have a good laugh, which is the point.

What was your first DJ set up at home and what is it now?

2 CDJ 800’s and a DJM 600. It still is now!

What’s more important, the track you start on or the track you end on?

For rock and roll sets I like to start with Link Wray’s version of the Batman theme. For the end I often put 'Rock On' by David Essex on both decks, turn the delay up, and kind of drift between both sides. It kind of ends things!

What were the first and last records you bought?

First – Blondie – Parallel Lines album on vinyl, 

The last time I went on a vinyl binge (it was on tour, sometime in the last month), here’s what I came home with:

Kate Bush “Wuthering Heights” 7"
Kate Bush “Running Up That Hill” 7"
Bangles “Hazy Shade Of Winter” 7”
Jane Birkin “Je Taime” 7”
The Bee Gees “Lonely Days” 7"
Bill Wyman “Je Suis Un Rock Star” 7”
Donovan “Sunshine Superman” 7”
Procul Harum “Whiter Shade Of Pale” 7”
Ringo Starr “It Don’t Come Easy” 7”
Tom Tom Club “Under The Boardwalk” 7”
The Dream Academy “Life In A Northern Town” 7”
Suzanne Vega “Left Of Centre” 7"
The Osmonds “Crazy Horses” 7”
Rod Stewart “Sailing” 7”
Queen “Bicycle Race” 7”
Eddy Grant “Do You Feel My Love?” 7"
Lee Perry “Roast Fish and Corn bread” / “Free The Weed” 7”
Junior Byles “Fever”/ King Medious “This World” 7”
Augustus Pablo “Vibrate On” / “Vibrate Dub” 7”
Toots & The Maytals “Monkey Man” / Version 7”
SWR “Close The Dam” 12” White Label
Donna Summer “Je Taime” 12"
Ennio Morricone “Escalation” LP
Stardust – OST LP
Anthology Of Dutch Electronic Tape Music 1966-1977 Double LP
Arthur Russell “The World Of Arthur Russell” LP

(Note – my 7” game needs to be strong because I am a regular DJ on the wheel of plastic at Piebury Corner, Islington, which is a 7” only thing. Although the Queen 7" is just for private use.)

If this mix was an edible thing, what would it taste like?

Skittles.

If it was an animal what would it be?

A Scuba Diving Dog.

One record in your collection that is impossible to mix into anything?

I heard Dot Allison DJ once and she absolutely slayed with 'Ace Of Spades' by Motorhead, the only thing is, what the hell do you play afterwards? 

Upcoming in the world of Andy Bell?

Lots of shows with Ride. Festivals through the rest of Summer. Tours of the UK and US coming up, tickets available from here.


Keep up to date with Andy Bell through Twitter.

Tracklist:

1/ Frak “Dallas Evenings”
2/ Nightmares On Wax “Jeep Beat”
3/ Antonym “Cinnamon Air” 
4/ King Sunny Ade “Synchro System”
5/ Chaka Khan “Ain’t Nobody (Hallucinogenic Version)”
6/ Talk Talk “Happiness Is Easy (12” Version)”
7/ Grace Jones “Pull Up To The Bumper (Remix)”
8/ Fela Kuti “Everything Scatter”
9/ Herbie Hancock “Rockit”
10/ Bon Voyage “Booshie (Andy Bell Remix)”
11/ Mr Fingers “Can You Feel It”
12/ Gene Hunt “A Land”
13/ Francis Inferno Orchestra “Watching The Stars”
14/ Daniel Avery “Drone Logic”
15/ Mr Fingers “Mystery Of Love”
16/ Shea Burke “Lonely Travels”
17/ Erol Alkan “A Hold On Love”
18/ Kink “Pocket Piano (Breakbeat Mix)"