New label to reissue '90s and early '00s Irish dance music records

A new label has launched with a focus on reissuing classic and forgotten Irish electronic music from the ’90s and early ’00s.

Arís’ first release comes in the form of a reissue of two tracks from Irish trio Bumble’s progressive house-inspired 1992 EP ‘West In Motion’. The ‘Banana Mix’ and ‘Hard Mix’ of the EP’s titular track have been remastered for the reissue, marking the release’s 30th anniversary.

Bumble, a press release explains, formed in 1991, consisting of musicians Matt Early, Hugh Drumm and producer Fintan McDonald. Taking influence from early ’90s rave music, particularly tracks such as Cubic 22’s ‘Night In Motion’, the trio aimed to mix the burgeoning rave sound of other parts of Europe with traditional Irish music. “They entered Bow Lane Studios in Dublin eager to experiment with this rather unusual pairing with the hopes of producing one of Ireland’s first house singles,” a press release says.

It continues: “Soon after, McDonald invited DJ duo Dave McDonnell and Mark Crumlish (aka The Banana Boys) in to help ‘rave’ up proceedings. The pair were gigging a lot at the time while also working in Ruffin Records in Dublin’s City Centre, so this helped renew the studio sessions with a refreshing club-focused direction.” Early results from those sessions caught the interest of U2’s Mother Records, which signed Bumble for 1992’s ‘West In Motion’ EP.

Andrew Weatherall was enlisted to remix the title track for the original release, and though his version doesn’t appear on the reissue, Irish duo Brame & Hamo have been tapped to provide their own update on the track for Arís’ reissue. The full release is due out on 7th February.

Preview the EP below ahead of the full release next month.