edits

The Groovy History of Edits: From Vinyl to Virtual

Edits, like a good pair of jeans, have been around for ages, evolving with the times. It all started in the analog era with disco edits – DJs chopping up tracks to create extended dance floor mixes. Think Thelma Houston’s “Don’t Leave Me This Way” with its iconic extended outro, or Chic’s “Le Freak” with its funky basslines stretched to infinity.

Then came the hip hop era, where editing became an art form itself. Grandmaster Flash became a legend for his intricate “breaks” and DJ Kool Herc for his “merry-go-round” technique, turning turntables into musical instruments. These DJs were the original remixers, taking existing tracks and giving them a whole new life.

But the real edit explosion came with the digital revolution. Software like Ableton Live and Logic Pro made editing accessible to anyone with a laptop. Suddenly, anyone could be a DJ, slicing and dicing their favorite tracks with the click of a mouse. This led to the rise of bootlegs – unofficial remixes that often pushed the boundaries of taste.

Funny Facts:

• Thelma Houston actually hated her “Don’t Leave Me This Way” edit, finding it “over the top” and “too long”. She probably didn’t anticipate it becoming a disco anthem.
• Grandmaster Flash was once stopped by the police for playing music too loud. When asked why he had so many records, he said: “I need them all. Each one has a different break.”
• DJ Kool Herc’s “merry-go-round” technique involved spinning two copies of the same record, dropping the needle at the same spot, and then creating a loop by switching between the two turntables. It was an ingenious way to extend the danceable parts of a song.

Today, editing is ubiquitous. From radio edits to TikTok remixes, it’s a fundamental part of how we experience music. The line between original and edited is increasingly blurred, with artists often incorporating editing techniques into their songwriting and production.

So, next time you hear a catchy hook or a killer beat, remember the history of edits: a testament to human creativity, ingenuity, and the sheer joy of making music move.