Jacques Renault has little to prove to the world. Growing up amidst Washington D.C.’s Post-Hardcore scene, the DJ and producer relocated to Chicago, where he held a residency in the legendary Smart Bar before moving again, this time to New York. Having released his debut album Zentrum on his own Let’s Play House label, he has now returned with a digital full-length on the Swedish Local Talk. Jacques Renault Edits delivers exactly what it says on the tin: a dozen edits of tracks by HNNY, DJ Duke, Henry Rodrick and others. For us, Jacques Renault has listed his 20 all time favourite edits, ranging from Ron Hardy’s Disco re-interpretations for the Music Box floor to Talking Heads via Carl Craig and a Phil Collins edit.
15Vangelis – Let It Happen (Beatfanatic’s Balearic Boogie Remix)
Another favorite edit label, this one was always a standout for me, perfect rooftop vibes.
14Loleata Holloway – Hit and Run (Jamie 326 & Cratebug Edit)
Pretty standard in the bag stuff here, another classic rerub with nods to familiar things we love.
13Paper Dolls – Get Down Boy (Love On The Run Edit)
Richie gets away with his tension genius here, what a way to milk a groove.
12The Talking Heads – Once in a Lifetime (Carl Craig Edit)
Simple and effective, Moxie was a great series to collect em all.
11Indeep – Buffalo Bill (Cole Medina Edit)
Talk about an anthem, I couldn’t get enough of this back in the day.
10Made In USA – Never Gonna Let You Go (DJ Harvey Edit)
“Juicy Sushi” was never this good.
9First Choice – Let No Man Put Asunder (Ron Hardy Edit)
Listening back to Ron Hardy edits it’s tough to imagine what it would be like to hear him play out back in the day. He could really bring the tension out.
8GQ – Lies (Theo Parrish Ugly Edit #7)
Probably my favorite in this series, but they’re all good imo.
7Musique – Keep on Jumpin’ (Eddie C Edit)
Eddie always works wonders and this one works on any dancefloor.
6Radiance – You’re my #1 (Ray Mang Edit)
Mr. Mang has always been a favorite editor of mine and it’s tough to choose one Noid record so I’ll just leave this one here.
5Chic – I Want Your Love (Todd Terje Edit)
Olsen really flipped this edit for the best of two worlds bursting the Moodymann classic to the original glory.
4Gino Soccio – Love Is (Prince Language Edit)
Josh Taylor is one of the Chicago DJs I’ve know the longest. This series he did was easily a favorite of mine. My first edit on vinyl was on the flip of this but I just played his side to be honest.
3Janet Jackson – R&B Junkie (Mark E Edit)
Mark has a style like no one else and this showed his vision and was sort of the intro to Golf Channel into the world too.
2Imagination – Just An Illusion (Tiger & Woods Edit)
Pretty much put ’em on the map. Loop de loop heaven if you ask me.
1Serge Santiágo – It’s A War (Instrument Edit)
It’s pretty amazing how something simple can be this effective but this is no cut and tape edit, Serge truly put some extra effort in his edits to make them stick out like this one.
