C-Jay is a true pioneer of the Dutch electronic dance scene, a much respected and highly regarded, multi-tasking producer/DJ/label boss/club promoter/music business man. His “The Sessions” parties are legendary, and in his native Holland he is mentioned in the same breath as fellow Dutch DJs Per and Remy for consistent contributions to the scene.
Over the years C-Jay has produced numerous releases on some of the world’s most respected music labels, and his dedication to his own distinctive interpretation of forward-thinking music means he is firmly established as an international artist, and excitingly, has enjoyed a real renaissance of late, most recently signing this chilled ‘BackSlider’ 6-track mini-LP to John Digweed’s Bedrock Records. So he’s a perfect candidate to select some evocative music and take you ‘Back To Mine’…
1. Jean Michel Jarre – Waiting For Cousteau
Without any doubt my biggest musical hero ever. If anyone should be in this list, it’s him. I’m such a huge fan, it’s just silly… and when asked to to make this ‘Back To Mine’ selection, Jean Michel just has to be in it. This stunning 46 minute (!) piece of pure ambient music has really grown on me throughout the years. When it first came out in 1991, I always skipped it on the album, and now years later its an all-time favourite of mine. Perfect after hours music. Bliss, pure bliss!
2. Vangelis – Pinta, Nina, Santa Maria (Into Eternity)
Not as big of an idol for me as Jarre, but nevertheless I really admire Vangelis. He’s one of the big boys, literally. And this 13 min masterpiece is breath-taking. This is taken from the ‘Mutiny on the Bounty’ soundtrack and when I play chillout sets, this is always in there.
3. Wadsworth – Interstellar
I love it when chillout tracks have trance influences – emotion and chord change-wise. This for me is the perfect example. The whole vibe just oozes trance, but without the beats. Highly emotional afterhours stuff.
4. E-Mantra – Snow Began To Fall
I listen a lot to 24/7 chillout channels on the Internet or through my TV. I often use Shazam to discover titles and artists, and last year this was one of those little diamonds I discovered. It is chill, it is breaks, it is high-end electronica and it has a psytrance vibe to it. Lovely!
5. Delerium – Silence – Michael Woods Remix
Well…what’s there to say? Timeless classic. Period. And everyone knows the track or has at least heard it once at a beach or afterparty.
6. The Orb – Little Fluffy Clouds
Again, a classic track that just has to be in this list. Part of the soundtrack of my youth. I played ‘Adventures Beyond The Ultraworld’ over and over again when I was about 15 years old. Want an inside secret? Check out my track ‘BackSlider Part 5’ (Bedrock) and see if you recognise the female sample?
7. Schiller – Tiefblau
Schiller… I have a love / hate affair with his music, honestly. It can get pretentious real fast, but when he’s good, he’s really good…. And this track is one of his better ones for me. The perfect balance of being close to kitsch and a well-produced tearjerker.
8. Jean Michel Jarre – Rendez Vous 3
When asked what I want to have played on my funeral this track has been my answer for the past 25 years. Some might call it over-the-top, I call it heaven. Goosebumps all over. And maybe not a pure chill track, but close enough.
9. Vangelis – Dawn
Just as Jarre, Vangelis is well worth mentioning twice in this list. This track is called ‘Dawn’ and it’s just exactly that – when you hear it you truly hear what a sunrise sounds like. Whenever I get asked to play a chill set at sunrise, expect this track (yes, this is an invite to you promoters out there).
10. C-Jay – BackSlider Parts 1 – 6
And, of course, I have to finish by putting myself in this list…hahaha… On April 4th my new album came out on Bedrock. And I’m just so proud and happy to be on this label I’ve been a fan since Bedrock’s first release. The album is a mixture of chillout, ambient and 70’s electronica, and is the result of almost 2 years studio work. Go grab it at Beatport to check it out. Thanks.
C-Jay – BackSlider Parts 1-6 (Bedrock)
C-Jay is a true pioneer of the Dutch electronic dance scene, a much respected and highly regarded, multi-tasking producer/DJ/label boss/club promoter/music business man. His “The Sessions” parties are legendary, and in his native Holland he is mentioned in the same breath as fellow Dutch DJs Per and Remy for consistent contributions to the scene.
Over the years C-Jay has produced numerous releases on some of the world’s most respected music labels, and his dedication to his own distinctive interpretation of forward-thinking music means he is firmly established as an international artist, and excitingly, has enjoyed a real renaissance of late, most recently signing this ‘BackSlider’ 6-track mini-LP to John Digweed’s Bedrock Records.
The mini-LP is a 1-hour musical experience split into 6 distinctive parts. Whilst not entirely strictly downtempo in style, Parts 1-6 are diverse movements of atmospheric ambient electronica of the highest order – contemplative, hypnotic, enthralling journeys, with so many wondrous elements that repeated listening always brings new, previously unnoticed parts to the fore.
A teaser campaign to introduce C-Jay to Bedrock fans began when the opening track ‘BackSlider Part 1’ was previewed on last summer’s excellent ‘Underground Sound of Ibiza Series 2’ (Bedrock) compilation, and continued with the ultra-hypnotic ‘BackSlider Part 3’ being previewed on John Digweed’s most recent ‘Live In Montreal’ (Bedrock) opus. Now, the full musical jigsaw puzzle of ‘BackSlider Parts 1-6’ is completed in style. With talent and diverse releases like this, 2016 is already shaping up to be an amazing year for electronic music!
C-Jay’s rigorous studio output means he already has a hectic summer of performances being lined-up, with slots scheduled for Pleasure Island Festival, Mystic Garden Festival, Wasteland, Recycle Lounge and a secret under-the-radar summer festival to be announced soon.
C-Jay – BackSlider Parts 1-6 (Bedrock) Beddigi77 Release: 4th April 2016
Further Info:
https://www.facebook.com/cjayamsterdam/
http://www.c-jay.eu
Bedrock Info:
www.bedrock.uk.net
www.johndigweed.com
www.bedrockmusic.bigcartel.com
www.facebook.com/bedrockrecords
www.twitter.com/#!/BedrockRecords
www.youtube.com/user/bedrocktransitions
