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C.J. Bolland

Real Name:
Christian Jay Bolland
Profile:
Born in Yorkshire in 1971 but transplanted to Belgium when he was only three, CJ Bolland received an early education in dance music; his parents ran a club in Antwerp, and his mother DJed there. He grew up listening to the synthesizer music of several eras — from Jean-Michel Jarre to Front 242 and the Neon Judgement — but began devoting most of his time to house and techno by the late '80s. Bolland began producing in 1988, when a drummer friend gave him access to the right gear, and his tracks were soon heard on several Belgian pirate radio stations. He then sent demos to several labels, and finally heard back from R & S Records.
CJ Bolland's first production for R & S, the Project's "Do That Dance", jump-started his career, and he soon saw releases from his projects Pulse, Space Opera (with the Advent's Cisco Ferreira), Cee-Jay, Ravesignal and Sonic Solution. His 1992 "Ravesignal 3 EP" (specifically, the track "Horsepower") made Bolland one of the hottest names in the new global dance community.

Bolland made his album debut soon after, with "The 4th Sign". His 1993-94 schedule also included production work for Mundo Muzique, Dave Angel and Joey Beltram as well as remixing for Orbital, The Prodigy, Sven Väth, Westbam, Tori Amos and Baby Ford, among others. His second album "Electronic Highway" was released in 1995, after which Bolland signed a mammoth five-album deal with Internal Records. The first fruits of the contract, "The Analogue Theatre", were released in late 1996 to critical praise and dance-chart success, thanks to the excitable single "Sugar Is Sweeter".

He founded his own label "Mole Records" in 2002.
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Variations:
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Discography

Releases:
The 4th Sign (Album) (3 versions)   R & S Records 1992
DJ-Kicks (CD, Comp, Mixed)   Studio !K7 1995
Electronic Highway (Album) (4 versions)   R & S Records ... 1995
Neural Paradox (Maxi) (2 versions)   R & S Records 1995
The Starship Universe EP (12", Ltd + 10", S/Sided, Ltd)   Internal 1995
Sugar Is Sweeter (Single, Maxi) (5 versions)   Internal ... 1996
The Analogue Theatre (Album) (4 versions)   Internal ... 1996
Style - Stage 2 Into The Techno (CD, Comp, Mixed)   Toshiba EMI Ltd 1997
The Prophet (Single) (3 versions)   FFRR ... 1997
Ravesignal Vol II (12", RE)   R & S Records 2006
Remixes:
Beatstime (12") Beatstime (Remix) R & S Records UK 1992
Beyond The B-Sides (CD, Maxi) Magic Orchestra (Remix) Music Man Records 1992
Reactivate 6 - Trance Europa (CD, Comp) Magic Orchestra (C.J. ... React, React 1992
The Real Hardcore (Maxi) (2 versions) The Real Hardcore (CJ ... R & S Records 1992
I Need Your Lovin (Maxi) (2 versions) I Need Your Lovin (C.J... Pyrotech Records 1993
Lush 3 (Maxi) (6 versions) Lush 3-5 C.J. Bolland Internal ... 1993
Clubfffloor's Most Wanted Volume Two (Cass, Comp, Mixed) Lush 3-5 (C.J. Bolland... PolyTel 1994
I Still Think Of You (Too Much To Swallow PtII) (12", Promo) Highlander (C.J. Bolla... FFRR 1994
Sacred Spirit (Dance Remixes) (CD, Album) Tor-Cheney-Nahana (C.J... Virgin 1995
Wizards Of The Sonic (2 versions) Wizards Of The Sonic (... Wonderboy ... 1995
Beautiful People Remixes (CD, Maxi) Beautiful People (Insi... Bonzai Records, Lightning Records 1996
Mix Trax (CD, Comp, Mixed) Your Wildest Dream (CJ... Phuture Wax, Phuture Wax 1996
Winter Ceremony (Tor-Cheney-Nahana) (CD, Maxi) Winter Ceremony (C.J.'... Virgin, Virgin 1996
Flash .The Remixes. (Maxi) (2 versions) Flash (C.J. Bolland Re... Urban 1997
Break The System Down (CD, Comp, Mixed) Wizards Of The Sonic (... Feedback Recordings 2000
Hammerhead (CDr, Single, Promo) Hammerhead (C.J. Bolla... Super Belgium 2006
Production:
Order To Dance III (CD) Quest R & S Records 1991
Quest / Music (12")   R & S Records 1991
Beatstime (12")   R & S Records UK 1992
I Need Your Lovin (Maxi) (2 versions) I Need Your Lovin (C.J... Pyrotech Records 1993
Appears On:
In Order To Dance Two (CD, Comp) Exclusive Remix - Part... R & S Records 1990
Order To Dance III (CD) Quest R & S Records 1991
Quest / Music (12") Quest, Music R & S Records 1991
Beatstime (12") On The Move R & S Records UK 1992
Logic Trance (2xCD) Mezmorize Logic Records, BMG Ariola München GmbH 1992
American And European Technological Innovations Vol. 1 (2xLP, Comp) Mantra New Electronica 1993
In Order To Dance 4 (Comp) (2 versions) Nightbreed R & S Records 1993
The Age Of Trance - The New Generation Of Intelligent Dancemusic (2xCD, Comp) Mantra Dance Pool, Sony Music Entertainment (Germany), Dance Pool 1993
RaveBase Phase 4 (2xCD, Comp) There Can Be Only One Polystar Records 1995
UK Tribal Gathering '95 (Comp) (2 versions) Starship Universe London Records 1995
Beautiful People Remixes (2 versions) Beautiful People (Insi... Bonzai Records ... 1996
Dream Injection 3: Trance & Ambience (2xCD, Comp, Dig) Con Spirito Sub Terranean, Sub Terranean, Sub Terranean 1996
Megatripolis (3xCD, Comp, Mixed, P/Mixed + Box) Mantra (Original Mix) Funky Peace Productions 2000 Ltd 1996
The Annual II (Comp) (2 versions) Sugar Is Sweeter (Arma... Ministry Of Sound 1996
We Are One Family - 1996 Berlin Love Parade's Official Compilation (2xCD, Comp) There Can Be Only One Low Spirit Recordings 1996
DJ-Kicks (2xCD) Nightbreed Studio !K7 1997
Dream Injection 5: 3D Audio 3CD (3xCD, Comp, Dig) Nec Plus Ultra Sub Terranean, Sub Terranean, Sub Terranean 1997
Interceptor Remixes (CD, Maxi, Enh, CD2) Interceptor (C.J. Boll... Planet Dog 1997
Maxi Dance - Collector System Vol. 4 (CD, Maxi) Sugar Is Sweeter PolyGram Projets Spéciaux 1997
The Prophet (Maxi) (2 versions)   Orbit Records 1997
Human Traffic (CD, Comp + CD, Comp, Mixed) It Ain't Gonna Be Me, ... London Records 90 1999
Techno Muzik Classics (Comp) (2 versions) Horsepower Beechwood Music 1999
Dance Train Classics Vinyl 18 (12") Sugar Is Sweeter (Arma... 541 2001
U60311 Compilation Techno Division Vol. 4 (2xCD, Comp, Mixed) The Digger V2 Records, Inc. 2004
Space Bar (CD) Summer's Here (Buscemi... Sony BMG Music Entertainment (Belgium), Sony BMG Music Entertainment (Belgium) 2005
Tracks Appear On:
In Order To Dance Two (CD, Comp) Get Busy Time R & S Records 1990
In Order To Dance 4 (Comp) (5 versions) Nightbreed, Jungle Man R & S Records ... 1992
American And European Technological Innovations Vol. 1 (2xLP, Comp) Mantra New Electronica 1993
The Age Of Trance - The New Generation Of Intelligent Dancemusic (2xCD, Comp) Mantra Dance Pool, Sony Music Entertainment (Germany), Dance Pool 1993
In Order To Dance 5 (Comp) (2 versions) Austral Body Distance ... 1994
RaveBase Phase 4 (2xCD, Comp) There Can Be Only One Polystar Records 1995
UK Tribal Gathering '95 (Comp) (2 versions) Starship Universe London Records 1995
Vintage R&S Volume 1 (CD) Mindwar, Mantra R & S Records 1995
XXL Dance 7 (2xCD) Vanguard Columbia, Sony Music Entertainment (Belgium) 1995
100% Club Classix Vol. 1 (CD, Comp) Sugar Is Sweeter Telstar 1996
Dream Injection 3: Trance & Ambience (2xCD, Comp, Dig) Con Spirito Sub Terranean, Sub Terranean, Sub Terranean 1996
Electrocity Vol. 8 (CD) Con Spirito Ausfahrt 1996
Megatripolis (3xCD, Comp, Mixed, P/Mixed + Box) Mantra (Original Mix) Funky Peace Productions 2000 Ltd 1996
The Annual II (Comp) (2 versions) Sugar Is Sweeter (Arma... Ministry Of Sound 1996
The History Of Trance Part 1 '91-'96 (2xCD, Comp) Mantra Sub Terranean, Sub Terranean 1996
Vintage R&S Volume 2 (Comp) (2 versions) Camargue R & S Records ... 1996
We Are One Family - 1996 Berlin Love Parade's Official Compilation (2xCD, Comp) There Can Be Only One Low Spirit Recordings 1996
Club Cuts 97 Volume 2 (2xCD, Mixed, Comp) The Prophet (Original ... Telstar TV 1997
DJ-Kicks (2xCD) Nightbreed Studio !K7 1997
Dream Injection 5: 3D Audio 3CD (3xCD, Comp, Dig) Nec Plus Ultra Sub Terranean, Sub Terranean, Sub Terranean 1997
Elevator House (CD, Comp, Mixed) Sugar Is Sweeter (Arma... Elevator Music 1997
Maxi Dance - Collector System Vol. 4 (CD, Maxi) Sugar Is Sweeter PolyGram Projets Spéciaux 1997
Nature One Festival Volume 5 (2xCD) The Prophet (Original ... Urban 1997
Plugged In Electronica (CD) Sugar Is Sweeter PolyTel 1997
Techno Vibes (CD) Horsepower EMI Music (France) 1997
Flashback (2xCD, Comp) Camargue Alphabet Media 1998
Ibiza Anthems (2xCD, Mixed, Comp) Sugar Is Sweeter (Arma... Telstar TV 1998
Human Traffic (CD, Comp + CD, Comp, Mixed) It Ain't Gonna Be Me, ... London Records 90 1999
Resident. Two Years Of Oakenfold At Cream (2xCD) The Prophet (Original ... Circa Records Ltd. 1999
Techno Muzik Classics (Comp) (2 versions) Horsepower Beechwood Music 1999
Best Of Reactivate (3xCD + Box) Camargue React 2000
Dance Train Classics Vinyl 18 (12") Sugar Is Sweeter (Arma... 541 2001
Hands To Heaven - Experience The Ultimate Euphoric Sound Of Trance (2xCD, Comp, Mixed) The Prophet (Tyrone's ... Warner Dance 2002
ID&T Techno .03 (2xCD, Mixed, Comp) The Digger Universal TV 2004
U60311 Compilation Techno Division Vol. 4 (2xCD, Comp, Mixed) The Digger V2 Records, Inc. 2004
De Maxx Long Player 9 (2xCD, Comp) Sugar Is Sweeter Sony BMG Music Entertainment (Belgium) 2006
Switch 10 (3xCD, Comp) Sugar Is Sweeter La Musique Fait La Force 2007
The Essential Garage Collection (3xCD, Comp, Mixed) Sugar Is Sweeter (Arma... Ministry Of Sound 2009
Unofficial Releases:
Rich Pickings - Volume III (12") The Prophet Not On Label (Rich Pickings Series) 1997
Diversions (Cass) Lush 3-5 (C.J. Bolland) Expromt 2001
Back To Basics Mix-CD Vol. III (CDr, Mixed, Ltd, Promo) Mindwar Back To Basics (2) 2004
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YouTube Videos

CJ Bolland - The Analogue Theatre
▸ show all 2 reviews

Reviews & Discussion

Review by Alain_Patrick Jul 02, 2006 (edited over 3 years ago)
CJ Bolland's & Cisco Ferreira's tunes such as "Mantra", "Camargue" and "Nightbreed" are standards of a very special era in the history of avant-garde dance music, for they carried inside them a very accurate sense of feeling and inspiration, made by the brilliant alliance between these two producers at the time they were part of the legendary R & S crew, in Belgium, on the early nineties.

CJ Bolland's music were the kind that would be played by the real underground minds at their time, those with a deep comprehension and taste for bold, challenging sounds. CJ's early releases on R & S Records are a testimonial of how far would all these European talented kids could go through their commitment with the idea of creating a different music with a very personal perspective.

In 1993, the avant-garde legends DJs (such as Mau Mau and Renato Lopes in Brazil) included their tunes on their charts instantaneously, a sort of blessing for the regulars of legendary venues such as Columbia, Sra. Krawitz and Samantha Santa and many other historical Temples throughout the World.

CJ Bolland's sense of harmony, melody and emotion was far away from the average, for he always showed a deep passion for ART and the desire of making something innovative and musically aesthetic.
Review by moroder Oct 23, 2003
In the late of '95 the relationship between Renaat Vandepapeliere (the owner of the R&S label) and CJ had reached to a point where no cooperation was possible any more.
From the beginning they met CJ was very influenced by his big example Dave Angel.CJ began to experiment and searched for new ways in which to express his musical talents.These experiments wheren't being appreciated by Renaat, who thought it didn't match the profile of R&S.CJ was obliged however to deliver a quota of records for R&S.This period of his life he described as very depressing and he fell in to a big black hole."I was a total mess": he said.He described making the obliged records as "making love to a very ugly and gross woman".It was his good friend Kris Vanderheyden ("Insider") who pulled him out of the misery and put him back on the tracks.After the contract with "Eternal" CJ felt free at last.Not only was he free in his creations (even in his video clips he had the final word) but finally could he make a decent living of music again.
(source:interview CJ Bolland on local radio station "Club-X"-1996)
Nice detail: eventually CJ expressed his thanks to "Insider" to run off with his chick "Zohra" (known as the immensely beautiful lead vocalist from "2 Fabiola").The two have a relationship since a year now (2003).Marriage is rumoured!You heared it here first!