Renegade Riddims: Aaron Jay & J-Skeptik

Aaron Jay

Influence Records was set up in 2008 by Aaron Jay. It is a label that pushes the deeper side of Drum and Bass. Aaron started DJing in 1997. In 2002 Aaron Jay found his residency at Fabio’s night, Swerve, playing every month to the dub hungry punters who like their rhythms soulful and funky. To support this, Aaron joined premier DJ agency Groove Connection, joining an A-List roster that includes Drum and Bass pioneers and Radio1 DJ’s, Fabio and Grooverider.

Known for playing Detroit Techno, Dub, Jazz, Rare Groove and deep inspired Drum and Bass, he has also gone on to perform at such legendary venues as fabric, Heaven, Brixton Academy as well as playing abroad. Aaron’s label, Influence Records, is supporting artists and released music from: Brother, ICR, Kjell, Bal, Data, Sinistarr, Delta & Format, Atom, RawQ, Random Movement, Mixmaster Doc, Specific, Dave Owen, Soul Intent, Mr Joseph, Atom, Flaco, Furney, Easy, Geeks, Sergio Manifesto, Jay Dubz, KMTR and Conrad Subs.

Aaron Jay has also teamed up in the studio with the mighty Lynx (Creative Source, Soul:r, Hospital) and has released music on 31 Records and Influence Records. Aaron Jay has recently launched ‘Influenced’ which is a dnb night aimed at the more deeper, liquid end of the spectrum. The first night included Fabio and Makoto and the second night, on November 30th at the Work Bar, London will see Lynx, Mr Joseph, Aaron Jay, J-Skeptik and SMJ grace the decks.

J-Skeptik

In 2015, J-Skeptik (Jay Bessant) became label manager for Influence Records. Jay first got involved with Drum and Bass through listening to old tape packs including Roast, Telepathy, Helter Skelter and Dreamscape. In 1999, aged 17, he got his first set of decks and hasn’t looked back since. He was a regular at Tripp2 Records in Southampton and struck up a good relationship with Anil (owner).

It wasn’t long before Anil started to offer him sets at the legendary Paradox events. From there, Jay went onto co-host the Codename:Headz show on UKBASS radio alongside his good friend Bobby Flex. The duo also set up the Codename:Headz night which was pushing the more cutting edge sounds of drum and bass within Southampton. With this exposure, he started to pick up more gigs and played for promoters including On A Mission (2016 Best Breakthrough Promoter at the National DnB Awards), Social:Beatz, Switch & Rebel Southampton and is also a resident for Riddm Dnb.

In 2014 and 2015, he had the privilege of playing at two Hospitality events (run by Hospital Records – the world’s largest drum and bass brand). 2015 also saw Jay’s first booking at the Soundclash Festival where he played to a crowd of 3,000 dnb enthusiasts. 2016 saw Jay get his first international gig in Amsterdam for the legendary ‘Cheeky Monday’ brand. Jay plays across the spectrum of Drum and Bass but has always had a passion for the more liquid, deeper vibes that this music brings.

Jay hosts a monthly Influence Records mix for the Goatshed where you can expect him to take you on a musical journey with a mixture of fresh, current music, dubs and older classics.

These two extraordinary DJs have come together to deliver a fresh mix of the music they love for our latest Renegade Riddims. Check it out below and download it here

Tracklist:

Just For Me – Subsid – Smooth & Groove Records
THUG – Blade – Innerground
Swrv – Alix Perez – 1985 Music
Breeze – Deeper South – Rstlssnss
Snapback – Conrad Subs – Soul Deep Dub
Tables Turning – Aaron Jay, Easy & Geeks – Influence Dub
King – Blade – Innerground
All My Love – Bladerunner – Hi Resolution
Chamber Funk – Conrad Subs – Influence Dub
4U – KMTR – Influence Dub
Oceanic – Conrad Subs – Influence Dub
Fine – Easy & Geeks – Influence Dub
Still On It – Dave Owen – Influence Dub
Primitive Technology – Conrad Subs – Influence Dub
Untitled Roller – Velocity – Jazzsticks
Concentrate – Bungle – Soul Trader Dub
Dream Forever – Jay Dubz – Influence Dub