With a career that spans almost 25 years in the game, Justin Robertson is a name that is not to be sniffed at. Cutting his teeth at Manchester’s legendary Hacienda, Robertson went onto become a key figure in the city and an integral member at Eastern Bloc Records whilst running his own Sunday night parties with comrade Greg Fenton, before starting Most Excellent after the club’s closure.
He’s remixed the likes of Björk, Happy Mondays, Paul Weller, New Order, The Chemical Brothers and Fatboy Slim, among many others, made tunes under the guises of Deadstock 33, Lionrock and Revtone (even appearing on Top Of The Pops) and collaborated with everyone from Daniel Avery, to Tim Burgess and Boy-8-Bit. His formidable relationship with esteemed party starters Bugged Out saw his residency with them span over a decade so this man’s skills are not to be taken lightly.
Now, he steps away from party vibes into a more ambient zone. Providing nothing but soothing sounds for this week’s sleep soundtrack, drift into dreamland with Justin Robertson’s perfect Slumber Session.
The party’s still going strong, but you want to call it a night. What track do you pop on when everyone’s still raving and it’s time to go to sleep? As a former psychonaut with an aversion to sleep, I would often stay up until the cockerel crowed, these mind expanding sessions were generally very pleasant, and so not wanting to blow the good vibes; me and my friends devised a system where by we had certain code records, that when played, would signify the end of our revels, without the need to demand everyone leave. Mine was Telstar by the Tornados.
Where do you go when the record ends and the lights come on?
There was a time when the answer would have been ”anywhere that’s still open” or in fact ”anywhere”. Now its more decompression with a book and commune with my pillow.
After a hectic tour schedule, you finally get home, what track do you put on to kick back and relax? I don’t have a set routine like that, the music I listen to shifts all the time, but currently I’d say its Logos, Firesides And Guitars. My friend Richard Hector-Jones put me onto it. Very uplifting, the band look like members of a Christian cult.
Do you ever fall asleep to music, and if so what do you play?
I remember putting on a This Mortal Coil album once that had a very soothing quality, until about three quarters of the way in, where the reverie is punctuated by a child screaming, I almost fell out my duvet. I think I find it hard to go to sleep with music on, I get into too much, I’d be up all night trying to research the artist’s discography.
What’s the best dream you’ve ever had?
I can never really remember them too clearly, but some are quite exciting. Last night I dreamt my wife Sofia and I had bought a derelict house which we did up, it was lovely, and even had a swimming pool. However due to my late night ingestion of cheese; the dream soon became a nightmare as we were assailed by a fearsome goblin army. I could see them waiting at the water’s edge as I watched, helpless at the bottom of the pool.
Who is the last person you kissed goodnight?
Usually it’s my wife Sofia, but last night our dog Monty licked me on the face.
You’ve caught each other’s eye across a crowded dancefloor. What do you play to ensure things move from the box to the bedroom? Ministry, Jesus Built My Hotrod.
Sleep is always the hardest to come by when you need it the most. What track is guaranteed to bring on the shut eye after a heavy weekend? Like I say music tends to be a stimulant for me, it’s always ”one more tune” in our house, but I guess Brian Ellis and Brian Granger, At Dusk is quite soothing, but already I’m thinking let’s listen to some of Brian’s other work.
What track makes you want to cuddle up to the one you love?
John Martyn, Couldn’t Love you more. It was the first dance at our wedding, well more of a kisy shuffle.
What song gets you out of bed in the morning?
Bo Diddley, Who Do You Love. The epitome of rock n roll, not that I am you understand, but still, it gets you going.
What is the most relaxing track/ mix/ playlist in your collection? And what do you like to do when listening to it?
If I’m honest I’m not that into relaxing, I get restless, and music makes me want to jump about, but there are a few good trippy numbers in this mix, its more of a trance like state than relaxing, like a shamanic spa. I love that Abba song Like an Angel Passing Through my Room, first time I heard it I thought it was the Cocteau twins.
Finish the sentence, the music sounds better with…
…Imagination and magic