By: SC
There were numerous times when I was coming back from a party and wanted to wind down on the way home. My go-to music for these moments, often referred to as the morning after soundtrack, was the Café del Mar compilations produced by the Godfather of Chillout, DJ and producer José Padilla, who sadly passed away in 2015. Padilla was a pioneer of the chill-out genre, blending ambient, downtempo, and Balearic beats to create a soothing, atmospheric sound that became synonymous with Ibiza’s sunset sessions. Today, I want to share a beautiful album that never leaves my record box: Padilla’s So Many Colours. This double LP captures the essence of his musical genius.
Released in 2015, So Many Colours stands as a testament to Padilla’s ability to blend diverse sounds into a cohesive and soothing experience. The album features a mix of downtempo, ambient, and Balearic beats, creating a lush, immersive atmosphere that transports listeners to a tranquil, sun-drenched beach.
This album is so versatile that I can play it at the beginning of my set, in the middle, or at the end—and I’ve done so quite often. So Many Colours seamlessly transitions from chill-out ambient tracks to downtempo rhythms and beautiful Balearic house music. It’s perfect for setting a relaxed mood at the start, maintaining a smooth flow in the middle, or winding down towards the end of a set.