Asia-Pacific, Headlines

/ARTS WEEKLY/MUSIC-THAILAND: The French Master DJ and His Buddhas

Sonny Inbaraj

BANGKOK, Sep 7 2004 (IPS) - It’s difficult to describe Claude Challe – the French DJ behind the successful ‘Buddha Bar’ and ‘Nirvana Lounge’ chill-out CD series.

The master in the art of interbreeding sounds of Buddhist South-east Asia, Japanese Zen, the ethnic rhythms of India, the Caribbean and North Africa and mixing it with electronica as if it were a postcard of an epic voyage, has been described by some as an idiosyncratic figure in France’s musical landscape – a visionary rather than a musician.

Others have described the 58-year-old as a new age guru – handing out prescription Valium, in his music form, to calm both the body and soul.

”Music is a very interesting medicine. When you listen to my chill-out music after a hard day, just close your eyes. It is possible to fly – you don’t need to take a plane or car,” Challe tells IPS.

”This is the start of your spiritual journey and you must be brave enough to open yourself to the changes that are going to come to you,” he says as he relaxes on an easy lounge in between playing the introduction set to his Bangkok ‘Happiness” tour at the Zuk Bar – a popular haunt of the capital’s ‘high-society’ night denizens.

There are no throbbing disco lights in Challe’s musical journey at the Zuk – just lots of lit candles and incense to give ambience to the dark and gothic atmosphere.

”I really love Thailand. I’ve been travelling back and forth to this country for the past 30 years,” reveals Challe. ”I like the spirituality of the Thais and I think I’ll live here some day.”

The French DJ talks about his latest effort ”Happiness: For You Soul and Body” as the first track plays. It’s Billy Idol’s ”Adam in Chains” – a soft ballad of Idol’s trademark brooding vocals with the 1980’s style electro fill, by Challe, cruising through the backdrop.

”It’s a trilogy. ‘Buddha’, ‘Nirvana’ and now ‘Happiness’,” he points out. And the reason for ‘Happiness: For You Soul and Body”?

”With all the horrible things happening in the world today, I would like to bring some happiness,” answers Challe.

Challe’s CV boasts that he is an international DJ and a fashion and nightlife entrepreneur. And all of it is true.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Challe was a Parisian fashion entrepreneur importing clothes from the like of Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood.

By the 1990s Challe had turned his attention to the Paris nightclub scene, and is known as the man behind the Buddha Bar and Nirvana Lounge in Paris. Challe was also the resident DJ there and by blending his musical influences – house, ambient, North African, Asian, and a touch of French pop – he created Zen sound scapes of mellow beauty.

Challe’s mixes were sought after and he soon started the ‘Buddha Bar’ and ‘Nirvana Lounge’ CD series under his own label Chall’Omusic.

With a keen eye on the franc Challe also managed to turn around Les Bains Douches, a fading punk venue into Paris’s premier nightspot.

Yet a large part of his reputation comes from his association with celebrities through his nightclubs and his reputation as a ladies man.

It is rumoured that he teamed up with U.S. actor Jack Nicholson and chased women during his wild Paris nightclub days.

”Oh, Jack Nicholson is still my very good friend,” Challe laughs as his Paris days are brought up. ”We even had (Polish film director) Roman Polanski in our gang.”

”My first job was a hairdresser and I became one because I really love women and like to be close to them,” he reveals.

But it was Challe’s roots in North Africa that made him aware of his ‘higher calling’ to create a global music form – tapping into the passion for all things Eastern.

He talks about his childhood and early days.

”I was born in North Africa, in Tunisia. When I was three I moved to France with my parents. I was sent to a Jewish school and my parents wanted me to be a rabbi. I think they were disappointed when I left the Jewish school,” he says.

Adds Challe: ”When I was around 18, I began travelling. I travelled to India, Nepal and Thailand and other countries. That’s how I discovered new cultures, traditions, lifestyles and even philosophy.”

And the French DJ has never stopped travelling.

”I’m lucky to be able to travel everywhere and find good music wherever I go…and be inspired by it,” says Challe.

Having found international success, Challe says it’s time to slow down and get serious especially after the tragic events of Set. 11, 2001.

”I’m actually beginning serious things in my life. I just finished a book – it’s a biography and also my views about the madness of global politics. I think we’re going on the path of destruction of the human race.”

Challe says his next calling is to help the world’s children.

”If the energy in my me does not die off, I really want to do something for them,” he says. ”There’s innocence in children and we need to take care of them because they are our future in these very uncertain times.”

Challe has also made a pledge with himself for the next decade.

”We must heal and change ourselves before we try to change the world and that will be my fight for the next 10 years,” he says. ”We really need to change. It’s quite obvious today that things are just not quite right and world peace is at stake.”