TJ Rehmi – The fusionist
TJ Rehmi (aka Jav Rehmi) is one of UKs most creative and innovative musicians. A critically acclaimed but reclusive artist who has often shunned the limelight, Rehmis unique style of music has inspired and influenced countless musicians, DJs and discerning fans around the world. As a guitarist, composer and producer, he has been a pioneering figure who, from the early 1990s in the UK, experimented with Asian influenced sounds that were later to become part of the international Asian Underground movement. His work includes recording and performing as a session guitarist, producing 5 solo albums, performing as a DJ, remixing, collaboration work, co-writing and studio production. During the early 80s, Rehmi studied and played guitar with local funk, rock and reggae bands before joining Saxophonist Andy Hamiltons Jazz band as a rhythm guitarist. A few thousand chops later and with guitar in hand, Rehmi explored the burgeoning bhangra scene as a session player and soon was in high demand. Session after session, Rehmi became interested in recording and started producing and arranging for some of UKs top bhangra bands from the mid 80s to the early 90s. Touring with these bands also gave Rehmi the opportunity of visiting other countries such as America, Canada, Germany, Holland, Denmark, France and Dubai, providing an ever-growing musical fodder. During the early 90s, Rehmi went back into education to study Education and Music at Birmingham City University/Birmingham Conservatoire where he had the opportunity to study composition and play guitar with Indo Jazz fusion composer John Mayer. After a short time in the teaching profession, Rehmi went back into music full time and became heavily involved in studio recording. He began to incorporate all of the sounds, rhythms, and styles he heard into his own music and found himself getting more and more into technology. Progressing from tape machines to computers, he eventually built his own studio, the Mood N Bass Lab. Retreating underground into a studio-hideout, Rehmi concocted symphonies of sound with machines. His 1996 appearance on Londons Nation Records with the track is it legal was met with great acclaim. It was followed with his debut E.Ps THE FUSIONIST and SKRUTINIZER in 1997, and then his critically hailed 1998 debut album MINDFILTER, the 1999 follow-up, MERA THERAPY, then RAAG DIGITAAL in 2000, a collaboration with producer Ravi Bal. Then followed a publishing deal with Peter Gabriels Real World Works and album INVISIBLE RAIN in 2001 for US label Shakti Records and, in 2003, THE WARM CHILL for New York label Dharma moon. In 2006, he produced and co-wrote the RHYTHM OF LIFE album with artist Emilia Sosa for NY label 5 Points Records. As well as doing session guitar work for countless other producers, Rehmi has done remixes for the likes of Natacha Atlas, Trilok Gurtu, Shaukat Ali, Russian Rock band Mumiy Troll, Sheila Chandra and DJ Cheb I Sabbah. Rehmi has also played his music at venues across the world including a fashion show in Paris, Art exhibitions and clubs in London, performances at Glastonbury festival, the Eden Project for Womad, festivals and concerts in Spain, Switzerland, Austria and New York. Rehmi continues to work from his studio and through his label, Khoob Music, is collaborating with Real worlds Long Tale Recordings on the release of his next album, Axis Of Ignorance.
