Chillout

Chillout is a mostly electronic music genre with no exact definition but can be seen as a modern form of easy listening. Styles associated with chillout are e.g. downtempo, lounge, ambient, world music and even some jazz. Its main characteristics are slow tempos and a relaxed mood along with a mixture of electronic and acoustic instruments.

The origins of chillout can be traced back to 1989's London and the club »Heaven« where they had »The White Room«: an area where the guests could relax and »chill out« from the »heat« on main floor and dj Alex Paterson of ambient house group The Orb played ambient mixes of sources like Pink Floyd and 10CC.

Widespread popularity of chillout can be credited to Ibiza's bar »Café del Mar« and the ambient house mixes played there from sources like jazz, classical, hispanic and new age – and especially its resident dj José Padilla who compiled the first »Café del Mar« album which lead to a series of over 20 volumes and a Café del Mar record label.