When Jean Jacques Smoothie burst onto the scene in 2001 with the Minnie Ripperton sampling, soulful house anthem, 2People he captured the euphoric spirit of a generation of clubbers with a track that still sounds fresh on dancefloors today. Nearly a quarter of a century later, he’s back with a promise fulfilled, a debut album finally complete, and a renewed mission to make people move.

Smoothie’s music has always been about feel-good energy with a touch of quirky sophistication. His signature sound blends warm organic grooves, lush vocal hooks, and a timeless sense of melody that connects underground credibility with crossover appeal. From late-night clubs to daytime radio, his productions are equally at home in sweaty basements or breezy festival fields, always built on that essential mix of groove and soul.

Born in Gloucester but matured in Cardiff, Wales, Smoothie cut his teeth as a DJ in the thriving Welsh club scene of the late 1990s, where funk, disco, house, hip hop and breakbeat rubbed shoulders. He channelled those eclectic influences into his record label Plastic Raygun and studio productions, culminating in 2People, which climbed the UK charts and became a staple of compilations, playlists, and countless nights out. But while others might have been content to ride the wave of a breakout hit, Smoothie always had his sights set higher: a full-length album.

That ambition took a little longer than planned with life, the music industry, and a global pandemic all getting in the way! Having first sketched out the project in 2001, by the time COVID came along, Smoothie made a private vow to complete his debut album before he turned 50. In 2025, true to his word, the record is finished – a testament to the enduring power of music.

Career highlights along the way include international DJ sets, festival appearances, and collaborations across the electronic spectrum, cementing Smoothie’s reputation as both a crowd-pleaser and a craftsman. His productions and remixes have been championed by tastemakers and played on dancefloors from Ibiza to Tokyo. And yet, he never lost touch with his roots: bringing people together through rhythm, melody, and joy.

The new chapter begins fittingly with a reimagining of the track that started it all. The first single from the album is a set of fresh remixes of 2People, courtesy of Richard Earnshaw and The NRG, both of whom bring their own vibe while respecting the soulful heart of the original. It’s a bridge between past and future, reminding audiences why the track mattered in the first place, while pointing firmly towards what’s next.

With his debut album now complete, Jean Jacques Smoothie isn’t looking backwards. He’s proof that good ideas – and good grooves – don’t expire. They just wait for the right moment to drop. And 2025 is his moment.