Norman Jay (MBE). He is arguably one of the finest
and most respected DJ's in the world today. A DJ
whose talents and many years of dedicated service to
his profession have now seen him rightfully
acknowledged by the highest authority in the land.
Norman's understanding of music has
been shaped by a passion for investigation. More
than that, as an open-minded cultural chameleon,
he’s been lucky enough to have been present at the
heart of key periods in dance music's history.
Ever since the Jamaican styled Good Times hit the streets of Notting Hill way back in 1980 Norman Jay has been one of the UK’s leading DJs, pioneering acid jazz, house and rare groove long before ’rave’ was a commonly used word. So famous and well respected is the London DJ that he has even featured in a movie named, of course, Good Times.
Back in 1980, when the Good Times sound system first appeared on Cambridge Gardens visitors to the Carnival were confused by Jay’s DJ-ing which saw him playing his old funk and disco records rather than the dub that Carnival-goers were used to. The system attracted only curious onlookers, eager to see the spectacle rather than enjoy the music. However, as the years went by the crowds swelled and so did Jay’s popularity.
Norman Jay and his Good Times system are an institution. The Good Times sound system is just one big Carnival party with diehard fans dancing alongside people who have never even heard of the DJ, families passing through with parents that remember Jay’s early days at Carnival and kids who appreciate him now enjoying the music together. As Norman himself says "that’s why Good Times is such a perfect name - it’s just a good time!"