The Connection: Modern Explorations In Afro and Latin Music is the vision of Rich Medina and Bobbito Garcia. The two are considered amongst the world’s most progressive club DJs, having provided Hip Hop, Dance, and Rare Groove to dancers for 40+ years combined.
 
In the last decade, they have each fostered intense followings for specific genres and sounds. In Big Rich’s case, it’s been Afro Beat/Funk/Jazz and World Soul. The multi-talented poet/producer/songwriter’s eight-year-old JUMP ‘N FUNK Fela Kuti Tribute Party is widely recognized as the very best of its kind, as he has at times carried that movement on his back and been largely responsible for the current revival of the original “Black President.” Similarly, Hip Hop radio legend and former Vibe Magazine columnist Kool Bob Love’s mission has been to expose rare Latin Jazz/Funk/Soul/Breaks at his award-winning VINYL IS FOREVER monthly at APT (NYC), as well as at the bi-coastal FANIA RECORDS TRIBUTE annual gigs.

Close friends since 1990, Rich and Bob started spinning together in ‘97, and have branded their musical journeys at their HAPPY FEET party to the great pleasure of crowds worldwide. An inspired competition exists between them to outdo the other by introducing underexposed tunes. The Connection allows for others to share that joy that goes on in their DJ booth. This compilation represents their passion for the rhythm that runs through us all, as well as the respect and love they have for each other. We hope that it connects you to your ancestors, or maybe just neighbors across the street, and way beyond …

For more information please contact: info@r2records.com

Since the release of her debut album "Plethora" Kissey Asplund has been rocking shows, turning heads and winning hearts and minds while touring the U.S. & Europe, including opening up for Dizzy Rascal in New York…and the momentum keeps building as Nike have now selected Kissey to represent for their AM90 launch.

The result is this limited edition 12" single which features the production skills of hotly tipped rising producer Dorian Concept and artwork of the highly acclaimed graphic artist Piet Parra.

"Silverlake" is a haunting meditation on the inspirational powers of an unspecified lake, with a wonderfully poignant and emotive production from Doiran Concept and Kissey’s thoughtful floating lyrics taking you to a place far away, or maybe somewhere deep inside.

"Snowfall" carries on the theme of introspection and soul searching with another warped soul beat from Dorian and dreamy Kissey Vocal.

Aaron has been cutting his teeth for a while with remixes for established artists like Roy Ayers, Bugz, Zap Mama and (his mate) Nitin Sawhney, but it was his remix of Nicole Willis' 'Feeling Free' that really got this young man noticed.

Having wowed the underground with his single on Wah Wah 45s, 'Man Troubles', and having appeared on the acclaimed CDR 'Burnt Progress' compilation, this boy is now ready to fly. His super smooth production skills earned him a deal with BBE, and we can now all look forward to a stunning selection of songs that have been on repeat on my CD player for longer than I care to mention.

There are also more remixes to come, with a stunning break beat re-work of Pete Rodriguez for Fania out about now (as part of the Fania DJ series) and remixes for label mate DJ Vadim, Richard E, Scrimshire and Ninja monkey boy Bonobo to follow.

The second single for BBE, 'Late Night Mission'? a humorous tale of trying to reach a gig in time ? featuring Yungun, is out in September, and there are more side projects, including an instrumental hip hop thing called AJ's Dilemma, and an amazing African highlife cut under the moniker The AJ Rhythm Orchestre.

Plethora is the debut album from Swedish soul sensation Kissey Asplund. The album was entirely produced by Paris based hip-hop collective Papa Jazz Crew, and is a unique combination of future electronic soul beats and sweet jazz vocals.

Kissey began collaborating with various producers she met via ÔmyspaceÕ, bringing her silky sweet vocals to a variety of hip-hop and soul beats. However, it was when she hooked up with Papa Jazz that something clicked. They quickly recognized she had a style all her own and before long they were crafting what they called ÒKissey beatsÓ especially for her.

The resulting album is a genre defying journey through jazz, hip-hop, electronic soul, all with a fresh future twist. Kissey takes us through a range of day to day stories of love lost and found, friendships betrayed, relationships on the rocks and even astral travelling..

The toughest question anyone can ask Bobbito Garcia is ''What do you do?'' There might be ten answers! He is the Editor In Chief of Bounce: From the Playground b-ball magazine, an accomplished Vibe magazine music columnist, and the critically acclaimed author of ''Where'd You Get Those? NYC'sSneaker Culture 1960-1987'' (Testify Books). He is a world-class club DJ (monthly @ Apt). He is a basketball performer at NBA halftime shows (Dallas Mavericks, NY Knicks) and on TV commercials (Nike, NBA on TNT), who self-produced a dribbling instructional DVD (Bobbito's Basics to Boogie). He is the announcer for EA Sports' ''NBA Street'' video game. Not done yet. He is a feature film actor (''Prison Song'', ''Summer of Sam'') and music consultant (''25th Hour'', ''Sneaker Heads''). And for fun,he dances with the world-renowned Rock Steady Crew. Whew!

You may wonder when he has time to breathe, but in the last 15 years he has been relentlessly pursuing his passions in music and basketball. After playing pro ball in Puerto Rico in '87 then graduating from Wesleyan University(CT) in '88, he began working at Def Jam Records. He met DJ Stretch Armstrong there, and in '90 the two of them started their Hip Hopradio show at WKCR 89.9 fm. By '98, the Source Magazine voted them the ''Best Hip Hop Radio Show of All Time''. The show 217;s popularity allowed for Bobbito to expand. He hosted seminal openmic showcases (Lyricist Lounge '93, All That '93-'98) andconcerts, ran critically acclaimed indie label Fondle'Em Records from'95-'01, and ran the historic Bobbito's Footwork record/clothing/sneaker store from '96-'00. Bobbito was on a mission to carry the Underground Hip Hop scene of New York through the '90s.

There wererewards. The Stretch Armstrong/Bobbito Show introduced the world to unsigned acts like Nas, Jay Z, Big Pun, Wu-Tang, Mobb Deep, and many others that would go on to change the face of Hip Hop. And just as these talented artists couldn't help get noticed, neither could Bobbito. The magazine world noticed his pure dedication quickly, and starting in ';90 he wrote freelance for the Source, then Rappages, Vibe, Fader and Slam. His first feature article in '91, ''Confessions of A Sneaker Addict'', caught the eye of Nike. Over 30 television and radio spot appearances for Bobbito followed, including the award winning ''Freestyle'' spot in '01.

Although Bobbito a.k.a. DJ Cucumberslice is a bonafide Hip Hop legend, any reader of his Vibe column would know that his musical passion goes way beyond just Rap.As a club DJ, crowds worldwide from Sweden to South Africa have celebrated his unique blend of Rare Funk, Latin, Afro-Beat, Soul, Classic Rock, House, and Ballads. He's opened up concerts for Latin Music legend Eddie Palmieri (5 time Grammy Award Winner), Afro-Funk progenitor Tony Allen (formerly Fela Kuti's drummer), Jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove, Jazz-Funk legend Roy Ayers, and Soul singer D'Angelo.

What's next? Who knows, but who would've ever expected a kid who started out in the music industry as a messenger to have accomplished so much, or a kid who got cut from his college basketball team to one day get paid toplay basketball? Bobbito is a true renaissance man, a walking example of how it is possible to love what you do and pursue it without compromise.

"Earthtones" is a display of New York DJ Bobbito's wide range of musical knowledge. An essential compilation of unreleased and hard to find gems spanning the soulful music spectrum, Bobbito combs though the crates to dig up classics like Charles Earland's "Aquarius, Maysa Leak's "Shadows And The Light", Self Scientific's "The Return", and Time Machine's "A Million And One Things To Do", just to name a few.

Since its launch in 1999, R2 Records has enlisted some of the finest club DJs and producers to compile albums that represent their take on dance music. Now one of New Yorks finest DJs has put together a selection of his favourite party jams on what is R2s most diverse release to date. Bobbito- Earthtones contains tracks from hip-hop to latin house, via funk & soul featuring tracks by Senor Coconut, Charles Earland and bossa king Nicola Conte among others.

Bobbito first came to prominence hosting the ŇStretch & Bobbito Show in 1990, (later winning the best hip-hop show ever in The Source magazine). He has since been building his reputation as a DJ, (weekly night at APT new York), Journalist, (monthly feature in Vibe Magazine) and cultural historian- his book on the history of sneaker culture Where'd You Get Those? New York City's Sneaker Culture 1960-1987 is out now on Testify Books. His label Fruitmeat has released music from the Grammy award nominated band Spanish Harlem Orchestra and hip-hop diva Vinia Mojica and he co-hosts the annual Stevie Wonder tribute Wonder-Full with DJ Spinna. Bobbitos musical knowledge extends far beyond hip-hop to Latin, funk, soul and house- Earthtones reflects this variety as he handpicks gems from across the soulful musical spectrum. From funk to hip-hop to house- all touched with the Latin flavour of New York.

Frankie Valentine Biography 2005

Frankie Valentine is a well known DJ and producer ? but information about him has always been scarce, making him one of the best kept secrets in the British music industry so far! As one of the pioneering club DJ's during the dance music revolution in the mid-eighties, Frankie's love for new sounds quickly established him as one of the major British exponents of dance music. His talents were inevitably recognized abroad where he has spent much time DJing and producing.

Frankie Valentine began his Deejay career in 1975 in London lifting reggae sound system speakers at the tender age of 13. After serving his apprenticeship as a box boy he then began to explore his musical tastes more in depth. You might remember Frankie as one of the UK's cutting edge Electronic DJ's during the 80's and very early 90's, playing with the likes of Frankie Knuckles, Derrick May, Colin Faver and Underground Resistance.

Frankie has played in most major clubs and small underground venues in the U.K., some of his past residencies include: Limelight in London, The Park in Kensington, The Rotary Club in London held at The Gardening Club, Madame JoJo's in Soho, Tresor in Berlin, Right Area @ Plastic People in London, and The End in London. He has supported many internationally known acts such as: Electribe 101, 808 State, Underground Resistance, Yoruba Jazz People, Bah Samba, Ultra Nate and Tortured Soul.

Throughout the year, while on his travels around the globe he continues to further his production career by recording with new artists and musicians in new surroundings. He has been producing since his first trip to Japan in 1990. His first release "Aerotec" was released on Scien Records in Japan and since then, he has recorded on countless labels around the globe ? including: Estereo Records (London), Icon Records (Iceland), Exelexsis Records (Greece), File Records (Japan), Auto Extension (London), Rekawa Sounds (Italy), Hipbone Records (NYC), Balance Recordings (Chicago), Vinyl Junkies "Insense Recordings" (London), Dynamite Joint Recordings(London), Sunshine Enterprises (Austria), Rhythm Media (Japan), Spot Records (Canada), and of course R2 Records (London).

...Every time Estereo releases a Frankie Valentine record the support that comes in reads like who's who, everyone from Gilles Peterson on Radio One to 4 Hero and Kirk De Giorgio on Kiss 100 and even reaching out to Carl Craig in Detroit. DJ magazines Gordon Knott described the Studio 21 mix of 'Spanish Dance' as 'the best record that Estereo have released' and 'Staring In The Face Of Extinction' was Echoes single of the fortnight where they summed up Frankie perfectly when they described the single as 'Beyond gimmickry, and too good to be a hit'. .." (Estereo Recordings)

Frankie has been known to take on the occasional remix, remixing artists such as Blaze "My Beat "(Slip N' Slide-UK), Leroy Burgess - "Heaven"(CTV-UK), Chari Chari - "Across The Universe"(File Japan) Sergio Mendis -"Magdalena"(NEC Avenue-Japan), Roland Clark-"Speak To Me"(Estereo-UK), Kino Moderno - "Sync You"(Scien Records - Japan), "Soul Syndicate" - Trance of Love(Columbia Records - Japan), Alexis P. Suter - "What Can I Do For You"(Hipbone Records - USA), Nicki Lawrence ÐDreamerÓ (Diaspora Records ? Canada) ''Afro Psycho Pathz''- Angel - (forthcoming on sunshine Enterprisis Vienna)

Frankie Valentine has yielded a journey of artistic integrity, developing and experimenting in an industry growing in quantity, and demanding in quality and originality. He remains true to his originality, through the confides of the industry.

This album contains deep house and twisted beats from Masters At Work, Sylk 130, Maurice Fulton, Frankie Valentine, Osunlade + More

Karizma's musical career started with him djing at age 13, doing various fashion shows and college parties, later on he landed a radio show on Baltimore's college radio station WEAA, playing hip hop. At the same time he was playing at various clubs around the city, with an obvious love for house music. He would often bump into Dj Spen and bug him for advice. As fate would have it Spen and Karizma would work together at radio station V103. This prompted the two to work together on his 1st Jasper Street Company album project. Karizma contributed the song E.B.W.2.R.T.W(Everybody wants 2 rule the world) and did drum programming on the track "Temptation". After this Spen&Karizma worked on Kim English "Tommorrow", Mary J Blige "Beautiful" , Kenny Bobien "Let me show you" and SuSu Bobien's "Thank you" . The rest is history.

Spen and Karizma (now with Basement Boys productions), went on to remix Everything but the girl, Amira, Lenny Kravitz, Ann Nesby, Ron Carroll, Roy Ayers, Boris Dlugosh, Bob Sinclar, Kathy Brown, Jocelyn Brown, Ministers de la funk, just to name a few. It was also in these remixes Karizma developed the "deepah dubs" and "deepah ones" moniker for his rendition of the remixes.

Flashing forward ...after a healthy career of remixes and productions, Karizma struck out on his own a formed Kohesive Productions. His first production "Samma Ganni" was released on Basement boys imprint "Elphunk". His remixes, redits and productions are heard weekly at the "Sky Lounge" bar on Thursdays, his residency in Baltimore. Many of his productions have been championed by the likes of Louie Vega, Simon Dunmore, Dj Spinna, Marquis Wyatt, Tony Humphries and many more.

Karizma is also an accomplished international dj, one of the most innovative on the scene.

Ladies and Gentlemen.......Karizma Karizma's musical career started with him djing at age 13,doing various fashion shows and college parties,later on he landed a radio show on Baltimore's college radio station WEAA, playing hip hop. at the same time he was playing at various clubs around the city,with an obvious love for house music. He would often bump into Dj Spen and bug him for advice, As fate would have it Spen and Karizma would work together at radio station V103. this prompted the two to work together on his 1st Jasper street company album project. Karizma contributed the song E.B.W.2.R.T.W(Everybody wants 2 rule the world) and did drum programming on the track "Temptation". After this Spen&Karizma worked on Kim English "Tommorrow", Mary J Blige "Beautiful" , Kenny Bobien "Let me show you" and SuSu Bobien's "Thank you" . The rest is history Spen and Karizma(now with Basement Boys productions), went on to remix Everything but the girl, Amira,Lenny Kravitz,Ann Nesby,Ron Carroll,Roy Ayers,Boris Dlugosh, Bob Sinclar,Kathy Brown,Jocelyn Brown,Ministers de la funk,just to name a few. It was also in these remixes Karizma developed the "deepah dubs" and "deepah ones" moniker for his rendition of the remixes. Flashing forward ...after a healthy career of remixes and productions, Karizma struck out on his own a formed Kohesive Productions. His first production "Samma Ganni" was released on Basement boys imprint "Elphunk". His remixes, redits and productions are heard weekly at the "Sky Lounge" bar on Thursdays, his residency in Baltimore. Many of his productions have championed the likes of Louie Vega, Simon Dunmore, Dj Spinna,Marquis Wyatt,Tony Humphries and many more. Karizma is also an accomplished international dj, one of the most innovative on the scene. Ladies and Gentlemen.......Karizma

Karizma's star has been on the rise all year, and his highly anticipated debut album A Mind Of Its Own has finally dropped!

Containing a range of grooves from the broken soul classic "Twyst This" to the deep tech of "Tech This Out Pt. 2" to the melodic house of "Tha D", Karizma has refused to be caged in by genre. Instead, through A Mind Of Its Own, he explores ways in which to rock the party.

Getting major support from Gilles Peterson, Bugz In The Attic, Dixon (Sonar Collective), and Ben Watt, Karizma's time has surely arrived.

Karizma was a member of the popular house collective The Basement Boys, and has released a number of house hits with DJ Spen. The self-professed 'originator of the Baltimore Club Sound', Karizma has a knack for putting his crowds in the palm of his hand. This was evident at November's Southport Weekender last year, at which he played an outstanding and engaging set in the main room - and had people still talking about it in the months to follow!

Is it any surprise then he's being championed by Gilles Peterson, who asked him to perform the closing set at the World Wide Awards in January 2007. Karizma wowed the audience and tore down the house with his unique interpretation of house, soul and even classic hiphop favourites! In the same month, we had a successful album launch party at Plastic People.

The CD will contain an access code to download bonus tracks from the website.

Plethora is the debut album from Swedish soul sensation Kissey Asplund. The album was entirely produced by Paris based hip-hop collective Papa Jazz Crew, and is a unique combination of future electronic soul beats and sweet jazz vocals.

Kissey began collaborating with various producers she met via ÔmyspaceÕ, bringing her silky sweet vocals to a variety of hip-hop and soul beats. However, it was when she hooked up with Papa Jazz that something clicked. They quickly recognized she had a style all her own and before long they were crafting what they called ÒKissey beatsÓ especially for her.

The resulting album is a genre defying journey through jazz, hip-hop, electronic soul, all with a fresh future twist. Kissey takes us through a range of day to day stories of love lost and found, friendships betrayed, relationships on the rocks and even astral travelling..

Louie Vega is the Miles Davis of dance music. Like the impossible to categorize Davis, Vega is constantly reinventing himself; and revolutionizing the musical landscape in the process. During his nearly two-decade long career, Vega has crafted some of the most ground-breaking singles in dance music history (“The Nervous Track”, “It’s Alright, I Feel It” and “You Can Do It”), kick started genres like soulful house (“Beautiful People,” “I Get Lifted”), and revitalized the careers of legends like Roy Ayers, George Benson and Tito Puente.

Born in the Bronx in 1965, Vega grew up in an environment rich with Latin music. His father, Louie Vega Sr, is an accomplished jazz and Latin saxophonist and his uncle was renowned salsa singer Hector Lavoe (of Fania All Stars fame). Vega’s musical influences didn’t end with Latin music though: in the eighties, he was a regular at legendary nightclubs like The Paradise Garage and attended Afrika Bambaataa’s famous Bronx River Projects block parties.

In the mid-eighties, Vega began to make a name for himself as an up-and-coming DJ, playing at Bronx and Manhattan hotspots like Devil’s Nest, Roseland, Studio 54 and the Palladium. He played with a raw energy and enthusiasm that reflected his passion for the music, and his sets were refreshingly diverse, encompassing everything from Latin-Jazz and hip-hop to British new wave. Towards the end of the decade though, Vega became disenchanted with the club scene’s increasing musical segregation. He felt that “People’s minds were starting to think in terms of categories.”

However, just as clubland’s creative lights appeared to be dimming, Vega’s soon-to-be production partner Kenny “Dope” Gonzalez began throwing wildly eclectic mobile parties in his native Brooklyn, whilst piecing together productions under the “Masters At Work” moniker. By 1987, the Masters At Work name had attracted so much attention that Todd Terry borrowed it for his New York house classic “Alright, Alright.”

Terry, in turn, introduced Gonzalez to Vega and the two found an immediate kinship. Masters At Work productions soon took off, and innovative house remixes for the likes of Tito Puente, Saint Etienne and even Debbie Gibson sent the duo straight to the top of the dance music pile. Meanwhile, Vega’s seminal “Underground Network” party, at New York’s Sound Factory Bar, created the template for many a soulful house party to come, yielding house music anthems like Barbara Tucker’s “Beautiful People” and River Ocean featuring India’s “Love & Happiness”.

With the Masters At Work sound firmly in place, the mid-nineties saw Vega and Gonzalez pursue new musical paths, under a different guise: Nuyorican Soul. They introduced this alter-ego on “The Nervous Track”; a fiercely percussive groove that was not only dance floor-friendly, but musically sophisticated and engaging as well. A subsequent track, the club hit “You Can Do It (Baby)!” featuring George Benson, helped the project gain critical mass with fans, and after being signed by influential music maestro Gilles Peterson, Vega and Gonzalez recorded the Nuyorican Soul album. Released in 1997, the self-titled album brought together an all-star cast of musicians - including Roy Ayers, Jocelyn Brown, Eddie Palmieri, India and DJ Jazzy Jeff – to create an innovative, genre-defying piece of music that has proved to be both timeless and unflinchingly influential on the dance music of today.

Far from resting on his laurels, Vega has continued to push his creative impulses, seeking out an array of fresh and exciting projects to work on. 2002 saw the release of the Masters At Work album “Our Time Is Coming”; a collection of songs co-written, produced, arranged and mixed by Vega and Gonzalez, who recruited a number of friends and influences to add to the sessions. Roy Ayers, Patti Austin, Blaze and James Ingram were among those who featured on the album, which again found MAW at their finest; whether it be on the Latin-Jazz of “Pienso En Ti”, or the inescapable Soca beats of cross-over phenomenon “Work”. “Our Time Is Coming” also gave Vega and Gonzalez the opportunity to collaborate once again with the supreme Latin songstress India. The result was the club mega-hit “Backfired”; a heart-felt, introspective song, penned by Vega and India, and produced by Masters At Work.

Vega recently embarked on his most ambitious musical venture yet; his long awaited solo album “Elements Of Life”. Already available in Japan, with a worldwide release forthcoming, the project takes the themes laid down in the Nuyorican Soul album and develops them further. Vega continues on his mission to break down musical boundaries; exploring, dissecting and fusing genres like Bossanova, Samba, Jazz, Salsa and Afro-groove. Born out of his intense desire to create a culturally unifying album that reflects upon love, family, spiritualism and social awareness, “Elements Of Life” is a unique musical collage. Vega hand-picked a nine-piece band for the project, and songs feature seasoned singer/songwriter/guitarist Raul Midon and rising superstar singer/songwriter Anane; as well as Blaze, Dimitri From Paris, Ursula Rucker and salsa sensation Domingo Quinones. Having already completed a sell-out tour of Japan’s Blue Note venues, and with a headlining performance at New York City’s Summerstage behind them, Vega and the Elements Of Life Band are preparing to take their multi-cultural, multi-layered musical experience to venues throughout the United States and Europe. Vega is famous for the emphasis he places on live performance and musicianship; not only in the world of production, but in the world of deejaying as well, where he is known for bringing musicians to play live over his sets.

In addition to his own album, Vega has found time to produce the latest full-length offering (“Venezuelan Zinga Son”) from the Grammy-nominated Venezuelan dance band Los Amigos Invisibles. After the success of first single “Bruja”, and their much lauded cover of Touchdown’s disco classic “Ease Your Mind”, further collaboration between Vega and Los Amigos, signed to David Byrne’s Luaka Bop label, seems almost certain.

Still displaying an insatiable appetite to grow and flourish musically, Vega recently co-wrote and produced “Release”, a cut from the unparalleled spoken-word artist and poet Ursula Rucker’s forthcoming album on Studio K7. He also had the honour of recreating and producing the classic “Libertango”, to be featured on a tribute album for the late Argentinean Tango maestro Astor Piazolla.

Aside from his production work, Vega dedicates two-thirds of every year to a rigorous DJ schedule, which finds him playing to thousands of people around the globe; in clubs from Mykonos to Johannesburg. He still plays with an unrivalled energy and exuberance, and his innate desire to make people dance dominates every one of his sets, inspiring him to thrill and excite every crowd that comes to hear him play. Vega is currently preparing to translate the extraordinary experience of his live sets onto CD, in the form of his latest mix compilation “Soul Heaven”; which follows in the footsteps of his much celebrated “House Nation” and “Ministry Of Sound” CDs.

An ongoing project for Vega is MAW Records, the label that he, along with partner Gonzalez, founded in 1995. Having released countless dance anthems from the likes of Masters At Work, Roy Ayers, Jody Watley and India, the label is progressing from strength to strength; and continues to promote cutting edge music from experienced, accomplished producers and young, fresh talent alike.

Dance Ritual has been the home of amazing performances by artists such as the late great Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Roy Ayers, Jocelyn Brown, India, and guest djs Timmy Regisford, David Morales, Tony Humphries and Francois K to name a few. Dance Ritual even presented an outdoor concert at Central Park's Summer Stage, drawing over 7,000 people and proving that this event transcends club culture.

Now Louie Vega has recorded a mix that captures this special feeling on the first ever Dance Ritual CD, featuring music by artists as diverse as Thievery Corporation, David Byrne, Stephanie Mills, Masters at Work, and original music by Louie himself.

The first pressing of this comp will include a limited edition bonus CD with a selection of tracks unmixed and available for the first time on CD format. To give a further dimension to the Dance Ritual flavour it will also feature an enhanced CD-Rom with a short film about the night, gallery, and sleeve notes. Also, there will be a limited triple vinyl set featuring exclusive and hard to find material.

Vega is unquestionably a major force in house music, both as a producer and DJ, and Dance Ritual is his cultural and spiritual home. On this mix he has weaved a journey from burning vocals and uplifting soul through to his latin and African roots. This is the first in a planned series of Dance Ritual albums. Part 2 will feature co-founder Joe Claussell.

Legendary Chicago house producer Ron Trent has lent his golden touch to N'Dambi's hypnotic soul-diva vocals on "Can't Change Me", resulting in this classically soulful house remix.

Texan soul-queen N'Dambi is now three albums deep, having risen from the ranks of being Erykah Badu's backing singer to gaining a loyal audience and widespread deeply approving press reviews, evoking comparisons with Chaka Khan and the innovation of D'Angelo.

Now Ron Trent has elevated this beautiful song into a dancefloor classic, with support form djs as diverse as Gilles Peterson, (Radio 1), Chris Philips, (Choice FM), Alex Attias, Alex From Tokyo, Benji B, DJ Deep and Rainer Truby.

This remix of "Can't Change Me" is the first single from Ron Trent's forthcoming album ElectroFunkJazz Pt 2: Renditions & Transitions, which features Ron Trent mixes of Goapele, Spacek, Jody Watley, Rene Neufville, (Zhane) plus many more. Ron Trent's inimitable mixes are a direct continuation of the soul tradition he grew up in, viewing house music as soul music for the contemporary dancefloor.

Can you imagine an artist which in a certain moment of his life got conscious that the music has been renegaded to a secondary place and decided to make a deep change on his career? Someone who considered that, from that moment on, he would really look for an artistic musical conception absolutely away of the market rules and the commercial clichés? Well, you can be sure that this is the case of Osunlade, one of the highest representants of what we call a house guided by spiritual and soulful atmosphere.

One of the first occasions that reassured him about his musical inclinations was the day when he listened to Prince‚s "For You" tune at his grand father‚s funeral. He was so touched by the sonorities that he knew at that moment is life would be ruled by music itself.

Though he was born in Saint Louis, the early Chicago house scene (as well as other electronic music styles) called his attention very early and made him a regular on the local parties, so he decided to buy a little Kong Poly 61 keyboard and make the house music production as a hobby. Pretty impressive considering that he begun playing trumpet on his school band. When he became seventeen he moved out to Los Angeles and started to work for major labels and well known artists such as Pati Labelle, Freddie Jackson, Gerardo Mejia and Eric Benet. He certainly made some money though he never during this period had the chance to be at the forefront of the things.

One day he decided to meet the talented producer Tommy Musto that suggested a creation of his own label, which resulted on Yoruba, distributed by Northcott on a first moment, but the mainly techno orientation made Onsulade change for the SoulJazz distribution company. His spiritual inclinations may be responsible for a very important part of his artistic approach: Osunlade became a priest at the traditional African religion of Ifa. Perhaps it can justify the use of very complex tribal percussion, soulful atmospheres, deep house elements, and even latin and brazilian rhythm influences. These are some of the ingredients of his "Paradigm" LP released recently.

His work became so well-estimated that after all he gained respect even on the developed scene of New York with its legendary icons, even if at their eyes Osunlade was considered a newbie at the beginning. He has been releasing together with artists like Wunmi, a singer who was one of the Soul II Soul dancer, African chanter and backing vocal for many other groups.

R2 Records are proud to present a mix CD from one of the true stars of house musicÉ Osunlade is a DJ, producer, musician, and remixer who has taken the soulful house scene by storm with his beautiful productions and awesome DJ sets. Osunlade has been building his reputation for years having worked with industry heavyweights such as Patti Labelle, Lauren Hill, India Irie, Eric Benet, Musiq Soulchild.

From the start of "Albanian Blues", you feel the hand of their director and The I'lle Orchestra create a palette of rich string arrangements alongside a piano riff thatês direct from a sad love story.

"Call Of the Ancestors" take us through jungles accompanied by wailing guitars, solid drum cadences, muted solos and african flutes that captivate and hypnotize.

"Egguns Psalm" is simply one of those pieces that keeps their concept of groove and hint of orchestra arrangements.

"Motorcross" gives a jazz tinged upright bass, open drum traps, mini-moog syntheziser solos and dancing bleeps over a soft wurlitzer.

"Talisman" is definitely the stand out single of the project, with its funky prince like guitar, bass riffs, killer sidestick, ethnic percussions and wah wah clavinets, this one sings praises with its I'lle Orchestra horn arrangements.

"The Meeting" is a bit of a departure from the rest of the album as its less live and more studio, with its soft porn overtones, this piece recorded for an upcoming x rated feature film meant to explore the music of the early 70's porn soundtracks.

This band have been long time friends of the albums' producer Osunlade, also hailing from his hometown of Saint Louis, Missouri.

Although several of the musicians have played a part in his latest effort "Aquarian Moon", their debut mini album focuses more on the funk elements they know so well and were groomed on since the bands' early conception.

A short but sweet offering, The Piscean Group gives you old school grooves circa 80's Minnepolis funk.

Alton Miller is a bona fide Detroit House music legend, with over 35 12' singles to his name, and 3 full length albums. He has released music on virtually every classic house label from Planet-E, Guidance, KDJ, Peacefrog to Distance, Mahogany and Nite Grooves, and now R2 are proud to be added to that list.

The multi talented Alton is not only a luminary as a house producer, but is also an accomplished percussionist and vocalist. He utilizes all these talents on his first album for R2 Records, "Souls Like Mine". The album is a representation of the evolution of Altonês soul roots, filtered through his 20 years on the dance music scene. It includes his trademark percussive house grooves on tracks like "Inside Out" & "Malakou" but also tips his hat to the future jazz/broken scene with tracks like "Possibilities" feat. Lady Linn, (the first single from the album), "Don't Close Your Eyes" feat Angelique and the title track "Souls Like Mine". Add to that the downtempo vocal soul of "Find A Way" & "Time Is On Our Side" and the deep spirituality of "Long Time Comin'" feat. Nonie and "Knowledge Of The Pigmies" and you have a well rounded soulful album of our times, as only a true connoisseur of the scene could provide.