More wonderful news …

As the R2 Classics Re-issue series goes into full swing, the Legendary Ramsey Lewis talks to Chris Philips about his classic albums ‘Funky Serenity’, ‘Salongo’ and ‘Sun Goddess’, working with Teo Macero, Maurice White and Charles Stepney, sampling, the digital age and keyboards. He has released over 80 albums in a career spanning over half a century and still going strong. Check out the exclusive r2 podcast here…

• Larry Young’s Fuel re-issue

The third release in the re-issue series is Larry Young’s Fuel. Larry Young was part of the earliest fusion experiments in the late 60’s/early 70’s, playing on Miles Davis’ “Bitches Brew”, recording with Jimi Hendrix and being part of Tony Williams’ groundbreaking “Lifetime” project.

“Larry Young’s Fuel” is one of THE essential electric jazz sets of the 70s – and features the classic break cut “Turn Out the Lights” – plus other great tracks. The follow up album “Spaceball” in 1976 takes the fusion of funk, rock, soul, and jazz to new heights.

Both albums became highly collectable “rare grooves” among the UK funk, soul and jazz fans. This package brings both albums together for the first time. Both albums have been digitally re-mastered from the original tapes. Release date: May 15^th. Check the whole series here…

• Karizma Collection limited edition

The Karizma Collection limited edition hand sprayed triple vinyl has been flying out. We have the very last few copies here at r2 towers. If you want to order one email us here. info@r2records.com

• United 80 in store

Finally, this Saturday 5^th May Kyri R2 will be playing at the wonderful United 80 store in Brixton market 7pm-11pm. The store has some incredible music and fantastic original clothing. We hope to see some of you there.

Peace.

R2 Fam.

Loftsoul is the moniker of renowned DJ Uchikawa Masahiko. He has been a DJ for more than 25 years, and is deeply involved with the Japanese nightclub scene since its early days. His borderless and genre-straddling playing style, from Soul, Jazz, Dance Classics, Deep House, to Techno tells of the impassioned music life of DJ Uchikawa Masahiko.

In addition to running regular parties at his club “Loft” in Nagano, (which has hosted Djs such as Joe Claussell, Jerome Sydenham and Glenn Underground) and “Premier” at Loop, Uchikawa has been recording tracks as Loftsoul, and collaborating with pianist Makoto Kuriya as Rhythm Of Elements.

“Soul Inspiration” sees Loftsoul’s continued collaboration with Chicago House stalwart Glenn Underground alongside Ricardo Miranda AKA The Latin Soul Brothas.

“Soul Inspiration” is a deliciously deep groove with trademark virtuoso piano for some esoteric soulful dance floor action.

The B-side sees the Latin Soul Brothas slow it down for the electronic soul of the Moog Mix. Finally, DJ Uchikawa and Hide Koyama provide an essential Dub.

Tracklist:

A1.“Soul Inspiration” Original Mix
B1  “Soul Inspiration” Latin Soul Brothas Moog Mix
B2 “Soul Inspiration” Dub Mix

For more information please contact kyri@r2records.com

Ahh hello Spring, we missed you.

The new R2 Classics Re-Issues Series kicks off in March with one of the mightiest groups of all time- The Headhunters’ seminal albums “Survival Of The Fittest” & “Straight From The Gate” on one beautifully re-mastered double CD package. Check here for the lowdown.

That’s followed in April by two killer Ramsey Lewis albums re-issued,  “Funky Serenity” & “Salongo”, also re-mastered from original tapes and on a double CD package. More info here.

April also sees a release we’ve been working on for over a year. Karizma “Collection 1999-2011” is a triple vinyl, limited edition (500) “best of”, each cover individually, yes I said individually hand sprayed by Karizma himself. Check the video, music and some of the covers here.

There’s a release party on 14^th April at Life Bar with some of the covers on display and Karizma on the decks. Email us here for an invite.

Loftsoul Recordings are back for a third release via R2 “Soul Inspiration”, this time teaming up with the Latin Soul Brothas and Glenn Underground. Check here.

Finally, want to give a shout to the Need 2 Soul crew for putting on Body & Soul on 8^th April.  François K, Joaquin’Joe’ Claussell, Danny Krivit, Lights By Ariel . Secret east London location. Enough said. Get your tickets here!

Peace.

R2 Fam.

About

Karizma has been forging club bangers in his lab for so many years, we felt it was time to bring together some of his most sought after jams on one very special package.

Collection 1999-2011 contains certified classics such as “The Power” (including the previously unreleased “No Piano” version), the highly sought after “Twyst This” and the classic “In Tha Deep”. It also contains the fierce new tracks “The Bangah” and “Again” plus 6 previously unreleased hidden bonus tracks.

To make this package extra special and unique Karizma has individually hand sprayed each of the 500 album sleeves. No two are the same. It took months of work. It will never be repeated. Get it while you can.

• Contains some of Karizma’s most sought after tracks.
• Contains brand new unreleased music.
• Contains 6 bonus hidden hip-hop beats.
• Individually hand sprayed covers, (each one unique).
• Limited to 500 copies, never to be repressed.

Tracklist:

A1. THE POWER
A2. THE POWER (NO PIANO)

B1. TWYST THIS
B2. HIDDEN TRACK 1
B3. HIDDEN TRACK 2

C1. DARQNESS
C2. HIDDEN TRACK 3

D1. S.I.L.U.
D2. HIDDEN TRACK 4

E1. IN THA DEEP
E2. HIDDEN TRACK 5
E3. HIDDEN TRACK 6

F1. THE BANGAH
F2. AGAIN

Karizma heads R2 Records’ latest release with “Good Morning” which comes complete with heavy remix package featuring the likes of O Osunlade, Atjazz, Deep Order and Karizma himself. Standout tracks are Yoruba Soul legend, Osunlade’s delightfully jazzy rework of “Good Morning” and Atjazz?s tech house remix of B side “Groove A ‘K’ Ordingly.”

1. “Good Morning” (feat Monique Bingham – Yoruba Soul mix) 04:32
2. “Good Morning” (feat Monique Bingham – Kaytronik remix) 06:13
3. “Groove A ‘K’ Ordingly” (Atjazz remix) 07:38
4. “Groove A ‘K’ Ordingly” (Deep Order dub) 06:12
5. “Groove Da Dub” (Karizma dub) 05:21

A collaboration between the mighty Karizma and magnificent Atjazz. “Lookin’ At Blue” will be released on 22^nd September.