R2 Records began in 1999 with the purpose of giving exposure to quality soulful music that was being increasingly marginalised by the music industry. While major labels, radio stations and magazines became ever focused on a small number of big selling acts, R2 saw an opportunity to provide a platform for all the great music that was being ignored, be it House, Hip-Hop, Soul, Latin, Afro or Jazz. T
he initial releases were mostly compilations from dance music greats like Paul ‘Trouble’ Anderson, Ron Trent, Osunlade and Louie Vega, (MAW), Rich Medina & Bobbito all giving their take on contemporary dance music, the emphasis always on uncompromising quality and supreme mixing. R2 has gone on to release original material, again with the criteria that the music should have soul and caliber. R2 is the home of Baltimore House luminary DJ Karizma, Japan’s DJ Uchikawa (Rhythm Of Elements), as well as releasing projects with Swedish electronic soul artists Kissey Asplund and Swingkid, electronic soul duo Mahon, Yoruba Soul heavyweight Osunlade, Ron Trent and N’dambi to name a few.
2011 sees no letting up with releases from UK House maestro Atjazz, more from Karizma and Loftsoul, plus a few surprises.