Ramesh releases ‘Two People’

With the release of his new CD, titled ‘Two People,’ Ramesh B. Weeratunga has completed a milestone of a recording, which features a dazzling collection of wonderful songs. 

Fans familiar with Ramesh’s music will quickly find the new material to be much more in a “chill” groove than many of his earlier recordings, and this approach has worked out very well. The tracks are done in a more laid back, quieter, and softer approach, with the use of less instruments, and yet, they come across with a very comfortable, wide open, colourful and full sound. 

The production is excellent, second to none, and that, together with the fine songs, make this new CD a musical high-light, full of heart, soul and emotion.

Headed for London to study music, Ramesh, aged 20, set off for Europe, with less than $ 200 and his old white guitar. He ended up in West-Berlin, famous for its creativity and tolerance. Intrigued by the city’s vibrant international music scene, he stayed to perform as a singer/songwriter for years. 

By 1978 he had bonded with nationally known members of Kraan and Guru Guru, which led to his first recordings, The Düsseldorf Tape. Recognised as a gifted and very unique artist, he then formed the band Feel Wheel and was signed to a contract with Ariola Records. 

The resulting LP, ‘The Beauty of Our Madness’ (produced by Udo Arndt) was ahead of its time, eclectic songs with influences as diverse as Frank Zappa, The Beatles and the eastern music of his upbringing. A prominent German music publication called the record the most creative album of the year. 

During the ’80s Ramesh was busy performing with his band Feel Wheel and working as a songwriter for various publishers and artists. Stars like Sally Oldfield, Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues and Ulla Meineke, the German singer, covered his songs. In 1990 he recorded his first solo album, Open Wide (Polydor). His world music influences still evident, the album went in a more pop direction than the Feel Wheel recording. 

Ramesh’s style took yet more turns during the 90’s, when he began working with New York drummer Kenny Martin (Defunkt). Calling themselves Electric Rama, they recorded the funky album Go Deeper (Traumton Records 1996) with collaboration from trumpet player Joo Kraus. 

From there he went on to explore modern electronic approaches to traditional Asian music styles. The resulting album The Visitor (Laika, 2001), featuring Indian classical singer Sangeeta Bandyopadhyay and Sri Lankan bamboo flute master Hemapala Perera , reached the top 20 in the world music charts. 

Since 1997 Ramesh had worked for the ‘World Music’ Radio Station Radio Multi Kulti as a sound designer, something he later also did for the WDR ‘world music night’ radio program. And he had built his own recording studio, producing Jingles & Teasers, demos and numerous albums for other artists as well as his own. 

Among his works are several of Anna Tröke’s Yoga CD’s (Sony Records & G&U), choir recordings, the CD ‘Lullabies’ and a co-production for the CD ‘Village Voices’ for Wolfgang Thierfeld. He worked as a producer for artistes like John Vaughan, Jesse Ballard, Ron Randolf, Bob Williams, The Shevettes and many more, all well known throughout Europe. A Ben Bishop EP, unfortunately never released, was one of his favourite works. 

Within the first decade of the new millennium, Ramesh also released four CDs of his own: ‘Flowing Power’ (with Ingo Bischof), ‘The Visitor,’ ‘This Is,’ and ‘Ramesh re-visited’ (Remix). In 2009 he shot a music video for his Bollywood style version of the country classic ‘Ring Of Fire’ with film director Wolf Gresenz in Sri Lanka. 

When in 2010 Ramesh was diagnosed suffering from the incurable disease amyloidosis, his work was slowed down by periods of poor health and heavy medication. In between chemotherapy he still managed to finish his CD ‘Polka Dots’ in 2012 and the music video ‘Hadany had a Heart’. A mind-blowing art work, again realised with film director Wolf Gresenz, which reflects his state of mind regarding the diagnosed illness in a very unique ‘Ramesh style’. Having built his new studio ‘MachNow’ in Kleinmachnow near Berlin, he then produced the CD ‘Lullabies’ in 2013, and a new Jesse Ballard album ‘Cut It All Loose,’ released in 2014. 

Finally, after two years of work, his own CD ‘Two People’ was released in 2015 – a very delicate songwriter album, with heartfelt personal songs to his loved ones and some lyrics that are yet again clearly influenced by his recent health situation. 

Although work has to freeze now and then for a short time, Ramesh’s mind is as always racing around a number of interesting projects. For 2015/16 he plans more yoga CDs, another choir music production and another rock album. He is also gathering some excellent musicians and long-time friends together for a jazz rock project.