R-JAM represents Latin based dance music like Freestyle and Latin-House. R-JAM is a concept that I created. R-JAM consists of myself (Geraldo J.Robles) as Producer, writer and performer and an all star cast of vocalists & performers including Triniti (vocalist on Passion Desire), Larz Nielson on percussion, as well as many other new talent.

Well I grew up in Brooklyn, New York in a hardworking Puerto Rican family. I got started as a song writer and performer for a local hip hop label in New York called Everyday people productions.  We created a local buzz in the underground hip hop scene but my heart wasn't into it.  I'm more into Latin and Dance music although I still incorporate many elements of Hip Hop in my music.  I decided to start my own label Encendido Records/ RJAMPRODUCTIONS dedicated to Dance and Latin music.

(R-Jam & his dancers)

Well I started looking for other talented individuals who wanted to be featured on my EP album coming out this fall.  I've found many talented individuals using many means including finding interested people right here on the internet and in talent shows.  I always have my ear out for new talent.  The R-JAM concept is not a closed door and I except demos by new talent all the time.  Anybody who wants to send me a demo can at :Geraldo Robles 545 8th ave. Suite 401 NY, NY 10018

No I started out as a dancer in High school shows.  Hip Hop, Club and Street dancing.  I fell in love with the music I was dancing to and bought my first set of DJ Equipment when I was 16 to start doing my own club mixes.  I also had a talent for writing since I was a child.  All the elements came together and I  knew I wanted to do something in music. When I started producing the hardest thing for me was music direction because I was into Freestyle, House, Latin and Hip Hop.  I've found away for all those elements to co-exist on my Ep Album with the focus being on hot dance beats.  Good music has no label in my opinion.

(R-Jam & Dalet Gonzalez background singer)

George Lamond set a standard for Latin Freestyle performers.  His voice, dress and style makes him one of the most important artists for Freestyle and Latin music.  He had the right image as well as the talent. I also love to hear Tito Rojas, Marc Anthony, and La India.  They all have unique and powerful voices.  I feel what they sing.

Well the current release for Freestyle  fans is "Forever" and for Latin house fans is "Caliente".  The EP album will be out this fall and it will have some exciting stuff on it.  Everyone is invited to purchase copies of the songs at: www.rjamproductions.com and to keep in touch with us at the site.

Well I putting the finishing touches on "Passion Desire" which will have an electro/freestyle mix and a Latin pop/house mix.  It will showcase Triniti and it is my favorite song so far and I can't wait to put it out.  I also have another song I am also finishing up called Libre...this one has some heavy beats for the dancefloor. and will be something hot for the DJ's to spin.

 Well funding is always a challenge since it is my record label.  Promotion is also something that needs all of my attention.  If you release a record with no promotion its dead on arrival.  So making sure that my team is in place and establishing myself in the market place are important and always challenging. For those looking to start their own label one option to look into is getting a low interest loan.

Well my parents who set the example for hard work and persistence in achieving goals.  One needs to be very persistent in this business and be ready to work hard.  Continually  recording new material, touring, and promoting.  So no matter what goals a person has for themselves one of the keys to success is to go after it with a passion.  Put your heart and soul into it.

I feel the sound is unique because im not afraid to experiment and mix different elements. I especially enjoy mixing Latin elements in the music.  I like to keep the music reality based. The songs I write are about the things we go through in life.  For instance the song Forever was written with my girlfriend in mind. They are many things breaking up relationships today like infidelity, lack of trust, jealousy etc. Couples need to work on these things and communicate how they are really feeling and how they feel about each other.

Well they should start by reading up on it.  Knowledge is the first step.  If you want to start a label you have to read and learn how to do it.  If you're an artist and producer you have to work at your craft often.  You should practice and sing at every opportunity.  If music is your dream then go out there and do it but don't do it blindly, educate yourself.

It should be and the dance music community needs to stick together to get our records on the charts and on the radio.  I want dance music to be bigger. One problem is that when a dance artist becomes popular they become pop artists. The perfect example is Madonna. This doesn't happen with hip hop artists. Rap artists are rap artists whether they crossover or not.  We need artists that are comfortable with the "dance" label and not switch it up once they get the fame and the money.

My sound is such a mixture it would be unfair to credit just a few people.  As
far as producers I enjoyed listening to there are many but a few that stand
out are Chris Barbosa(George Lamond, Shannon etc) Sergio George(India, Marc Anthony, Victor Manuelle ,DLG,) and Lewis A. Martinee for Expose "Exposure" that's a classic album.  All the songs were excellent.

Well there are many great recording artists that I admire but my focus is on up and coming artists.  I would like to continue to discover new talent and that's where my heart is.  I listen to each and every demo I am sent searching for the next big talent.  

What's the best part of being an artist?

As an artist the best part is the love I receive from the audience when I perform live.  There is nothing like the live interaction between the entertainer and the audience.  I also enjoy meeting other great artists especially freestyle artists.  Without freestyle I wouldn't have the inspiration I have today.  So meeting legends like Safire, Lamond, Angel of the Cover girls etc. has meant a lot to me.

(R-Jam with Angel Clivilles of the Cover Girls)

I love the internet !
Napster can be a great form of promotion for the artists if they give their permission to the site to use their music. The goal of an artist should be getting their music out to everybody and creating a long term fan base. I think the internet makes it easier for musicians because we have another outlet for people to hear us.  

Music has a unique way of resurfacing, reaping that in mind what do you feel will make a resurgence in the 21st century and why?

I would like to bring the Latin element back to Freestyle.  Songs like Diamond Girl and Clave Rocks all had latin melodies. If you listen to albums by Sweet Sensation it had that latin flavor.  So I think we could see a resurgence in real Latin Freestyle. I go to lots of clubs and it seems to me that a lot of latin kids are not feeling the more techno direction club music has taken so a resurgence in latin style club and freestyle is inevitable.

Testing, testing, testing, I put out promos first to see what people are feeling. The songs that get the best reactions are the ones I promote. You never know what people are going to feel so you need to test.