Singer/songwriter, composer, music producer and sound designer Ramesh B. Weeratunga was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 1951. He grew up in a musically, intellectually and politically rich environment. His father, a lawyer and lyricist, introduced his son to both eastern and western literature while his sister studied dance, eventually becoming a professional performer and teacher. The household radio regularly broadcast traditional Sri Lankan and Indian classical music while his mother's voice, she was a nationally famous singing star, was also often heard. Inspired by this creative family Ramesh began singing himself at a young age. When the Beatles took the world by storm his curiosity for the "exotic" West was ignited. He formed his own teenage band "The Buggs" and started performing in small clubs.
At the age of twenty Ramesh could no longer contain his curiosity about the west. With less than $200 in his pocket and his old white guitar hung over his shoulder, he set off for Europe via the so-called "Silk Road". He intended to reach London to study music but after a arduous journey ended up in the politically divided city of Berlin in the midst of the Cold War. Berlin's reputation as a melting pot of intrigue, creativity, decadence, night life and "anything goes" tolerance was legendary. Ramesh was immediately accepted into the city's vibrant international music scene.
Berlin
For years Ramesh performed in Berlin as a singer/songwriter. By the late 70ies, however, he began what became a long collaboration with some of Germany's finest and most innovative jazz and rock musicians. In 1978 his work with members of the nationally famous "Kraan" and "Guru Guru" led Ramesh to his first professional recordings he calls "The Düsseldorf Tape". Though the material was never released those who heard it recognized that Ramesh B. Wederatunga was a unique and gifted artist. Shortly thereafter Ramesh formed the band Feel Wheel and was signed to a contract by Ariola Records. The result was The Beauty of Our Madness, produced by Udo Arndt. The record was ahead of its time and filled with original eclectic songs with influences as diverse as Frank Zappa and the Beatles to the eastern music Ramesh heard as a boy. The band's inspired performances and arrangements complimented the artist's diverse style. Critically acclaimed, one prominent German music publication called The Beauty Of Our Madness the most creative album of the year.
The first single from the album was Penguin In The Jungle. The band performed the song on international television when it appeared, along with Donovan, White Snake and German stars Ideal, on ZDF television's music show Rock Pop. More television appearances and tour dates were already booked when suddenly Ramesh's career came to an abrupt halt. He was taken ill and had to be hospitalized.
Songwriter
Ramesh was forced to take a two year break before beginning again to work as a songwriter for various publishers and artists. English stars Sally Oldfield and Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues, as well as German star Ulla Meineke, were among those who covered his songs.
Toward the end of the 80ies he became friends with major German musicians Curt Cress, Eberhard Weber and Joo Kraus and in 1990 Ramesh went back into the studio with Cress in the producer's chair to record his first solo album titled Open Wide (Polydor). Though his "world music" influences were still evident the album went in a more pop direction than the Feel Wheel recording.
In 1993 Ramesh style took another turn when he began a fruitful collaboration with New York drummer Kenny Martin (Defunkt). Calling themselves Electric Rama they recorded the album Go Deeper (Traumton, 1996) with studio help from trumpet player Joo Kraus. Though remaining melodic and song oriented Go Deeper was funky.
Ramesh's next studio project proved to be an exploration into modern electronic approaches to traditional Asian music styles. Collaborating with the Indian classical singer Sangeeta Bandyopadhyay and the amazing Sri Lankan bamboo flute master Mr. Hempala Perera the resulting album titled The Visitor (Laika, 2001) reached the top twenty in the world music charts.
Sound Designer and Producer
From the beginning of his career Ramesh B. exhibited a strong interest in sounds and unusual arrangements. As The Visitor's production was underway he also started putting his ideas and recording experience to work as a sound designer for others. He became a producer for RADIO multikulti (RBB, Berlin) where he continues to compose and produce the station's identifying teases. Ramesh also began working in his own studios. At first Ruben's Room, which was located near Berlin's western center. Then, in 2003, he relocated to the southern part of the city and established a fully professional facility known as Mach-NOW Studio. In the last few years he has switched musical chairs by becoming the producer of several other artists, including American singer/songwriters John Vaughan, Ron Randolf, Robert Williams and Jesse Ballard.Ramesh B.'s current project is a yet to be released album containing an inspired Asian version of the Johnny Cash classic Ring of Fire. An imaginative highly produced accompanying video of the song has already been filmed in Sri Lanka .
