IVORY is the debut album from London based musician and producer, R-kay.

This body of work represents R-kay’s homage to the musical gravitas of the piano, which R-Kay cites as the starting point & key driver behind his creative process.

Since R-Kay released his last body of work ‘Groove Gems II’ he has further developed his sound, working as a contributor, musician and producer with many artists as well as composing for TV. IVORY serves as bold reintroduction and memento of R-kay’s development in sound & production. Sonically, he crafts a listening experience that converges upon his HipHop/Neo-Soul roots, whilst merging contemporary jazz and ambient elements, creating a moody yet expansive soundscape.

R-kay enlists the help of some of the UK’s most promising talent to explore the texture in our lives by tackling relatable extremes. The themes explore some of the more testing aspects of life (of which R-kay associates with a particularly volatile period in his own life). However, this is accompanied by hope, brightened up by moments of free flowing, ‘left’ musical expression (Searching, Greenhouse, The Reunion) which almost symbolises letting go and reclaiming one's peace and identity.

R-Kay Interlude

Brooklyn Radio Broadcast: http://brooklynradio.com/broadcasts/hj7-blends/
New Music Uploads: https://hearthis.at/hardjazz7/

HardJazz7 is a London, UK based Netlabel focused on the digital release/distribution of quality Hip-Hop, Jazz and Soul influenced music. With a small roster we intend to release music built to last, while introducing great new artists through our monthly show on Brooklyn Radio (HJ7 Blends). The main goal is to increase our reach on a global scale without sonically compromising while delivering awesome music.

Musician, Producer & Composer 

Debut Album 'IVORY' out now 

Member of UK Based Collective Rhythm x Reason: @rhythm-and-reason

Member of UK Based Collective: @orphgang 

Enquiries: rkay@rhythmandreason.co.uk

HJ7 Blends Show Archives: http://brooklynradio.com/broadcasts/hj7-blends/

The Official SoundCloud page of London, UK Beatsmith/HJ7 Founder Orion
Radio Show Inquiries: orionanakaris@gmail.com
Website: http://hardjazz7.com

Important Notice: Messages sent via Soundcloud will not be responded to. Email only. Thanks.

Orion is a London, UK based beatsmith and founder of the HardJazz7 Music Netlabel. Born  in March 1990, he was raised on a wide variety of music including jazz, hip hop, disco, funk and soul. His parents got him into Gospel artists like Kirk Franklin, while Fela Kuti was his earliest introduction to Jazz leaning afrobeat music. In his early teens he’d found himself listening to alot of UK Garage and House music through pirate radio sets. Mini Discs, CD’s and Tapes were his initial formats of choice when listening to music. Some of which would prove useful when he started messing around with production on Ejay and an old PC.

Around 2007, learning Grime production had become of great interest to him, leading to production in Hip Hop a couple years later. “I always find there’s usefulness in honing both hardware and software production skills”. He founded the HardJazz7 Music Netlabel in 2012 at a time when Electronic and Experimental focused labels were some of the only options for new indie artists/DJ’s producing/creating/DJ'ing Neo-Soul music, Hip Hop music and Jazz leaning beats. Outside of music, he enjoys Sci Fi/Comic Book genre films and tv shows.