ZELJKO KERLETA

Z E L J K O K E R L E T A

BIOGRAPHY

Zhelko is Yugoslavian Architect from Belgrade, residing in London since 1988. He works as an Architect, produces his music and runs Cosmic Sounds label. Check some of his architectural work: ZK ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN.

As a teenager in 70's he had a blues band. Still has a lot of respect for the Rock & Blues legends from that era. Shortly he abandoned his band and moved into record collecting and exploring all kind of styles. His main early influences were Soul and Funk and later on Jazz. He discovered Brazilian, Latin and Jazz Dance when he moved to London in 1988, also Japanese and European Fusion. He was DJing occasionally. Inspired by Gilles Peterson's and Patrick Forge's radio programs and with a wish to share discoveries from his collection in 1996 he started his own radio program called Cosmic Sounds. It was created in London but broadcast in Yugoslavia for more than two years and restarted again in 2002 and still going strong. He is still exploring and searching for the right tunes on Library, Ezo, Eastern European and other records. Finally in November 1999 he started Cosmic Sounds label. More about him and CS label:

INTERVIEWS in English for PLASTIKS, ECHOES, TAMIZDAT, THEVIBESNET, PASSIONDISCS, FLY and in Serbian NIN

PHOTO GALLERY

SOUNDS

Initial inspiration for starting to create my own music came after hearing Akasha's "Mescalin" (thanks guys, owe you one) . First tracks that I did were just a background music for my architectural 3D animation. Inspiration is coming from all kind of music styles that I like: Jazz, Etno, Soul, Latin, African and new club scene. I wanted to preserve the retro sound from 60's and 70's and give it a new life with the modern arrangements. I kept the rough sound because I found most of the current productions to polished and overproduced. I tried to put a story / narrative in every track and also some fun and humor.

STORY SO FAR

First released track was RUNNING FAST that came out on "Warp Factor 2" compilation on Kingladze (Timewarp) label in March 1999. Debut album SPACE RUNNER was released in December 1999. Track SUMMER'S GONE has been licensed by SwissAir for in-flight broadcasting. SPACE RUNNER album was licensed and released in Japan (excellent digi pack) in April 2000 on Nebula label and it reached No. 1 on Shibuyu FM (Tokyo) in June. SUMMER'S GONE came out on Counterpoint Records "Jazz Bizniz 2" compilation in October 2000. ON FIRE from Space Runner album has been licensed for the program about snowboarding on Japanese TV and came out on Jetdog video Skill Mix in November 2000. RUNNING FAST track came out in November on festival CD of 22nd Transmusicales Festival in Rennes, France where he appeared live with Space Runners on 1. December, 2000. For the rest of the story check his discography below . As a DJ played along side many big names and traveld around Europe.