R.M. Almonte Honors Mentor Voodoo Ray on Bookstore Signing Journey

NEW YORK CITY, NY, UNITED STATES, October 14, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- R.M. Almonte, a two-time world record holder in bookstore signings, has embarked on a new journey across Canada, honoring his late mentor and family member, Raymond “Voodoo Ray” Ultarte, who passed away on October 17, 2017. Almonte’s current campaign, which includes 93 scheduled bookstore appearances, aims to take him through Canada’s 10 provinces and three territories, continuing his pursuit of his third and fourth world records.

Almonte’s journey began in 1988 when he first heard the song “Voodoo Ray” by British musician A Guy Called Gerald. The song’s title resonated with Almonte, as it was also the name his late mentor adopted. Ultarte, who was the grandson of legendary Dominican merengue singer Joséíto Mateo, was a respected figure in New York City’s house dance and hip-hop communities. He was known for his performances and contributions to the nightlife scene, working with major artists such as Mariah Carey, Jay-Z, and Run-DMC.

Almonte and Ultarte shared a deep connection that began in their early years. Around 1980-1981, they co-founded a neighborhood dance crew called Rocwild on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. The group, which included Almonte’s oldest brother, Will Power, and other young dancers, represented more than just a dance crew; it was a community of young people seeking opportunities to express themselves. The loss of a dear friend, Abraham, deeply affected the group and left a lasting impression on Almonte.

Voodoo Ray was not just a mentor to Almonte; he was a family member and one of the first people to show Almonte that the world extended far beyond the streets of New York City. Almonte, who was 18 years old when he adopted the name Stone Ray, was introduced to the world of New York City’s house music and nightlife through Ultarte. Voodoo Ray took him to numerous parties and nightclubs, sometimes before he was legally old enough to enter. These experiences taught Almonte to communicate confidently with people from different backgrounds and to confront his fears.

One of Almonte’s most meaningful memories involves working alongside Ultarte on a house music radio show called The Candy Store, broadcast on 89.1 FM. The show featured T.O. Sweet as its main host, with Voodoo Ray and Almonte participating together. This experience allowed Almonte to participate directly in the musical culture he had admired throughout his youth and reinforced the importance of communication, creativity, and building relationships with people from different backgrounds.

The passing of Voodoo Ray on October 17, 2017, during a particularly difficult period in Almonte’s life, was a devastating blow. Almonte was living in Japan when he received the news from a friend in America. The loss came during an extraordinarily challenging time, as his grandmother was in a coma. Almonte immediately contacted his oldest brother, who was overwhelmed with grief. Almonte boarded a flight to New York the following day, where he learned that another childhood friend had also passed away. The experience profoundly affected him, reinforcing the importance of pursuing meaningful ambitions while the opportunity remained.

Following Ultarte’s passing, Almonte’s writing took on a new depth. The death of a fictional character named JK, along with the funeral scene that followed, was directly influenced by the grief Almonte experienced after losing his mentor. These themes became deeply personal in his metaphysical science-fiction series, the United Earth series, which explores themes involving consciousness, mortality, identity, and the mysteries of existence.

Almonte’s current campaign, which began on October 2, 2026, in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, is part of his ongoing journey to pursue his third and fourth world records. The campaign includes 93 scheduled bookstore appearances, with 89 in Canada and four in the United States, including Alaska. Almonte’s goal is to continue his journey through Canada’s 10 provinces and three territories, taking him through countless hours alone behind the wheel, traveling between unfamiliar cities and communities. These long stretches of road provide opportunities for reflection, and Almonte often thinks about the people who helped shape his life and the lessons that inspired him to pursue increasingly ambitious goals.