Anguilla is to have its first state-of the-art recording, publishing and production studios to serve local artistes, those in the rest of the region and on the international scene. In essence, the plan is not just to have an international entity based on the island, but for it to be an Anguillian-owned company with partnership links in and outside Anguilla.

L-R: Ira Bloom and Davon Carty

The formation and goals of the company were announced this week when The Anguillian interviewed Davon Carty, Founder and Chairman of Anguilla Music Publishing and Promotion (AMPP), and Ira Bloom, Principal and Managing Director of Kamique Properties one of the company’s partners.

The next phase, Mr. Carty says, is a meeting for potential investors to be held in the Training Room at the National Bank of Anguilla on November 14. “That came about because when we approached the Anguilla Government to provide us with facilities that would enable the company to function in Anguilla, they said to us that they would want the company to maintain majority Anguillian ownership, and that came via Former Permanent Secretary, Marcel Fahie. It was his vision that a company with such potential should be Anguillian-owned and not just based in Anguilla. And the partners have been very supportive of that idea and we are going to initialise that process on November 14.”

Carty said that all of the investment partners, as well as Anguillians interested in investing in the company, would be invited to the meeting.

Kamique’s five units with studio plan at top

A document prepared by the company states: “AMPP is now offering an opportunity to participate in the first round of funding of this exciting venture to a limited number of strategic partners. Of this, approximately two thirds will be placed by the company’s founders and Anguillian institutions. An IRR of 56% is forecast on this initial investment. A second, larger round of funding in 2007 will be placed with a combination of larger financial institutions and music industry partners.”

Carty sees AMPP as a contributor to the island’s tourism and economy. “On the back of the current tourism product, we see it as being able to offer another facility to our already prominent music industry clients and other top line performers who come to Anguilla on vacation,” he stated. “We also see it as an outlet not only for locals but Caribbean artistes who need to have access to a high profile studio that not only records, but has the assets to get their production out. This is where AMPP is going to excel.”

AMPP is presently engaged in producing four album projects on West Indies Records. They are Third World’s Steven “Cat” Core (Solo Project), Ash and Jaine (When God Cries), Bankie Banx (Live Studio Project) and K9 & Nado (Rap Island). Other planned projects will involve Drak and others.

Kamique Properties, an exclusive flagship development site at Lockrum, has been selected as the location for the AMPP studios and offices. The five spacious villas, on secluded acreage featuring a small beach on the south-central coast of the island, overlook the Anguilla/St.Martin channel. “In keeping with Anguilla’s prestigious ranking as an exclusive luxury destination, AMPP’s state-of-the-art recording, rehearsal and production studios will provide a signature working environment,” the company’s document noted. It added that at the same time the location and operations of AMPP will incorporate “the highest of standards in luxury amenities and customised client services with our partner, Kamique.”

Three of the five Kamique Properties

With respect to the studio plant and facilities, the company’s document states as follows: “Housed within a 6000 square-foot facility, designed and finished in the style of Kamique’s five flagship villas, AMPP Studios will sit adjacent to the exclusive waterfront complex…Placement will provide seclusion for both studio and villas, which may be utilised separately or jointly. For artists and guests visiting the island for specific use of the studio, the villa estate will offer a unique waterfront hideaway in which to create, unwind and recharge.

“The recording and rehearsal studios comprise the main control and live rooms (Studio A), interfaced with a production room (Studio B), multiple isolation rooms and a sublevel with lounge/kitchenette, office space, storage and recreation room. AMPP Studios will feature a Solid State Logic Duality Console and the Digidesign Icon System complemented with a classic analogue front-end. Our fully outfitted control, production and live rooms will be geared for versatility, scalability and seamless functionality and matched with a well-rounded selection of instruments, amps and microphones. An experienced engineering team will operate the facilities and/or guide visiting production teams and technicians.”

According to Ira Bloom, an additional two acres of land adjoining this project were acquired last year for the studios.

In addition to Davon Carty and Ira Bloom, the other team members of AMPP are Allen Newman, General Manager, an original member of MTV; Mitch Maketansky, Music Producer, a long-established international recording engineer; Rick B. Dobbis, a consultant with West Indies Records; Michael Millius, a consultant with Music Publishing/Intellectual Property; Steven “Cat” Coore, founder, musician, songwriter and producer, who assisted Carty to shape the concept of the company; ands Lee Skolnick, an Architect for over twenty years.

It is hoped that the partnership in AMPP will be substantially increased following the November 14 meeting.

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