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May 2006
Dear Friends,
Greetings! It is the end of winter and I am coming out of hibernation too. By mid-March I start inspecting my cherry and plum trees for that tiny indication of impending spring, that comes in the form of tiny specks of green. But as the old saying goes, a watched pot never boils. So how miraculous it is to finally detect buds breaking through the ground and at the tip of an otherwise grey branch. I get overwhelmed by a wave of optimism and appreciation at the simple sight of bright new spots of green life. I get a similar feeling every time I spot the green crown of the mountains back home. Nothing compares to this uplifting sensation of renewal and the spellbinding change of seasons!
Like a brand new spring, I also have new things developing. While the sky was a bland shade of grey and the winter cold made us nostalgic for summer heat, I was diligently developing what I hope is going to become yet another step towards my creative mission for Exit Studio—music.
To support our goal of improving and expanding the Exit Studio brand, as well as adding a new dimension, we are introducing original music as part of our overall line of products.
To kick-start this exciting new phase, I am proud to introduce the release of the musical theme for "En esta hermosa isla." A bouncy and contagious song that will perk you up with the rousing sounds of Caribbean percussion, the theme was created for the introduction of the Spanish book in Puerto Rico this summer. The song is arranged as a "plena," a Puerto Rican rhythm that reflects the mix of African music with the Caribbean sound. This original song was penned and composed by (surprise!) yours truly.
The song "En esta hermosa isla" is gorgeously interpreted by my dear friend, the immensely talented mezzo-soprano, Anamer Castrello. She is accompanied by an enthusiastic choir of children from a distinguished local school, Oyster Elementary. The result is truly charming and will indeed be a great addition to both versions of the book. You can listen to a snippet of the song and view photos from the recording session. I am sure you will agree it is a whimsical little piece as full of life as the ocean that tickles the shores of the island that inspired it. It will certainly bring a smile to your face!
The song on CD will be available with both versions of the book as well as separately. In a future announcement, we'll unveil our next book-with-CD project, and I am pretty sure you will like it too!
Last, but not least, I am sure by now you have noticed our new look for the web site, courtesy of Scott. We hope it will be easier to use and that it will encourage you to spend more time on exitstudio.com. But before you leave us, come inside and get an eyeball-ful (I made that word up, no need to thank me) of Ricky. He is one of my "keepers" who firmly believes I was put on this blessed blue planet so I could be his personal heating pad. He is both an asset and annoyance when I am in the studio but he renders me helpless when he looks at me with his pleading, sparkling big round eyes. My other "plush" baby girl, Bolita, is less demanding. She only insists on sitting on my desk chair while I am forced to sit by her side on a step-stool so I can work. I am also sure she would appreciate it if I let you all know that it's my privilege to be in her "furry" presence. Go ahead, you can say it—I'm a sucker!
Enjoy the spring!
Edwin