There was Studio One, Techniques, Penthouse and several others. Even though these classic music recording studios still stand in some way shape or form today, the time and circumstance are opportune, the principals say, so along comes a new entity to strengthen and build on the undeniable legacy of global Jamaican music. Studio Ten, seeks not to raise the bar, but to set it.
Not only is the facility furnished with genuinely state-of-the-art equipment so as to foster the full creative development of the industry, it is uniquely structured so as to hone the business aspect of professional media recording," The entrepreneurs come to the industry with a clear vision of helping to mold artistes to effectively function at an unquestionably international level and is also committed to making a difference in respect of the administrative sector of the industry.
There is of course, acknowlegdement of its counterparts, but this physical facility is more than just a place for people to make music or media; this is reflection of our passion for music; of the team's desire to see Jamaican productions resume the top shelf in the global music scene and command respect from global interests on both the creative and the business aspects.
A step into Studio Ten's facilities instantly confirms that the vision has been realized and that there is in fact, no distinction between creative and business. On the aesthetic side: from the tiny lights projecting from the floor to the cool, clean, ultra-mod colour choices (lime greens, mod oranges figure prominently, but the overall feel is one of assertive balance). The visual communication is clear: these folks know what they're about and that knowledge and confidence WILL redound to your benefit.
Of course, one expects a studio to be a welcoming space to the artistes who utilize it, a list by the way, which includes Beenie Man, TOK, Lukie D (of L.U.S.T.) and more recently, the current Miss Jamaica World, Gina Hargitay to name but a few. Beyond that, there is an unmistakable emphasis on talent that may not yet be in the spotlight. The company is actively recruiting voice and other talents for a full slate of audio and video productions - a roster of 20 individuals (equally split between male and female) - and growing. But Studio Ten's commitment extends beyond the artistes to its commercial clients - be they advertising agencies, media houses or corporate entities.
The principals point to the increasing popularity of the Jamaican music across the globe and its growing, if not always acknowledged influence on current popular acts like Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift who have featured the Jamaican sound in their current releases. This, he adds, provides a further boon for Jamaican production facilities to step up their level and hence the sizeable investment (he declines to give the actual figure, but rest assured, the equipment and appointments are all A-1). In addition to the studio there's a well-equipped conference room, and a mini-foyer. Digital and other connectivities are standard.
Even as Studio gathers steam within the artiste/entertainment community, the team, while diligently maintaining the established standards, are advancing plans to further extend the range of services. Firstly, the company also provides message-on-hold services to fit the full spectrum of budgets from individual home-office to major corporation, guaranteeing everyone can eliminate the inevitable dead space in held calls. More recently, Studio ten signed on as the exclusive agent for the SMS Center, which overs an affordable and convenient way for individuals and companies of any size to send targeted messages utilizing both audio and video. The group also intends to move into the still largely untapped sphere of publishing. To the latter end, Studio Ten is fortunate in having an internationally renowned recording artiste/producer/label founder as co-principal in the venture. But even so, there remains a clear-headed focus on the way forward in what many are still describing as very challenging times: offer a consistently superior product at a reasonable price.
A granite-like foundation on which to build the new Jamaican music legacy
