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| By Lori O'Brien Correspondent WESTFIELD-Marlee Rubenstein and Kevin Paul are passionate about their music. "Music is magic," said Paul during a recent interview at their new business venture, K & M Recording Studio at 31 Elm St. The longtime friends opened the studio on May 1 "on a wing and a prayer," added Rubenstein. The recording studio features 24-track and 8-track digital recorders, microphones and instruments ranging from guitars to keyboards that can be used for background instrumentation requests. Both co-owners hope to inspire others to make their own kind of music because they can offer package options at affordable rates. For $25 an hour, a client receives recording, editing and mixing services. In addition, all CD packages are shrink wrapped and feature a jewel case, jewel case insert designed by Rubenstein, and CD label. There is a five CD minimum purchase required for each project plus a standard set-up fee. Rubenstein and Paul stressed that CD's can be made for more purposes than just making music. For example, CD's are being made by area comedians, poets, family historians, language interpreters and karaoke singers. Paul added they are also recording persons who wish to make their last will and testament on CD. Do you still have 33's and 45's in your attic collecting dust but can't bear to part with them? Paul and Rubenstein can also transfer the contents of old cassette tapes and records onto CD's. What Paul and Rubenstein enjoy most about their new business is there is something new to work on each day. Recent projects have included transferring 25-year-old albums of the Mont Marie Chorale performing onto CD's, and an 83-year-old woman recorded the Star Spangled Banner so she could send her demo to Fenway Park in the hopes of being considered as a guest singer at a home game. Paul, a resident of Southampton, has been a music teacher at Jerry's Music in South Hadley for several years and has taught privately in Westfield for 15 years. He was also a member of The Crescents until the local group disbanded. He plays percussion, bass, acoustic and electric guitars, as well as keyboards. Rubenstein, of East Hartland, Conn., is a singer and songwriter who plays percussion, keyboards and tambourine. When she isn't pursuing her musical ambitions, she can be found behind a camera lens photographing whatever inspires her. Many of her works are framed and grace the lobby of the recording studio. If a client requests photography for a CD case, Rubenstein is also available for that service. In addition, both Paul and Rubenstein are versatile at offering background vocals if a request is made. When these perfectionists aren't helping someone else create a lasting memory on CD, they can be found jamming in the studio or discussing an upcoming project. One major accomplishment of theirs came in 2002 when they wrote, produced and arranged 15 original contemporary songs on a CD titled "Let It Go." The CD is priced at $10 and is available at Platterpus Records on Elm Street. K & M Recording Studio is open seven days a week with flexible hours to accommodate every client's schedule. For persons interested in more information about services, call (413) 564-6005. |