With just a few recording studios for local artistes to record their songs, they are forced to leave Guyana and travel to Trinidad and Tobago to do so, but this is about to change with the opening of Bunty Kris Valarie Janvi (BKVJ) Recording Studio at Shieldstown, West Bank Berbice.
The studio is owned by reigning Chutney Monarch Bunty Singh who started his career as a musician and vocalist. His one aim was to open his own recording studio since there were not many locally. Years ago, chutney singers had to resort to using the Shakti Strings Recording Studio, which is operated by the Samaroo family.
He thought that one day, chutney music should be recorded at the highest standard and that is his only aim. Most of the young artistes are now travelling to Berbice to have their tunes recorded and more importantly, the reigning Chutney King has more time to record his tunes at home which are being played on local airwaves on a regular basis.
Since the establishment of the studio, several known artistes have recorded their songs at BTVJ, including Prince JP who now resides overseas, Haresh Singh, Roger Hinds, Wata Flow and others.
Only recently, Guyana’s own Terry Gajraj recorded two songs at the studio and was impressed at the standard in which they were recorded. He feels that local artistes now have a place to record their songs rather than travelling abroad to do so.
On this note, Bunty Singh and Terry Gajraj will soon release a song they recorded together. However, apart from the chutney vibes, Singh has started to record soca music and is hopeful that one day the copyright laws are enacted.
