At KA Sound Studios, Crete, you can book a tailor-made package which will involve you as much or as little as you wish, and which will allow you to take home at the end of your trip 10 finished CDs of your own song or performance. The small studio is tucked away at the edge of a village with astounding mountain views and a unique Cretan ambience.

If you want to record anything from ‘Love Me Tender’ to ‘Anarchy in the UK’, or if you have more personal aspirations and want record your own song, or even get help finishing off an idea for a song before recording it, then KA Studios will be able to help you.

We will arrange accommodation for yourself and your family at any level. There are two quiet family villas with pools a few yards away, which some people find an attractive option. We also recommend a high-quality b&b in a neighbouring village and hotels and small self-catering rooms can also be booked.

Before you arrive, we will discuss and plan the week’s schedule with you. If you want to play every instrument and get involved with every stage of the recording process, you are most welcome, but you are equally welcome to leave it to us to provide a backing track and just show up from the beach -10 minutes away - to record a lead vocal.

The recordings are engineered by Phil Harrison, a musician and songwriter with masses of experience who has worked with artists as diverse as The Scaffold, Diana Rigg, Peter Hammill, Barbara Dickson, Jake Burns, Johnny Logan, and the UK Scouts & Guides Orchestra. He was also a member of the successful UK band ‘The Korgis’ and has been involved with several international hit records, in addition to composing music for TV and film. Another member of the team is John Mansell, a multi-talented instrumentalist, songwriter and expert guitar tutor. Logistical backup, graphic design, tea and sandwiches (or, more often, wine and olives) are provided by other people.

The basic package includes as much of the following as you require: Ten hours of recording time (spread across a week) plus an initial planning session, acoustic, electric and bass guitars, percussion, drum programming, electronic keyboards, backing vocals, all production and engineering services, and the provision of 10 CDs complete with sleeves and labels designed to your specification. The price for 2008 for this package is €850 (currently about $1200 or £630). Options include banjo, mandolin, acoustic piano, bouzouki, slide guitar and ukulele among others, plus help with song writing and arranging if requested. The price for options is negotiated with the individual client, either before or during the visit.

Even if you are not especially musical yourself, there may be a member of your family with creative aspirations. You could give them a fabulous gift by buying them a week at KA...

Comments from previous clients:

“I always knew I was a rock god. I just needed the evidence.” Andreas Nicola (who recorded his self-penned rock anthem)

“With the studio’s help, encouragement and technical knowledge a wannabe blues playing genie was freed from his bottle. Not even 40 thieves can take away that experience (or my CD single which is now in the record collection of all of my mates)!!” Fred Reynolds (who recorded one of his own blues songs)

Of course KA is available to local artists, too. Phil Harrison and John Mansell record and gig as 'Big Fish'. To hear some samples of the tracks they have recorded at KA, visit Own Accord Music and follow the 'Big Fish' link

Further details and bookings at francesca@amygdali.com or call +30 28250 22515/ +30 69450 20497