DESPITE RECORD LATINO POPULATION NUMBERS IN THE U.S. AND A MILLENIAL 'LATIN WAVE, U.S.-BORN LATINOS ARE NOT BEING REPRESENTED IN THE GENERAL MARKET!

The music industry relies heavily on the buying power of an overwhelming amount of Latinos (the largest minority group in the U.S.), yet does not promote American Latin talent. In fact, only two current major pop stars of Latin descent are U.S.-born: Jennifer Lopez (Puerto Rican) and Christina Aguilera (partially Ecuadorian). The Turn, a new production team dedicated solely to finding and cultivating the hottest stars with Latin backgrounds in the Los Angeles area, is committed to making a change. Citing Motown as their model, they are The Sound of New America.

By the year 2005, Latinos will comprise almost 25% of our nation. And yet the bulk of Latin artists in the general market are foreigners - fabricated stereotypes singing in English as a second language: Enrique Iglesias (Spain), Shakira (Columbia), Ricky Martin (Puerto Rico), Paulina Rubio and Thalia (Mexico).

Is this because there is no talent to be found? Or perhaps there is no demand for that talent? Are millions of English-speaking, assimilated Latinos really content with the status quo, supporting foreign crossover" artists that are loyal to nothing but their own countries and careers?

Christina and J-Lo are steps in the right direction, but it is time for a change. Welcome to New America...

Songwriters Leon Rafael and Trevin Pinto, recent collaborators with a member of Motowns legendary Commodores, have joined forces to form one of the most exciting and original production teams in music industry history. They mix a signature pop sound with universal love song themes, and the result is an invigorating blend of musical magic. They are the Turn: A brand name for hits, determined to change the sound of Top 40 forever.

The wheel was set in motion by Rafael, whose idea to combine heavily-layered pop/r&b vocals with Gipsy Kings wall of guitars led to Pinto, a classically-trained player whose addition solidified the new sound and raised the bar on the unique arrangements. Spanish guitar is common to all Latin cultures and the Turn brings it to you super-sized - American style.

Their model is Motown, whose classic artists were as American as apple pie. No more Spanish accents, strident world music, stereotypes and segregation. It is time to compete in the general market, in English, with the big boys - a turn" indeed.

With Latinos quickly becoming our nations largest minority, there is more than enough talent to choose from. Examples are the Turns current artists, Leal Rey and Tabitha, who are poised to become the first male and female Mexican-American pop stars since Ritchie Valens and Selena.

Go to: www.theturn.net for photos, artist bios and free downloads by Tabitha (heard on Showtimes Resurrection Blvd." and They Call Me Sirr," a Cinemax movie short called Details," and the daytime drama All My Children") and LeAL ReY (his version La Bamba" is like nothing youve ever heard).

Contact: Leon Rafael
310-989-2144
rafael@theturn.net