The Dominican Republic is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been lucky enough to experience.

The people are so wonderful and welcoming!

I have had the pleasure (before and after the “re-discovery-vacation-rush” that this paradise is) to relax and have fun in Santa Domingo, Boca Chica, Punta Cana, and other historic Caribbean destinations that Columbus and the early travelers found with the 1^st peeps – as it was at that time.

We are not so separate after all! We know our origins and we try/need to get our stuff mixed-up in a good way. My niece is currently a diplomat in Santa Domingo for USA. The difficult times in Haiti makes us realize the importance of the giving “family of man/woman”.

This song is my (Axel, Dan, and Alex too) version of a true Caribbean Fiesta Groove to celebrate fun and beautiful times. I dedicate it to the soul of Hispaniola: Haiti and Dominican Republic and hope that joyful music celebrates the great and the possibilities for this incredible island.

Kyle Wood had this great track “Gotta Have It” that had such a Prince sound feel. I recorded all the vocals at IPR school for a vocal recording class. Great input from Dik Shopteau and his class – thanks!

Deevo added some cool guitar tracks and we went with a “Prince meets the marching band at the merry-go-round calliope” kind of groove for the intro and hook, along with dreamy verses. “Please help me, help me, I’m on fire for you!”

“What You Do To Me” came to me while I was in DC waiting for cab at a hotel. A beautiful woman “spinning in her chocolate wave” got out of her “metallic Escalade” with letters in her hand and her bag of tricks as she greeted her friend “Tommy Domino”. The rest came as I wrote the song on the hotel’s piano. “Buy a Marquis on that full moon” due to her large ring and a full moon night. We tried to get the bongos to sound like a Marvin Gaye groove. R&B in my Black Irish style with Axel’s great strings arrangement!