And it was then when I said, "Mom, I want to be an artist…I want to be an artist like you, and like Dad." So it started, right from when I was a small kid singing The Star of David in the back of my dad's car I was taking my first steps on the road.

I'm a Spaniard from Madrid with a mother from La Mancha - Pedro Almodovar country - and a father from Asturias in the north. But above all, with artist's blood in my veins. My great-grandfather was Pin de Pria - one of the most famous writers from Asturias in the period around the late 1890s. There's also my father to take into account. Ruben Garcia was a comedian, actor and director in the revues of Celia Gamez and my mother, albeit with a shorter career, was the actress and dancer Isa Lara.

At the age of 15 I was making my way on the spanish stage. I worked as a dancer doing theatre and with many small TV appearances. I was also one of Georgie Dann's troupe on one of his Spanish tours in 1988.

I never thought of myself as "La Paulova", but I think I made the grade as a dancer. My real strength is singing and that's where I put my heart and soul into things. I absorb the music through the pores of my skin and when it comes out it brings out my deepest feelings.

I've had a fantastic experience with this amazing guitarist-cybernaut (and I could go on and on because this man does it all!). But he also knows his stuff and directs really well - just as I like it. This isn't a declaration of love, but almost! As I was saying, my experience with him and with all the artists who have participated in this project has been absolutely wonderful.

The fact is that singing with two guitar giants like Juan Antonio Navarro and my friend Josele is a big deal for me.

Josele was the first person to put a microphone in my hand and get me up on stage to sing instead of to dance when I was just 22.

So not too long ago - just a few months - they called me up and said "Do a few blues numbers with us!". And the truth is that "There's no place left for me " and "The Emilio Mario 7 Blues" - both fantastic songs written by my dear friend Josele, and that the three of us recorded together - have turned out really well. I've been able to sit back and enjoy the guitar licks and solos that only they are capable of.

And then there's the other singers like Angie who has a fantastic voice, full of power and strength. Or Andrea - a sweet voice from a sweet woman. And what can I say about Tom? He seduced my ears from the first day I heard him sing. But it was great to work with such a fine group of professionals with whom I spent a fantastic but exhausting night in the studio seeing as they left the last song of the session for me!

Thankyou to Juan Antonio and to Josele for the great times and thanks as well for all the times they made me repeat parts over and over. But "no pain, no gain" as they say and in this particular case, the suffering was a pleasure. Big hugs to all.

MARIZZA