ISLAND HEAD reggae band New music out now!
"Punky Reggae Party" Voted One of the Best 25 Reggae Albums of 2013
See Island Head’s EPK (electronic press kit) here: http://artistecard.com/islandhead
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Hear Island Head on reggae radio stations around the world!
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Island Head’s next live gig is Saturday November 21, 2015 at a fantastic venue called The Falcon.
Island Head’s trumpet player Don Harris and bass player Neil Jason played The Falcon with Blues Brothers’ guitar player John Tropea. Island Head bandleader/ drummer Billy Messinetti attended the show and was very impressed with the club and the whole concept of what they have going on. Don and Billy had a conversation with owner Tony Falco. Tony said, “people say we don’t have enough reggae music or reggae bands in the club”. All agreed Island Head would be a great fit.
The band will have legendary guitarist Mikey “Mao” Chung in from Jamaica, keyboardist/producer David Frank is flying in from Los Angeles and guitarist Andy Bassford is returning that day from his tour with Jamaican Jazz pianist Monty Alexander.
Island Head will be playing their own versions of Bob Marley compositions, tracks from Jamaican Reggae Producer Clement “Coxsone” Dodd’s Studio One Rocksteady and Reggae classics. Island Head’s bass player Jeff Ganz is a student of these classics and the bass is the foundation of those grooves. The band will also throw in some American classics with a reggae feel sung by Saxophonist Timmy Cappello. Timmy had been touring the states appearing at “Mad Monster Parties”. These are “meet and greet” conventions for fans of vampire movies. Timmy performed the theme song “I Still Believe” in the vampire movie classic “The Lost Boys” and is well-known by fans of the movie.
Tony Falco is an avid supporter of great music and fine art. There is something going on at The Falcon almost every night. Tony finds very talented and interesting acts. Besides hosting live music you can find artwork from local painters hanging on the walls that Tony encourages his patrons to purchase. Some of the finest musicians in the world have sought out The Falcon to perform there. They have a large stage suitable for a small concert hall.
Come hungry because they offer a terrific menu, fine wine and beer selections. The restaurant supports farms that practice sustainable agriculture.
We will see you there on Nov 21. Doors open at 7PM.
Click here for more information about the show: SHOW LINK
Facebook link to the show: FACEBOOK
The Falcon website: www.liveatthefalcon.com
HEAR WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY ABOUT ISLAND HEAD
“One of the 25 Best Reggae Albums of 2013” – Midnight Raver Blog
“What a piece of art!” DJ Paulo Matos Host of “Reggae Portugal”
“Island Head is an important project to reggae. It’s always great to have substantive, high art. This work contributes to reggae’s growth. Reminds others of what it really is and what is still possible. I feel so especially blessed to share this brilliant work with our audience.” – Pat McKay, SiriusXM program director for “The Joint”
“Inspired concept, great playing and a real feel for the music makes Island Head’s ‘Punky Reggae Party’ a top quality, excellent release highly recommended to strengthen the heart and soothe the soul. A winner!” – Chuck Foster, Reggae Grammy Screening Committee/Host of “Reggae Central” on KPFK-LA
“Island Head musicians tastefully demonstrate that a fresh perspective can still be brought to Bob Marley music.” – Dermot Hussey, Legendary Jamaican Radio Personality
“Island Head are one of the few bands that have an original take on the music, Hipreggaejazzrockvibe.” – Cableman Dan, “Reggae & World Rhythms” on WNTI-FM
“These musicians can play…they feel this music. It has a jazzy vibe to it. The strength of the songs, the talent of these musicians, and the organic connection they share with each other, keeps this album standing strong inna Babylon!” – Ras Michael, Midnight Raver
“Island Head brings life to authentic reggae. No fluff, just great music.” – Chef Chrissy, Famous Jamaican Chef/Restaurateur/Reggae Connoisseur (hosted live Island Head show)
ISLAND HEAD musicians are:
Andy Bassford: guitar Mikey ‘Mao’ Chung: guitar Timmy Cappello: sax
David Frank: keyboards Don Harris: trumpet Billy Messinetti: drums Neil Jason: bass
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“So Much Trouble in the World” has gotten the most airplay of any track on the album “Punky Reggae Party” by Island Head. Since it’s radio debut on SiriusXM in November 2012, that song has received the most attention and outsold the other songs on the album. SiriusXM Channel 42 “The Joint” has made “Trouble” a regular play on the station along with all the top reggae acts.
This week there has been a shift. Reggae fans are discovering the song “Reggae Island” and are showing their love by requesting plays on Spotify and buying it on iTunes. Yes, there are still music fans willing to pay $.99 for music they like.
Here are comments about the song from a couple of DJs:
“This track makes me feel Irie…Good stuff” – DJ Neza (international DJ)
“Instantly puts you by the beach with your toes in the sand and a drink in your hand!” DJ Chucky D
Island Head performed this past week for a mostly Jamaican audience in New York. They played extended versions of the entire “Punky Reggae Party” album along with some classic reggae music. Besides the Bob Marley covers the band usually does they jammed on tracks from a Studio One album entitled “Downbeat The Ruler”. The band selected “Darker Than Black” and “Swing Easy” by Soul Vendors, “Tunnel One”by Tommy McCook and “Heavy Rock” from Sound Dimension. The musicians took these grooves to new highs with guitar, keyboard, sax and trumpet solos.
This was the first gig where the Island Head musicians added some vocal songs to their set. Saxophonist Timmy Cappello displayed his vocal abilities on the classics “I Shall Be Released” (Bob Dylan) and “Baby I Need Your Loving” both covered by The Heptones. But, the vocal performance that brought the house down was Cappello’s version of “House of The Rising Sun”.
Island Head keyboardist, David Frank had a number one hit with his band The System called “Don’t Disturb This Groove”. The audience instantly recognized the signature keyboard riff of their reggae version.
The band’s live show is constantly evolving. Stay tuned for upcoming Island Head band performances.
Click the links below to see videos from the band’s performance at The Cutting Room in New York City.
“So Much Trouble In The World”
Island Head will be performing at ‘A Place 2 Go’ the hottest Jamaican restaurant in New York on Friday March 14, 2014. Owned by renowned Chef Chrissie, this place not only has the best Jamaican food around, it is also known for bringing the best reggae musicians.
Come in and have dinner then, Island Head will perform the entire “Punky Reggae Party” album and then some! Band starts at 10:00 PM. No cover charge – live reggae music!
If you want a preview of the band live, here are 2 YouTube videos:
“So Much Trouble In The World”
http://www.aplace2gowestchester.com/
273 North Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 10801
T (914) 365 2525
Email: contactus@aplace2gowestchester.com
Island Head reggae band’s live performance of Bob Marley’s “So Much Trouble in the World”. The studio version can be heard on the album “Punky Reggae Party”. This performance is from the summer of 2013 at The Cutting Room in New York City.
Band members include Andy Bassford and Mikey ‘Mao’ Chung on guitars, Timmy Cappello on sax, James K. Smith on trumpet, Jeff Ganz on bass, Mike Mancini on keyboards and Billy Messinetti on drums. The studio version of “So Much Trouble in the World” can be heard on the Island Head album “Punky Reggae Party”. Island Head is also known as Island Head Band and Island Head Musicians.
Listen to the reggae radio station on SiriusXM channel 42 “The Joint” and hear the live in-studio versions of “Punky Reggae Party”, “Burnin’ and Lootin'” and “So Much Trouble in the World”. The session was recorded the same day as The Cutting Room show.
Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTATvUQL6MM
Pictured (left to right) Timmy Cappello, Jeff Ganz, Mikey ‘Mao’ Chung and Andy Bassford
Andy Bassford (guitarist)
Pat McKay (program director for The Joint with Island Head)
James K. Smith (trumpet player)
Mike Mancini (keyboard player)
Billy Messinetti (drummer)
Thank you for checking out the Island Head band website! Show your love of the music and please hit this link and LIKE US on Facebook.
Peace & Love!
Islandheads
tags: reggae music, instrumental reggae music, jazz reggae, island head musicians, island head band, Jamaican music,
“Punky Reggae Party” by Island Head band/musicians
Here is what Pat McKay, SiriusXM program director for channel 42 “The Joint” said; “Island Head is an important project to reggae. It’s always great to have substantive, high art. This work contributes to reggae’s growth. Reminds others of what it really is and what is still possible. I feel so especially blessed to share this brilliant work with our audience.”
“Inspired concept, great playing and a real feel for the music makes Island Head’s Punky Reggae Party a top quality, excellent release highly recommended to strengthen the heart and soothe the soul. A winner!“–Chuck Foster, host of Reggae Central on KPFK-LA, author of Roots Rock Reggae: An Oral History of Reggae Music From Ska To Dancehall (Billboard Books) and The Small Axe Guide To Rock Steady (Muzik Tree).
“Island Head musicians, tastefully demonstrate that a fresh perspective can still be brought to Bob Marley music.” Dermot Hussey, legendary reggae radio personality and author of “Bob Marley, Reggae King of The World”.
“I have heard a lot of Wailers over the years and Island Head are one of the few bands that have an original take on the music. It’s Island Head Hipreggaejazzrockvibe.” – Cableman Dan, host of “Reggae & World Rhythms” on WNTI-FM
Relix is a music magazine and blog that focuses on jam bands, music festivals and band interviews. They also do album reviews. The current issue, September 2013, contains a review of the Island Head album “Punky Reggae Party”.
Island Head took some legendary Bob Marley and the Wailers performances and reworked them. The band takes Bob Marley songs in a new direction treating them differently than they have been before. The Island Head musicians recorded instrumental versions of these reggae classics. You can hear them jamming guitar, sax, trumpet and keyboard solos. Relix says; “The band frequently flexes their muscles a bit on solos, but their vocal-like quality feels tasteful and natural-always rocking steady and never forgetting to keep the party going.”
As of today, the review has not been posted on the Relix website (www.relix.com) You will have to pick up a copy of the mag to read the complete review.
ISLAND HEAD reggae band New music out now! 