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Island Head Musicians (Band) – Instrumental Reggae

Island Head visited SiriusXM Studios in New York City where they performed three songs exclusively for the reggae radio station “The Joint” on channel 42. Program director Pat McKay hosted an interview with the band. “We had so much fun hangin’ with Pat. We had a lot of laughs and she is so cool”, said sax player Timmy Cappello. Pat teased Timmy about his on-stage sexual innuendos during his touring days with Tina Turner. Pat said; “She came on to you, didn’t she”? The room burst into laughter as Timmy said; “I ain’t sayin’ nothin'”.

When it came time to play the band got serious as they did new versions of “Burnin’ and Lootin’ and “Punky Reggae Party”, both Bob Marley and The Wailers covers. The band’s instrumental version of Bob Marley’s “So Much Trouble in the World” has been airing for months on The Joint. Now, the live version is also being aired.

You can catch all three live performances on SiriusXM as well as some studio cuts from the album “Punky Reggae Party”.

Listen to the album here

Pictured below is Program Director Pat McKay during soundcheck

Island Head Welcomes All People All Music

This site has been visited by thousands of people from every corner of the globe. That is a true testament to reggae music. This music started by artists like Toots Hibbert that came from bands like The Skatalites and introduced to the world by Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer and The Wailers.

Island Head band want to do their part in carrying the torch. All the musicians have had their share of doing recording sessions with computers and electronics. The band wanted to make music kind of “old school” and have everyone in the same room at the same time in the recording process. The interaction of the musicians is what makes this album so interesting. They take some creative liberties and expand upon these songs written by Bob Marley, performed by The Wailers.

When you hear the wonderful saxophone solos by Tim Cappello, they were all done spontaneously, live, one take, no fixes or “punches”. In the world of “perfect” music, this is unheard of. I put “perfect” in quotes because the attempt is to make the music perfect and the result takes away the human imperfections. These imperfections breathe life, heart and soul into the music.

The Island Head approach to these songs is to treat them with respect to the composer, the musicians and the reggae fans. At the same time, the idea was to bring the sound up to date and bring in the aspect of improvisation as jazz artists do. Reggae music has influenced rock, funk, hip hop, jazz and pop music. Island Head musicians have all played music in these different genres. Now, those genres are fused together to create Island Head’s own unique brand of reggae in the album “Punky Reggae Party”.

Hear the music here

Like Island Head on Facebook here

Follow Island Head on Twitter here

Island Head has been called: Island Head Musicians, Island Head Band, Island Head Reggae Band, Island Head instrumental reggae band, Island Head instrumental jazz band, Islandhead, islandheadband, islandheadreggae. It is the same band known for doing great original reggae/jazz arrangements of Bob Marley cover songs that include I Shot The Sheriff, So Much Trouble in the World, Get Up Stand Up, Wake Up and Live, Burnin’ and Lootin’ and the title track to their album “Punky Reggae Party”‘. The music can be heard on SiriusXM radio, College Radio Reggae shows, internet reggae radio stations and some terrestrial radio. Please phone in requests to your favorite radio station. Thank you for your support!

Island Head Band Live on SiriusXM The Joint

Island Head band has been on SiriusXM reggae satellite radio station “The Joint” channel 42. Hear the exclusive performance by Island Head musicians and program director Pay McKay’s interview with bandleader Billy Messinetti and the band. The band plays new live versions of “Burnin and Lootin’, “So Much Trouble In The World”, which continues to air on the reggae channel and the title cut from the band’s album “Punky Reggae Party”. All three songs were written by Bob Marley and performed by The Wailers. Also, check out the band’s original single called “Reggae Island” here on iTunes.

Mikey ‘Mao’ Chung tells how he has recorded with and/or performed live with just about every Jamaican musician including Buju Banton, Sly & Robbie, Black Uhuru and Peter Tosh. Andy Bassford speaks of the years he spent with reggae greats Toots and The Maytals, Yellowman, Super Cat and Dennis Brown. Sax player Timmy Cappello spent 15 years with Tina Turner and trumpeter James Smith is no stranger to reggae. James spent 22 years with Burning Spear and recorded with Stephen Marley and Damian Marley.

More details and pics here

Island Head exclusive on SiriusXM The Joint TODAY!

Tune-in today Thursday to SiriusXM reggae satellite radio station “The Joint” channel 42 at 2:00pm EST/11:00am PST. Hear the exclusive performance by Island Head and hear program director Pay McKay interview the musicians. The band played new versions of “Burnin and Lootin’, “So Much Trouble In The World”, which continues to air on the reggae channel and the title cut from the band’s album “Punky Reggae Party”. All three songs were written by Bob Marley. Also, check out the band’s original single called “Reggae Island” here on iTunes.

More details and pics here

Island Head Perform at SiriusXM Radio

This past Wednesday July 24, 2013, Island Head dropped by the SiriusXM studios in New York City for an exclusive performance for the reggae radio station, The Joint. Program Director Pat McKay was on hand conducting an interview with the band.

“It was an honor to be asked to perform on what I consider, THE premier reggae radio station in the country”. Pat and the folks at The Joint have been behind our album from day one”, said Island Head producer/drummer Billy Messinetti.

The musicians in Island Head were recognized by the staff for their work with other recording artists inside and outside of the reggae world. Ms. McKay has some fun with saxophonist Timmy Cappello asking whether or not Tina Turner “hit on him” during his 14-year tenure. Reggae guitar legend Mikey ‘Mao’ Chung kept his list of reggae artists he has performed with on the short side by just saying, “Yea mon, I played with everybody” – and he sure has! As Pat McKay said; “It would probably be easier for you to tell us who you haven’t played with”.

The band performed their own versions of some classic Bob Marley and The Wailers songs “So Much Trouble in the World”, “Punky Reggae Party” and “Burnin’ and Lootin’ “.

Be sure to tune-in to this interview/exclusive performance which airs Wednesday, July 31 – 11:00am EST and 6pm EST; rebroadcast Sunday, August 4 at 11pm EST, on SiriusXM’s The Joint on channel 42.

Pick up a copy of the band’s album “Punky Reggae Party” on CD Baby or iTunes.

(pictured-Billy Messinetti)

(pictured L-R – Timmy Cappello, Jeff ‘Ganzilla’ Ganz, Mikey ‘Mao’ Chung, Andy Bassford)

(pictured-Mikey ‘Mao’ Chung-notice names on guitar case)

(pictured-Andy Bassford)

“So Much Trouble In The World” by Island Head Musicians

If you have been hearing the instrumental version of “So Much Trouble In The World” by Island Head Musicians on SiriusXM channel 42 “The Joint” (reggae channel) then, you have found the right place.

Island Head reggae band will come together for a rare live performance on Wednesday July 24. The band plays a very unique and interesting approach to classic songs from Bob Marley and The Wailers. Guitarist Mikey Chung said; “I know when we all get together to play live it will be magical!” This is a show you will not want to miss.

Be sure to check out the album “Punky Reggae Party” by clicking on this text.

The details of The Cutting Room show are below.

Date: Wednesday July 24, 2013

Where: The Cutting Room NYC

Location: 44 East 32nd Street – New York, NY (between Park & Madison)

Time: 10:00 PM

Tickets: click the link below

Link To Show at The Cutting Room

“So Much Trouble In The World” by Island Head (musicians)

If you have been hearing the instrumental version of “So Much Trouble In The World” on SiriusXM channel 42 “The Joint” (reggae channel) then, you have found the right place.

Thanks to Program Director Pat McKay, “So Much Trouble In The World”, written by the legend Bob Marley, has been airing in regular rotation. Be sure to come to the live Island Head show at New York City’s The Cutting Room. The musicians will be coming into town on July 24, 2013. Summer’s here and the time is right to reggae!!

Stay tuned for more exciting news coming that day – to be announced!

Click here for tickets to The Cutting Room show. Get your tickets early because it will SELL OUT!

Tags: reggae music, Island Head musicians, Island Head reggae, Bob Marley songs music

Bob Marley “Reggae King of the World” – “Exodus” Revisited

(BLOG by Island Head’s Billy Messinetti)

I am in the middle of reading a book by Malika Lee Whitney and Dermot Hussey called “Bob Marley – Reggae King of the World”. In reading about certain periods of time in the history of Bob’s recording career the book touches on the album “Exodus” released in June of 1977. The album is his ninth album release in his career. Bob left Jamaica after the attempt on his life and went into self-exile in London where the album was recorded.

When you look at the list of songs on this album it is amazing to see so many huge reggae classics on one album. Most songwriters dream of writing ONE song of the magnitude of any of these songs. Only a brilliant songwriter could have written a collection of music like “Exodus”.

Look at this list of songs in the collection – “Exodus”, “Jamming”, “One Love/People Get Ready”, “Waiting In Vain”, and “Three Little Birds”. These are songs not only reggae fans know. Everybody on the planet (okay I’m exaggerating a little – LOL!) knows the words to “One Love” and “Three Little Birds”.

I recommend real reggae/Marley fans go back and listen the music from this period in his life. If you listen to the whole album from top to bottom you will get the full spectrum of the record and Bob’s view. Even though the first half speaks of Marley’s outlook of “Babylon”, he then goes on to speak of love, happiness and fun.

I hope you go back and enjoy “Exodus”.

One love.

Click here to listen to the album “Punky Reggae Party” by Island Head (a.k.a. Island Head Musicians – Islandhead Musicians

Click here to view and ‘Like” the Island Head Facebook page

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Famous Musicians Come Together For Live Reggae Show

The members of the band Island Head will come together for a rare live performance later on this summer. This is no small task since the members are all active musicians and will be flying in from all around the world.

Currently, trumpet player/arranger Don Harris is on tour with Nile Rodgers and Chic in Europe. Chic is famous for hits such as “Good Times”, “Le Freak” and “I Want Your Love”. The band has been getting back in the public eye due to Nile’s latest endeavor with the group Daft Punk. Nile plays guitar on their new album “Random Access Memories” and produced the hit single “Get Lucky”.

Don said; “We finished a set in Ireland and as we walked off the stage you could hear the audience singing the chorus from “Get Lucky”. Even though the single is by Daft Punk the fans know it is Nile’s signature sound added to the song that makes it appealing to them.”

Don will be flying in from Europe to do the Island Head show.

Keyboard player David Frank has been busy promoting his new album by his own group The System entitled “System Overload”. Together with singer Mic Murphy, The System have had hits such as “You Are In My System” and “Don’t Disturb This Groove”. David will be flying in from his home in Los Angeles, Ca.

Mikey ‘Mao’ Chung is a legendary reggae guitarist who has played with many of reggae’s superstars including Peter Tosh of Bob Marley and The Wailers. Mikey was mentioned more than once in the auto-biography “Life” by Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards. It seems Keith has a home in Jamaica and according to Keith, playing with Mikey was one of the highlights during the time he lived in Jamaica.

Mikey Chung will be flying in from Jamaica for the Island Head show.

Bassist Neil Jason is one of the busiest bass players in New York City. He toured recently with the reunion of The Brecker Brothers Band featuring music from the album “Heavy Metal BeBop”. You will also see Neil on The David Letterman Show in the CBS Orchestra featuring Paul Shaffer subbing for bassist Will Lee. Neil has also been in Europe recently recording and promoting the new album by jazz singer Brigitte Zarie.

Neil will be taking a break from his touring and playing schedule to do the Island Head show.

The rest of the band includes Tim Cappello on sax, Andy Bassford on guitar and Billy Messinetti on drums. The three of them live in and around New York City. Although they won’t be flying in from anywhere, they also have extremely busy schedules recording, writing, producing and playing live gigs.

All of the members of Island Head are coming together because this is a project they all love and want to be a part of. The band plays a very unique and interesting approach to classic songs from Bob Marley and The Wailers. Mikey Chung said; “I know when we all get together to play live it will be magical!”

This is a show you will not want to miss. The details of the show are below.

Date: Wednesday July 24, 2013

Where: The Cutting Room NYC

Location: 44 East 32nd Street – New York, NY (between Park & Madison)

Time: 10:00 PM

Tickets: click the link below

Link To Show at The Cutting Room

“So Much Trouble In The World” by Island Head musicians

ISLAND HEAD musicians “So Much Trouble In The World” continues to be added reggae radio playlists throughout the world. This unique version of the Bob Marley classic song has resonated with reggae music fans and Wailers fans. The album “PUNKY REGGAE PARTY” hit #100 on the iTunes reggae albums chart.

Reggae – jam band – jazz – island music – are all terms used to describe the instrumental debut album by Island Head. Below are the Bob Marley songs from the album along with “Reggae Island”, written by Billy Messinetti and Don Harris.

1 – I Shot The Sheriff (Bob Marley)

2 – So Much Trouble In The World (Bob Marley)

3 – Reggae Island (Billy Messinetti & Don Harris)

4 – Wake Up And Live (Bob Marley)

5 – Get Up Stand Up (Bob Marley & Peter Tosh)

6 – Punky Reggae Party (Bob Marley & Lee “Scratch” Perry)

7 – Burnin’ and Lootin’ (Bob Marley)

click on ‘MUSICIANS LINK’ to read bios of Island Head musicians