Category Archives: reggae music

Island Head on Jamaican Radio

Newstalk 93 FM in Jamaica has a very interesting music program on Friday evenings called ‘Riffin’.  In the old days of FM radio, DJs would discuss the music, lyrics and artists.  Today, most popular terrestrial radio DJs don’t have these types of discussions.  It was great to hear radio personality/DJ Dermot Hussey doing what he does best, ‘Riffin’ about new music.  Of course, it was especially exciting when he was talking about Island Head’s album “Punky Reggae Party”.  He also played music by guitarist extraordinaire Gary Clark, jr. who is an amazing guitar player new on the scene.

Mr. Hussey told about how the music of Bob Marley is still enjoyed worldwide.  Songs played on the show were “So Much Trouble in the World”, “Wake Up and Live” and the title track “Punky Reggae Party”.  All 3 tracks were written by Marley with “Punky” co-written by legendary reggae producer Lee “Scratch” Perry.  Even though the Island Head album is an instrumental record, the titles and lyrics of these songs are still very apropos.

www.newstalk.com.jm

 

NOTE: This band is sometimes referred to as Island Head Musicians or Islandhead musicians.

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Island Head album review

Jammin’ Reggae Archives has reviewed the album “Punky Reggae Party”.

What’s wrong with a band that releases an album comprised of six instrumental versions of Bob Marley songs and one original? Nothing, as far as I can see and hear.  (Click the link to continue reading) http://www.niceup.com/reviews/reviews.html

Island Head “Punky Reggae Party”

Keep an eye (and an ear) out for the album “Punky Reggae Party” by the reggae band, Island Head.  They can be found on the radio, internet, Twitter, Facebook and old fashioned print media.  There are radio stations that will be featuring the entire album and some are playing the DJ favorite “So Much Trouble In The World” as well as the single “Reggae Island”.  Island Head musicians have been interviewed recently by some newspapers and magazines, as well.

The song that is getting the most airplay right now is a Bob Marley classic “So Much Trouble In The World” from his “Survival” album.  Island Head’s interpretation of this song features the main melody played by Don Harris on trumpet.  Then, there is a long guitar solo from Andy Bassford followed by a keyboard solo from David Frank.  The outro is carried by a sax solo from Tim Cappello.

It is a fantastic start for a new band.  As things progress, we will keep you posted as to when the articles go to print and the stations broadcast the features about Island Head.Image

SiriusXM Satellite Radio plays Island Head

SiriusXM Satellite Radio station “The Joint” is the quintessential reggae radio station.  The station recently started playing “So Much Trouble In The World” from the Island Head album “Punky Reggae Party”.  The station’s program director Pat McKay said; “I feel so especially blessed to share this brilliant work with our audience.”

Pat has been part of the reggae world for many years.  Before coming to SiriusXM she hosted the first ever all reggae “big radio show” in the USA on WBLS-FM called “The WBLS Reggae House Party”.  Ms. McKay has pioneered the promotion of reggae and other Jamaican music styles.  Well, it is an honor and we feel especially blessed that “The Joint” is playing Island Head.  Much Respect!

You can find The Joint on SiriusXM channel 42.  Pat McKay’s show is on from 9 AM to 3 PM.

http://www.siriusxm.com/thejoint

Island Head
Island Head

NOTE: This band is sometimes referred to as Island Head Musicians or Islandhead musicians.

Amazon MP3 Music “Reggae Island” Customer Review

The band assembled is a who`s who of sidemen formerly and currently with some of the biggest names in reggae, R&B and studio musicians.

Andy Bassford (guitar), Mikey ‘Mao’ Chung (guitar), Billy Messinetti (drums) Don Harris (trumpet), David Frank (keyboards), Timmy Cappello (sax),  and Neil Jason (bass).

Their first single “Reggae Island” is a medium tempo, smooth, summery, wishing you were sipping that Margarita type of reggae instrumental. The simple repetitive horn melody will stick with you after the earbuds come out.

In it`s simplicity the track should set up the rest of the album which will be Marley covers done instrumentally and approached in a new way. The sound is somewhere between Jamaica, New York City and your favorite anywhere beach.

So open the top of your ride, get a seat by the pool, put on those sandals and enjoy the well recorded and produced single..Can`t wait for the other tracks !!

Punky Reggae Party album review

The reggae jamband Island Head, is getting a lot attention for their debut album “Punky Reggae Party”.  Bob Marley songs are re-worked into instrumentals that are destined to make these songs classics, again.

Track 1:  “I Shot The Sheriff” has a groove that crosses dancehall and rock with strong rock guitars and jazzy saxophone.  Sax player Tim Cappello, of Tina Turner fame, plays his butt off (plain and simple).  He has a fat tenor sound with tons of expression and excitement!

Track 2: “So Much Trouble In The World” takes the bass line from the original and pushes it further with a backbeat on the drums.  Bass player extraordinaire, Neil Jason pays tribute to the original bass player on the Survival album, Val Douglas.  Val, of the famous Skatalites, was scheduled to play on the album.  Due to his touring schedule with the Skatalites he could not make any of the band’s sessions.  When the track gets to Andy Bassford’s guitar solo the song is lifted to new heights.  Andy is well-known for playing with Toots & The Maytals for 23 years.

Track 3: The single, “Reggae Island” is a pop/top 40 sounding instrumental that just makes the listener feel good.  This is the only one not penned by Marley.

track 4: “Wake Up and Live”, also from Marley’s Survival album appears on the Island Head record.  This is where the band’s funk influence comes out.  Trumpet player Don Harris used to tour with Tower of Power and brought out some TOP in his arrangements.

Track 5: “Get Up Stand Up” sounds like Miles Davis got together with Bob Marley.  Harris’ muted trumpet is sultry, sexy and relaxing.  Miles would be proud because his influence is very apparent.

Track 6: The title track combines Jamaican Rocksteady with synth-dance music.  The synthesizer sounds played by one of the most famous synth players in the world, David Frank of The System.

Track 7: “Burnin’ and Lootin'” is the final track which is more traditional roots reggae.  The groove is deadly and “dirty funky”!  Andy Bassford does some finger-picking melodies in the second verse that are complex and interesting.  The track ends with Andy and Tim weaving in and out of each other’s licks.

Mickey “Mao” Chung, famous for his tenure with Peter Tosh of the Wailers plays incredible melodies throughout the entire album.  Mikey also played with Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards when Keith used to live in Jamaica.  Keith also mentions Mikey in his biography, “Life”.  Producer Billy Messinetti says; Mikey added a Jamaican authenticity to the album.  The combination of the guitar playing of Andy Bassford and Mikey ‘Mao’ Chung is one of the things that makes this album so interesting to listen to.  When Pat McKay, program director for SiriusXM’s reggae station The Joint, heard about this collaboration she said; I know both Andy and Mikey, they are geniuses!

You can find this very interesting musical hybrid here: Island Head on iTunes

Twitter page @Islandheadband is getting followers from all over the world.

Band Plays Respect to the Music of Bob Marley

Island Head, a band consisting of world-class musicians, has recorded an instrumental EP/album paying much respect to the music and the genius of Robert Nesta (Bob) Marley.

The band went into a recording studio and recorded together as a band at the same time.  This may not sound unusual to non-musicians.  But, this is an old-school approach that is seldom used.  What you get recording this way are the emotions and interaction of the musicians.  They play off of or react to each other.

The band has recorded some classics – “I Shot The Sheriff” and “Get Up Stand Up” – and less well known songs, with a very unique approach.   The ‘riddims’ are not strictly reggae.  They are influenced by rock, funk, R&B and jazz, too.  Bob Marley’s vocals were performed on either guitar, trumpet, saxophone or keyboard synthesizer.  Some background vocal parts were played by the horn section.  All in all, the arrangements are very original.

The band has plans to perform at some island reggae music festivals and are looking forward to ‘jammin’ live on stage and expanding the songs even further.

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