THE BELLE ISLANDERS Dave Edwards: lead & background vocals, electric & acoustic guitars Bob Monteleone: lead & background vocals, electric & acoustic guitars, slide, keyboards, bass & percussion Mitch Purdy: drums & percussion Jim Megerian: electric bass, background vocals & lead vocals on "It's Too Hot" April Monteleone: background vocals & lead vocals on "To Make You Feel My Love" New full length CD entitled NOTHING’S GONNA STOP US Due August 2nd, 2013! When it was time to follow up the last Belle Islanders record, their self-titled reggae debut – everyone was ready and eager to put their twist on the next batch of some of their favorite songs – originals and covers. Recording sessions got serious at the top of 2013 – with the recordings of the Bobby Darin classic “Dream Lover”, a new version of The Look’s “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us (Are You With Me Tonight)” and the biting commentary of heroin addiction and prison life “Kickin’ In The Joint”. From there, everyone buckled in – Bassist Jim Megerian took the lead vocals on “It’s Too Hot” (which is the song of the summer!), April Monteleone makes her Belle Islanders lead vocal debut with a sultry take on Bob Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love”! Just as it was looking like a finished EP – here comes Dave Edwards delivering another original “It’s Gonna Be Alright” and the classic Bobby Bloom song “Montego Bay”. Then, Bob delivered the tender “Try One More Time” complete with Stax style horns and steady, funky beat. Together the band went for Jimmy Cliff’s “You Can Make It If You Really Want” after drummer Mitch Purdy saw Mr. Cliff on a vacation early this year. NOTHING’S GONNA STOP US closes with Cali-Jam – a live jam that the band recorded at Callahan’s Music Hall in 2011. It is a fitting closing reminder what a killer groove these guys can make, shake and leave full baked anytime! The Belle Islanders started as a recording project featuring 3 members of the legendary Detroit (and world renown) reggae group Black Market combined with the well-known throaty soulful vocal prowess of Dave Edwards of The Look (“We’re Gonna Rock”) in late 2010. The core was inspired by a 1970’s reggae compilation entitled “FEELIN’ HIGH”. Dave & producer/musician Bob Monteleone decided to lay down their own versions of some of their favorite songs from this obscure vinyl – then they decided to add originals to the mix along with a steamy rendition of the Texas Tornadoes' "Who Were You Thinking Of?" The idea then and now was to record reggae music with the aesthetic of the early-to mid 1970’s while trying to (but not always) bypass “synth’s” & drum machines. They wanted to make organic, rootsy, soulful reggae music – which had developed into a fresh sound of their own. The Belle Islanders sound is a mix of Reggae, Caribbean, Funk, Beach Music, Soul, Ska & Pop that rocks ya and eases your soul. Pop this disc into your player and come take a ride with us. Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us! BELLE ISLANDERS NOTHING’S GONNA STOP US Produced & engineered by Bob Monteleone at Tree Farm Studios, Utica MI Mastered by Tony Ugval (Grammy Nominated) at Permanent Waves Burbank, CA NOTHING’S GONNA STOP US: Available digitally & physically after 8/2/13. MANAGEMENT: Jeff Amato BOOKING INQUERIES: jamato3836@aol.com 586-298-6774 Visit: www.hanzierecords.com www.thelookde.net We are on Facebook too!
