Led by Martin Carthy and John Kirkpatrick, who, between them, have played in almost every important folk and folk rock group of the last 30 years (Steeleye Span, Richard Thompson, the Waterson's, the Albion Band, the Morrison Band etc), Brass Monkey features an extended line up with vocals, guitar, melodeon, concertina, trumpet, trombone, percussion, creating a deep English sound. Marking Martin Carthy's return to the recording studio, Head of Steam creates an incredible sound on a wonderful selection of traditional English narrative songs and ballads and brass led instrumentals, redolent of smoky pub music sessions and village greens.