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Carlos Jones' latest has old favorites, some surprises
By Malcolm X Abram
Beacon Journal music writer
Published on Sunday, Jun 07, 2009
Carlos Jones has been the reigning Reggae King of Cleveland for nigh on 20 years, and in that time he has built a loyal following throughout Northeast Ohio.
Jones first gained prominence in the 1980s Cleveland reggae-based bands I-Tal and First Light. More recently he has been a familiar face in the bars and clubs with his band, the Peace Love Unity Syndicate (or simply P.L.U.S.), getting hips swaying and feet moving with a style based in roots reggae that also incorporates pop and rock for a slick yet authentic sound.
Jones' latest album, Leave a Trail, collects a dozen songs, several of which have been staples of his show for a few years
and will be familiar to fans.
The album was produced by Jacob Fader of Cleveland Afrobeat band Mifune, and features the Mifune horn section and backing vocal help from that band's lead singer, Christine Dorbish Fader. The combination works splendidly, as Fader gives the album a professional-grade sound with traditional reggae and dub touches, and the horn arrangements by Jones and Mifune trombonist Kris ''Skinny'' Morron are a nice addition.
The American-born Jones' raison d'etre is purveying ''positive vibes'' and the power of music to heal and bring folks together. But he isn't just a reggae singer; he is also a student of the genre and he and his band can play in a variety of styles under the reggae umbrella.
On Where Reggae Comes From, Jones gives a lesson on the history of the music that includes a section of traditional Rastafarian Nyabhingi drumming and chanting that almost sounds like a field recording of (harmonically sound) Rasta elders.
The staccato phrasing and background harmonies in Music to the Rescue recall British band Steel Pulse, while the rock-flavored Who Say? features some nice lead guitar from Dan Shramo. More Iditations rides a smooth dub groove and nice harmonies from Jones and Fader.
The band stretches its boundaries on the disc's latter half, including Nursery Rhyme which sports a soca groove and Jones amiably intoning actual nursery rhymes. On the call-to-action anthem Use Your Voice, Jones and the P.L.U.S. Band ride an Afrobeat/funk groove with funky guitar and chugging, intertwining horns.
Jones has honed his sound mostly on the stages of Ohio, and after years of playing for fans and folks who just happen to be in the bar/club, he has managed to forge a user-friendly style that appeals to the hard-core roots reggae lovers as well as casual fans who only know the name ''Bob Marley.''
Malcolm X Abram can be reached at mabram@thebeaconjournal.com or 330-996-3758.
Carlos Jones has been the reigning Reggae King of Cleveland for nigh on 20 years, and in that time he has built a loyal following throughout Northeast Ohio.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Canton, OH
Posted 12:22 PM, 06/07/2009
REGGAE SUCKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Akron, Oh
Posted 11:00 AM, 06/11/2009
Such postive vibes at Carlos shows, I look forward to hearing the album, and good for NEO for having such talent bringing people together. There are sick, sad people in the world who don't know reggae but its their loss... ONE LOVE!
