Events Calendar
In This Section
Most Read Stories
Family found dead in Ohio home
Man gets 3 years in prison for having sex with horse
Sex-toy study at Duke University raises some eyebrows
Brown still testing Cavs' lineup
Robbers order bar patrons to empty pockets
Akron man turns himself in after authorities turn up heat
Take comfort in knowing Browns could be bigger losers
Man appears alive at own funeral
Blogs:
Pets:
Not 101 Dalmations…but close!
The Heldenfiles:
Friday Notebook
Patrick McManamon:
For your perusal
Akron Zips:
The morning after
Tribe Matters:
Tribe makes roster moves
Cleveland Browns:
Lewis doesn't like boycott
Kent State Sports:
Kent State falls to Akron, 20-28
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Gameblog: Cavs at Knicks
Buckeye Blogging:
Weekly ‘B’ Deck Report – New Mexico St.
Varsity Letters:
Wrestling, bowling teams prepare for season
All Da King's Men:
If It Looks Like Islamic Terrorism…
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Dems Message To Women: Don't Enjoy The Sex
Akron Law Café:
Health Care Financing Reform: (62) The Stupak Amendment
See Jane Style:
Muffle Your Muffler
Car Chase:
Perfect Weather for an Autumn Drive
Let's Talk Real Estate:
RUMORS: Downtown Restaurant Explosion
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Jack is looking for a trip to Southern Ohio the week of November 16.
Sound Check:
The Black Keys to perform benefit concert at Musica on November 27
HRLite House:
Personal Rant – Why People Do Not Live in Northeast Ohio
Akron Gamer:
New 'Call of Duty' could set entertainment record
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
Click here to post your comments
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!
