Cleveland Reggae Artists United - 1992

"Papa Dave" Smeltz/
Ed "Cellis" Skinner/
Session "Butchie B" Buchanan/
Brignite "Ras Briggy" Hill/
Carlos Jones
-
Alright...
So after another deep dig into the dusty cassette tape archives, I have emerged with another golden nugget for you guys. When have you ever had the time to listen to random tapes with no labels or tracklists just to see what's on there? As it's been said, there's no time like the present, and so here we are.
Well, imagine my surprise when this started playing and it shocked me back to 1992, when I took it upon myself to seek out some of my bredren to join me in this version of a well known song (you all know it). I recorded the music tracks at home on my trusty little 4-track cassette recorder, and then went to each of the singers with tape deck and microphone in hand to get each one to contribute a verse. On it, we have "Papa Dave" Smeltz (I-tal), Ed "Cellis" Skinner (Satta), Session "Butchie B" Buchanan (Outlaws I&I) and Brignite "Ras Briggy" Hill (Brignite & Whitespot), with myself supplying a verse as well as backing vocals. 
Back then, there really wasn't a way to share music as easily as it is now. You had to make copies of a tape and physically take it or mail it to people. A lot of times, that just never happened - life's circumstances and the sands of time would eventually just bury things you'd done and you'd move on to the next whatever it was, no matter how good the intentions may have been at the time. This archeological find was quite a shocker because I had forgotten all about it, and listening to it now, I'm pretty amazed at how not bad it sounds for a 4-track recording, with the limited resources and limited skills I had at the time. And I don't think too many people besides myself have ever heard this, unless they came to my pad on Hampshire back in the day. So now, only 29 years later, this is finally seeing the light of day. I hope you enjoy it, and catch the vibes of Cleveland Reggae Artist United, as it should always be.
One Love,
Los
✌🏽💓🎶

One Love (Come Together)

Nyabinghi Ises to The Most High, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of The Tribe of Judah, Haile Selassie I - Jah Rastafari! 

Iditations

Back In Tha Day 2

Flashback:
So it was sometime in the spring of 1998 (I think) and Chopper and I are doing what we had done for so many years in the past, and that's putting a song together. The band we started in 1984, First Light, was in its last year of existence, but we still had that creative spark that had generated so many of the songs that people had come to know and love. This particular tune was a combination of music Chopper had come up with and lyrics that I wrote. We had done these things separately, but when I went over to Chop's that day and he played me what he had, I was like hey I've got these lyrics I think might work for this, and it just so happens that they fit like a hand in a glove! (I love it when that happens)  We didn't know at the time it was the last song we would write together for many many years. 

At that point in time our home recording technology was pretty basic, a 4-track cassette deck and a Boss DR-550 drum machine, but we laid it down in the living room and just kept it moving, thinking we would get back to it soon and clean it up and add this and that, but that never happened. What you're hearing now is basically the way it went down that day, with Chop on bass and me on guitar and vocal. I want to note that my voice sounds a little rough like Joe Cocker or somebody like that, because it was prior to my having surgery on my vocal chords to have nodes removed, caused by all the years of singing, but I think it adds character (yeah right)  

Anyway, the tape sat in a box in storage for a couple of decades and change, and hadn't seen the light of day until one day I was digging around in the basement and came across it. The song is called "What I Think" and what really strikes me is that the words I wrote over 20 years ago seem to fit in these times we're living in right here and now. 
At least that's what I think.

Los

                   What I Think
I think -
there has really got to be some kind of life on Mars
What kind of ego does it take to think we're the only thing living out here among the stars
When we look at the complete picture, once our little grain of sand is gone
What difference will it really have made?
Things and time will still go on

I think -
there's a major significance in what we're experiencing weather-wise
It's time to take a look around and for once in our short existence open up our eyes
The effect we've had on our planet is almost unbelieveable
Trying to overcome what we have done is what we face

I think - 
everybody oughta maybe start thinking about getting together
How can we ever add it up if all we ever do is take away?
We can hurt and kill each other for little or no reason
Trying to figure out what we're all about is just too intense

At least that's what I think
What I think
Gonna tell you what I think
That's what I think

(but hey that's just my opinion)
(you know what I'm saying?)
(yeah)

What I Think

January 6, 2022 - 
One year ago today, a megalomaniacal, power-mad, dictator wanna-be incited and directed a violent insurrection against our nation's Capitol building, in order to try and prevent the peaceful transfer of power in a free and fair election, based on the delusion that it was stolen from him. Who will answer for this threat to our democracy, which has stood for over 200 years?
How will this chapter be recorded in our history, and who will be here to write it?

Power (J-6 Remix)

One of my Mom's favorite songs. My brother and I put this together in celebration of her birthday, November 26th. We can just see her dancing and laughing like she loved to do, and it makes us feel like she's right here with us.

Twistin' The Night Away

I was having a conversation with a lady after one of our shows, and she was telling me how our music lifts her spirits from the heaviness of everyday life, refuels her energy and inspires her to keep going at it. What more could an artist ask for? That kind of feedback keeps ME going and lets me know I must be on the right track. #onelove #onevibration
🕯💓🎶✨😌

A NewTime

Light Warriors

I recorded this one just for fun, in celebration of finally seeing the sun. It makes my soul smile. So let's get together and groove awhile.

I Can See Clearly Now

A song that was given to me from a vision I had...

More Faith

Carlos Jones & the Plus Band LIVE @ Irie in Shaker Heights
FREE! Come experience the sounds of Carlos Jones & the PLUS Band! This local Reggae legend will be performing from 3-5pm at our Shaker Heights location, in the back parking lot. It’s the iRiE Shaker Heights Grand Opening Celebration. The first 50 people (after 3pm) will get a chicken bowl for 1/2 price! There will also be merchandise available, as well as our NEW Food Truck on site! Get some Jamaican food for dinner and enjoy your Saturday.
#iriejamaicankitchen #carlosjones #carlosjonesandtheplusband #carlosjonesirie #carlosjonesshow #carlosjoneslive #carlosjonesiriejamaicankitchen #livereggaeohio #livemusic #irieshakerheights #irienortheastohio #iriejamaicankitchenakron #jamaicanrestaurant #jamaicandelivery #clevelandreggae See less
— at Irie Jamaican Kitchen Shaker Heights.

(+) Irie Kitchen - Demo 2

How can there be peace without justice? 
Written and recorded many years ago, yet sadly, still so relevant today. #stopkillingus #ibwhandsup

Riot In The City

I woke up with the phrase "sometimes it's good to just dance" looping through my head, and this is what came from that 🎶

Sometimes It's Good

I wrote this one while staying here at Catcha Falling Star in Negril, Jamaica in 2007. My wife and I were celebrating our 10 year anniversary. Wouldn't you feel inspired if this is what you woke up to every day?

Catcha Falling Star

Crystal Moments - 

As life is rushing us downstream with nothing to grab and hold onto
the scenery on the shore a blur as it goes by
time goes rolling on and seems to go faster and faster
but every now and then an image will catch your eye 

we get a crystal moment - burned into our brain
that will stay forevermore

As we grow older with so many things to attend to
our worries and our problems like sand washing to shore
a pure moment of clarity washes over you
and you're suddenly in the center of the storm

we stop and get a crystal moment to take us away
and relieve our troubled hearts
Yes I said a crystal moment to have and to hold
a jewel of time that enriches your life
like when we stop and realize just how blessed we are to have these moments together
like the beauty of a rainbow that burns across the sky

And those crystal moments
will not fade away
They'll remain part of your soul

Yes those crystal moments
will not fade away
They'll remain part of your soul

Like the first morning rays of a new sunrise
or the very first time you hear your baby cry
It is a crystal moment...
_____

M. Eger / C. Jones


Crystal Moments

Lo-fi acoustic version of Marley's classic, recorded on my Yamaha 4-track cassette tape deck around 1991. Big up and respect to Bob Marley! His positive words and music set me on a path I walk to this day. 1 <3

Positive Vibration

One can never take for granted that they'll live to see tomorrow, so be sure to live life to the fullest today...

Jah Guide Over Us

Music track courtesy of Mantis TanTan Productions - 
 *Vocal - Resinance
 - Nyabinghi drums, vocals and readings - Carlos Jones

Congoman

Music To The Rescue

I'm sending this out with a special prayer that it might help somebody, somewhere, somehow feel just a little bit better - the way it has helped me.
This is the second version of a song I wrote back in 2013, that is dedicated to the memory of my Mom, who had always managed to make the holidays feel so special for me and my brothers. Looking back now and realizing all she had to deal with as a single parent, I am just amazed at her strength, her grace, her tenacity and her ability to make it seem like everything was alright, even when it really wasn't.
The first home demo version I recorded is on my Soundcloud page as well, if you'd like to check it out in its original form.  https://soundcloud.com/losplus/christmas
In the description there, you can find out what inspired it and how the song came about. All I'm going to say here is that it has really helped me to deal with the feelings of sadness and outright depression that sometimes come with the holidays, and especially with what we are experiencing right now - I don't even need to go into detail - I know we are all feeling it. Let's draw upon whatever good memories we have and try as best we can to make some new ones, with hopes for better days to come. 
Merry Christmas everybody. Be safe.
Peace & Love,
Carlos
🙏🏼💝🎶

Christmas (The Way It Used To Be)

I woke up one Easter morning many years ago and turned on the TV, and Rev. Jesse Jackson was on, conducting an Easter service. When the choir went into a song, this vibration just hit me like a bolt of lightning! It took me back to when I was a child sitting in the church where my grandfather was a pastor, and many of my uncles were deacons. The old folks were singing and clapping their hands and stomping those old, dusty floorboards, and that used to always inspire me. It was just one of those moments - and right then I felt this song come to me and I had to grab my guitar and sit down and write this song.  It was done in 10 minutes, and I immediately went to my tape deck and started recording. This is exactly the way I recorded it that morning.

Easter Day

I felt the spirit move this morning
as I started out my day
It came suddenly without warning
when I heard that gospel play
I started laughing, started singin
and a little tear rolled down my face
I felt the spirit move this morning
as I started out my day

Oh I heard thunder
and I saw lightning
Felt it move down in my soul
I said Lord have mercy on your poor children
In your hands lies all control
Us sinners know you gave your life
so that our sins would be washed away
And if you walk beside me
walk beside me Jesus
I'll fall down on my knees and pray

Oh I felt the spirit move this morning
as I started out my day
It came suddenly without warning
when I heard that old gospel play
I started laughing, started singin'
and a little tear rolled down my face
Singin' glory, glory hallelujah!
Christ has risen on Easter day

Easter Day

This is a song I first wrote and recorded 8 years ago, in celebration of George's 70th birthday. (He is now 78)The style of music is called Mento, which pre-dates what we know as Reggae and even Ska. It is more closely related to Calypso and is truly the "folk music" of Jamaica, sort of like what bluegrass is in America. Keep in mind that lyrically, I'm using some dialect/phrases common to the region and the style of music so there may be some words you don't understand. It is my tribute to the many great artists that were popular in Jamaica in the 50s and 60s, such as Harold Richardson, Count Lasher,  Count Sticky, Lord Tanamo and many others. 
For more information on Mento music, there is a great website here: http://www.mentomusic.com/index.htm

Bredda G
I met him in the summer of 78
for my destiny I was not late
for I-man was just a youth of 20
and I & I had just seen Bob Marley 
steppin lively inna ital vibration
the reggae riddim was rockin the nation
inna dis little club down inna Cleveland
I met this bredda by the name of George Gordon

we call him Bredda G
Bredda G Bredda G
you mek we feel irie

when I first step inna de place
I catch the vibe from the drum and bass
everyone there was going crazy
and the atmosphere was kinda hazy
I tell him say man I would like to jam
him say first you must go talk to that man
Papa D him say tek up your drum and come
And from that day on we were having fun - 	      thank you Bredda G

from Athens to Carolina
Nantucket Chicago and Canada
jammin with my big brother
going everywhere together
irie vibes wherever we go
rockers rule pon de radio
we were keeping the fiya burning
and to this day I'm still learning
 
say Bredda G him a go jump and skank it
say Bredda G him a go rock and come in deh
say Bredda G a go water pumpy
and den me say him a go knock pon de kete

see Bredda G him a go wine it up
see Bredda G him a go dip and go down deh
see Bredda G him a go wheel and turn
him mek it cool & deadly pon de tambourine

he is well known every where you go
same name as Lord Tanamo
from New York to his native land
he got his tambourine well in hand
footwork you would not believe
always got something up his sleeve
me say him smooth as a man can get
In all of 70 years him never miss a step yet

hey Bredda G    Yes I!   this your I-nIversary
Bredda G bredda G now - happy birthday
can not believe you're 70 (8)

hey bredda g - this your InIiversary
you still got that same lively step I see
hey my Bredda G it so good to be
by your side makin people feel irie
At this point in time what can I say 
than to honor his 78th birthday
so people come join with me
and we gonna big up our Bredda G  

say Bredda G him a go jump and prance
say Bredda G him a go rock and come in
say Bredda G a go water pumpy
and den me say him a go knock pon de kete

see Bredda G him a go wine it up now
see Bredda G him a go dip and go down deh
see Bredda G him a go wheel and turn
him mek it cool an deadly pon de tambourine
 
in dis ya one me tell dem hold him Joe
moon a shine pon de Natto Bay road
say the vibe it a go ital irie
to de man we tell him happy birthday

Bredda G

A Bob classic. I recorded this in Liv-ication to someone who asked me to play it for a departed loved one.  Peace &  blessings to you and yours. 
1 <3

No Woman No Cry (acoustic version)

I wrote this one a few years back, and have always fantasized about recording it with an all-star cast of Cleveland musicians.  Maybe one day that will happen. In the meantime, I figured I'd go ahead and let you guys hear this demo, since it is dedicated to you and the city I love. It has been 40 years since I first set foot on the Cleveland music scene, and it has been quite a journey from then til now.
Big up to Dreadlock Dave Mcdougald, one of Cleveland's own, for laying down some funky bass on this track :-)

Cleveland I'm Feelin U - feat. Dreadlock Dave

Coming In From The Cold

Hey it's your brother Los coming to you from "tha pad" where I'm hanging in and staying safe. I'm encouraging others to do what they can to try and slow and stop the spread of this deadly virus, which is threatening to overtake us. Much respect for and prayers to the ones who are out there on the front lines, at risk to their own health and safety, to help others during this time of crisis.

This Corona (Real Rock)

On this day and EVERY day, I seek to amplify the voice of Love, Unity and Justice, because the voice of hate, division and  discrimination has been too loud, for too long. I felt it was important to put this message out into the world immediately, instead of waiting for the release of the album we've been working on, which had to be delayed because of conditions brought about by the pandemic, Especially now as we are in the struggle against having our voting rights, for which Dr. King and so many others fought for so fervently, diminished and stripped away. The stakes could not be higher. We find ourselves in a place where truth, compassion, decency and honor seem to be in short supply, and people who have no shame or grasp on reality are willing to do whatever it takes to take control and hold power and dominance over our society. They simply don't care how it looks, or what lengths they have to go to, as long they get what they're after. It's going to take great effort and force of will to resist this tide of evil, and those who came before us are watching and hoping that we won't let everything they fought for, and some died for, just slip away. I just want to remind everyone that however things turn out; we, as a race of humans are going to have reach down deep inside to try and find the will and determination to NOT sink to the level of the worst of our nature, but work to raise our collective consciousness and do the things that will allow us to survive and create a better life and a brighter future. 
This is a dream I know I share with many, so I'm using my voice the best way I know how - to shine Light in this darkness.
The time is RIGHT NOW!!!

(song can be downloaded at https://itunes.apple.com/album/id1538243297)

A New Day

NOW Is The Time!

I know some days, it feels like the sun will never come out again, and the sadness will never go away.
Sometimes we just gotta go through it to get to the other side.
Have you ever felt like Monday will never end?
I've been there, but I believe a better day is coming...

Groove Telepathy

Still Monday

Just a vibe I was feeling one morning when I woke up...

LosDrum Riddim

Written at a time when I needed some positive reinforcement to keep going. That was over 25 years ago - so far so good...

Walking In The Light

It's Throwback Thursday - And I've got a good one for you...
I was recently digging through a crate of old cassette tapes and found this little nugget - a tape I had recorded many many years ago, recorded on a little boombox that was just sitting onstage - 

So right now I'd like to throw it back to a late summer night in 1979...
The scene: a hot, cramped little bar called Mother's, in Kent, Ohio. The band was called I-tal.
I was 21 and had been hanging around with the band for about a year at that point, basically following them from place to place, and they would allow me to jam with them on percussion. I was kind of like a stray cat they had fed once and after that I just kept coming back, because I knew I could get my musical handout. This particular night, I was in my usual spot, which was either off to the side of the stage, or in this particular case, tucked in a corner on the floor just in front of the keyboards. It didn't matter to me - I just wanted to play. We were a couple songs into the second set and just as Papa Dave (Smeltz) was about to start the next song, Ellie (keyboards) hollers, "Carlos! Come on get kinky!" Now, in any other setting, that might mean something totally different, but in this particular case it meant they were about to play "Kinky Reggae", and she was calling me up to come and sing backups! (you can actually hear that moment on the tape) Needless to say, I wasted no time, and that night was my official vocal debut with the band. Not long after that I was made a permanent member, and the rest, as they say, was history. If you there during those times, I'm sure you remember all the good times we had, at Peabody's, Pirates Cove, The Agora, Coventry Street Fair, Hessler Street Fair, and all of the college towns and far-flung places we'd travel to and bring the Roots Rock Reggae vibes. What a time...
If you got stories, I'd love to hear 'em. And be sure to thank Papa Davey for pioneering Cleveland Reggae in a Rock-n-Roll town.

Kinky Reggae - I-tal Kent 1979

Carlos Jones has been sharing his musical inspiration with Cleveland and the surrounding area for over 40 years, earning him the unofficial designation of  “The Iron-man of Cleveland Reggae”. Born in Virginia, his earliest musical influence was the gospel music he heard in the church where his grandfather preached. In the mid-60s his family moved to Frankfurt, Germany, where he became fascinated by the Beatles and other popular music of the time. A few years later, after moving back to the states, his main musical interests were Soul, Jazz, Blues and Rock music, until he discovered Reggae in the mid 70s, which led him to seeing Bob Marley perform and then joining one of Cleveland's first local Reggae bands. He started out in 1978 as a side-man (percussion/vocals) with I-tal, one of Cleveland’s first homegrown Reggae groups, and then in 1984, split off from I-tal along with several other members to form the group, First Light.

Carlos developed as the front man/lead vocalist for First Light and honed his songwriting skills during its 14 year run as one of the top drawing bands in the area, playing shows at clubs, colleges and festivals all over the eastern half of the United States and in Canada. During that time, First Light released several recordings on vinyl, cassette and CD on the independent label, Thin Ice Records.

By 1994, a few years before First Light disbanded, Carlos’ next project was already underway. The Peace Love Unity Syndicate, which would later become known as Carlos Jones & The PLUS Band, was already playing shows in the area, and people were starting to take notice. His goal was to get back to the more spiritual and positive messages in Reggae music that had captured his heart from the start, back when Reggae was first gaining worldwide attention through artists like Jimmy Cliff, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Peter Tosh, Toots & The Maytals, Culture, Third World and Burning Spear, all of whom he's had the pleasure of sharing the stage with over the years. 

Now with 27 years under his belt with the current group, Carlos continues to keep the Reggae fire burning with his steadfast allegiance to the positive vibration, lifting hearts and stirring souls every time he and his band take the stage. The PLUS Band has three full length releases to date: Roots With Culture (2004), Leave A Trail (2009) and their first live recording called "Live From Cleveland", which came out in 2016. A 4-song EP, Positive Vibrations, was released in 2011, and they have sporadically released several singles over the past few years. All are on Little Fish Records, an independent Cleveland label run by his manager, Larry Koval, who has been with Jones since 1998. The band is currently working on a new album to be titled "A New Day", which they hope to release this summer.

Now, at the age of 62, when asked about his plans for the future, he'll tell you, "I'm just grateful to see every new day, and to be given the opportunity to make each one the best I can. I'll just keep moving forward, and follow the path where it leads, you know? Promoting positivity , peace, love and understanding betweeen people is my life's purpose and I'm blessed to be able to do what I love. What more could I ask out of life?"

His official website is www.carlosjones.com

losplus

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