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

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

Bredda G

losplus