I was inspired to write this song in tribute to the man whose words and music illuminated my mind and heart with the desire to try and do the same for others. The philosophy of positive action and attitude is the same that was instilled in me by my parents, so what I do now to carry on that legacy is just a natural progression of those who went before me. The goal is just to do my part to add some Light into the darkness, and encourage others to do the same. All those who know and feel the One Love vibration, carry that same spark and keep the flame burning for all to see. Pass it on!

TORCHBEARER - Carlos Jones & The PLUS Band

Respect to the man called Bob Marley!  International hero, Reggae prophet. 
Born: 1945 - NEVER DIED!!!. 

Gonna tell you about Bob Marley 
Brother Bob Marley was a torchbearer 
so I've got to carry a flame 
I'm gonna hold my candle high 
praising JAH JAH name
Yes he was a torchbearer 
and he lit the spark to a flame 
Lighting the way for all to see 
so we could do the same 
I and I can do the same

Yes he was a Rastaman 
Congo bongo Niyaman 
Coming with a vibration 
Spreading out across the land 
Coming to us from St. Ann  yeah 
Way down in Jamaica 
I said he was the only son 
of a white man and a black woman 
On the streets he used to run yeah 
with Neville Livingston 
And Peter MacIntosh 
Me said him used to sing 
inna de ghetto would their voices ring yeah 
With the Wailers band 
and Rita Anderson 
The legend soon began yeah 
when they say "simmer down" 
Man they really had the sound 
that really ruled the town 
Chanting all oppressors down 
Nyabinghi shake the ground 
When they say "Trenchtown Rock" 
the roadblock was at three o'clock 

He was the one JAH chosen 
to carry a message in this time 
In every corner of the world - to everyone 
Though they say cancer took him 
it could not erase what he left behind 
The truth goes marching on - on and on

Brother Bob Marley was the torchbearer 
so I've got to carry a flame 
I'm gonna hold my candle high 
and praise up JAH JAH name 
Yes he was a torchbearer 
and he lit the spark to a flame 
Lighting the way for all to see 
so that we could do the same 
I and I can do the same.

JAH know that I and I carry a flame 
JAH know that I and I carry a flame 
cause I feel dem spirit 
feel dem spirit 
feel dem spirit 
Lord I thank you
Lord I thank you 
Cause I'm gonna put it on 
I'm gonna put it on 
I'm gonna put it on 
Good Lord hear me 
Good Lord hear me 
Cold ground was my bed last night 
and rocks was my pillow too 
Cold ground was my bed last night 
and rocks was my pillow too 
Yes Brother Bob say...
So be not selfish in your doings - pass it on
Help your Brother, help your Sister
Just pass it on, pass it on, pass it on
Shine your Light!

From the CD: Roots With Culture  
Little Fish Records  http://www.littlefishrecords.com

Torchbearer

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

Torchbearer

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