|
||||||||
Carlos' Corner News The
Carlos / First Light Classic "Apartment Living" is Featured in the
Trailer for the New
Movie "Surfer, Dude" starring Willy Nelson, Woody from Cheers, and
Matthew McConaughey
CLICK HERE to See for Yourself! Go to wavewatch.com for your local surf forecasts
First Light reunion brings founder Carlos Jones full circle Reunion brings founder Carlos Jones full circle Thursday, June 19, 2008 Michael HeatonPlain Dealer Reporter Cleveland's Mr. Reggae, Carlos Jones, will be 50 this August. He is celebrating a 30-year musical journey that spans three bands: I-tal, First Light and Jones' current outfit, the P.L.U.S. Band (Peace Love Unity Syndicate). "Carlos is a great ambassador of the Cleveland music scene," said Packy Malley, a local reggae promoter. "He is an excellent musician and is one of the coolest cats you will ever meet. He always treats everyone with respect -- fellow musicians, club owners and even embarrassing fans. He makes everyone feel better. He gives respect and gets respect." That sentiment will be put to the test when First Light comes together for a reunion show Saturday night at The Plain Dealer Pavilion in Cleveland's Flats. "This has the feeling of coming full circle," Jones said recently, while rehearsing with First Light bandmates at the Audio Kreme studio on East 185th Street in Cleveland amid Persian rugs, stacked amps and stray musical instruments. "I'm both amazed and amused." Jones grew up an Army brat. His family settled in 1969 in Maple Heights, when his mom told his dad she was done rambling around the country with three kids. His dad took a job at a Veterans Administration hospital. Jones has an older brother, Ngoki, now a street musician in Santa Barbara, Calif., and a younger brother, Norm, who teaches percussion music to children in Los Angeles. As kids, the Jones boys jammed with other musicians in the neighborhood. In 1978, Carlos saw Bob Marley and the Wailers at the Music Hall in downtown Cleveland. "It was a life-changing experience," Jones said. "It felt like a church more than anything else. "The stage was ablaze with flames and incense and colored lights and flags and banners. Everyone in the place was moving wall to wall and corner to corner, while one skinny little guy had the whole scene in the palm of his hand. My whole life took a left turn after that night." That same year, he began frequenting a place in University Circle called The Coach House (which later became Club Isabella's), where he could see his favorite band -- Cleveland's only American reggae band at the time -- I-tal. The band's leader was Dave Smeltz, who worked at Record Revolution on Coventry Road in Cleveland Heights. "Carlos would sit by the side of the stage and play his bongos right along with the band," Smeltz remembers. "Eventually, I asked him up on the stage -- and shortly after that, he just became part of the band." I-tal had a growing following playing at the Euclid Tavern, Peabody's Cafe and Mother's in Kent. Jones was 20 when he quit his job as an auto mechanic in Bedford to pursue music full time. He has never had a day job since. The nine-piece band played four to five shows a week. Jones was making $500 a week and sharing a house with a couple of other guys. In 1984, I-tal split up over creative differences (and a girl). Jones wanted to write more songs and sing more lead. The next year, he and four other guys formed First Light. The band had more rock and rhythm-and-blues influences. "We were saying to each other that it was a new day for our band. A new dawn. Then somebody said First Light, and it stuck. We covered Marley, Peter Tosh and Third World tunes mixed in with our own originals," Jones said. "I give Dave [Smeltz] credit. He paved the way. We had a built-in following because of the popularity of I-tal." The first First Light performance was in 1985, when they opened for the Clash. The band worked steadily from 1985 to 1998. Because of the I-tal roots -- and because three of the five band members wore their hair in dreadlocks -- they became known as a reggae band. Their cult classic album "Reggae Meltdown" sold more than 12,000 copies without a record label. But First Light was more than just reggae. "We crashed musical boundaries," Jones said with glee. "We played pop, funk, country, gospel. We had a rehearsal gig at the Grog Shop last week. We still play the pants off that stuff." Ed Marthey is First Light's keyboard player. "From the time I auditioned for the band," Marthey said, "Carlos was always the assumed leader. He always had this aura of impartiality that good leaders use to keep things together. He has a calming influence on some of the more nervous members of the band. Including myself. Without him, the band would have imploded much earlier than it did." In 1997, Jones gave First Light a year's notice. It was the same year he married his wife, Dori. She works at an accounting firm. "She sacrificed herself to the office gods so I can do my thing," Jones said with love and gratitude. The beginning of the end of the band and his getting married were both part of a natural evolution for Jones. The life of a party band on the road was getting to him. The drugs, the alcohol and the women were combining to create a self-destructive lifestyle. His focus had shifted to family. It was time to come off the road. He also began caring for his mother, Mary, who was in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. She died in 2005. "It was all about coming to know who I am and what I wanted to say with my music," Jones said of his current project, the P.L.U.S. Band. "I turned toward spirituality after my mom passed on. It was a milestone and rite of passage for me. It led me to seek a higher understanding." The P.L.U.S. Band has a more spiritual, roots-reggae flavor than First Light. Today, Jones is an enthusiastic biker, hiker and environmentalist. Though he still enjoys a shot of Cuervo tequila after a show. "Exercising and being healthy is my drug of choice now," he said. He recently took his daughter, Soraya, 18, for a tour of the Kent State University campus, where she will attend college in the fall. He has another daughter, Rachel, 20, from a previous relationship. Last year, all the members of First Light came together at the funeral of Larry Rhodes, their former soundman. There, the reunion seed was planted. "We thought it might be a good idea for us to get together for another show," said Jones. "You know . . . before it's too late." To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: mheaton@plaind.com, 216-999-4569  View Carlos Jones & The PLUS Band's EPK  To send cards and condolences:
Michelle Benton & Family 6646 Tupelo St Bedford, OH 44146 Darren
"Bassie" Benton was one of the most sought after reggae bass players in
Ohio, building his resume with groups like Earth Force, Stagalag, and
Dubflex, and has backed many internationally known acts such as Eek A
Mouse, Don Carlos, Michael Rose and Ken Boothe, to name just a
few. Equally adept at jazz, funk and R&B, he could
also play trumpet, piano and drums. He played bass with The PLUS band
during the summer of 2007, filling in for Cholly, who was
recovering from an injury. Bassie was a big guy with a big heart and a
great sense of humor. He would keep us cracking up with the stories
he'd tell. He was a loving father and husband and worked hard to
provide for his family, sometimes working two jobs as well as playing
out. He leaves behind a wife and four children. Our thoughts and
prayers go out to his family at their time of loss.
Well, it's here folks - Hessler Street Fair is back! And as always, PLUS will kick off the fesivities at the Barking Spider www.barkingspidertavern.com Peace thru music, Los  Anyone who came of age during the early 80s through the late 90s in Ohio and surrounding states, has probably either heard First Light or heard of them. Formed in 1984 from original members of another legendary Cleveland reggae band, I-tal, First Light dominated the Cleveland music scene with their powerful and eclectic sound for nearly 15 years. Constantly traveling the country, playing clubs, colleges and festivals, they were, for a lot of people, the first exposure to live reggae music, and were able to garner crossover appeal due to their infusion of r&b, rock, jazz and funk. Their first full length CD, "Meltdown", was actually the very first album on compact disc to be released by a local band in Cleveland, and became an indie classic that is still sought after to this day, with online sales and downloads steadily growing. Live Nation (formerly Belkin Productions)
just announced Wednesday, that the bands first show in 10 years will
take place at The Plain Dealer Pavilion (formerly Nautica Stage) on
June 21st, dubbing it "The Return of The Light" which coincides with
the summer solstice. Tickets go on sale Saturday, March 29th, with
the show expected to sell out quickly, due to the band's loyal and
expansive fan base. This show is being touted as a summer highlight and
a triumphant return for one of Cleveland's own. It is definitely not
to be missed!
For ticket and show info, go to http://www.livenation.com/artist/getArtist/artistId/487747/
Updates and info can also be found at www.carlosjones.com
Have YOU heard the Light? Check out the message my people - USE YOUR VOICE! http://losplus.imeem.com/ I'm encouraging everyone to do their part to help make a change in our reality in this country. It's easy to sit back and complain about how things are, but we have a real chance to help make a difference. This is a historically significant time, and we should all take the opportunity and let our collective voice be heard. Let's stand up and be counted my Brothers and Sisters - SAY IT LOUD! USE YOUR VOICE - Carlos Jones It may look like they've taken everything But there's still a way for us to make a change First, you got to get up! - and get movin' We got to call the play It's still up to us to take a stand And we can have our say - come on now use your voice! use your voice! use your voice! don't lose your choice Don't let nobody tell you there's no chance and that one voice has no significance It might seem harder for us to win but you'll surely lose if you just give in, so. use your voice! use your voice! use your voice! don't lose your choice Yes there's an abundance of dirty tricks And the good of the people gets lost in politics Now the clock is ticking people, it's our ball Don't you dare to miss your chance to make the call so, come on and use your voice! use your voice! use your voice! don't lose your choice I know they've got their technological trickery And they will not give up power easily All their roadblocks and diversions may have brought you to the conclusion that the system's broken but you got to make sure your word is spoken - come on now use your voice! use your voice! use your voice! don't lose your choice You may feel our power's been taken away but the truth is gonna have to come to light one day They know that people are not satisfied So they want to take us for a ride - come on I say USE YOUR VOICE! RAISE YOUR VOICE! copyright 2008 Carlos Jones If we want things to change in this country, we've got to use every means available to us. Exercising our right to vote is one of them. Use your voice - VOTE!! www.carlosjones.com www.myspace.com/carlosjones booking & contact info: Crosstrack Music - Little Fish Records Larry Koval P.O. Box 19164 Cleveland, OH 44119 216-481-1634 lkoval@msn.com info@littlefishrecords.com Date: 2/20/08 Subject: Rhythm Child Network Rhythm Child:  Los's Brother - Norm Jones Site and You Tube Video
Date: 2/11/08 Subject: What a Weekend! Thanks to all you beautiful people who packed the house at Park Street in Columbus, and Grog Shop and The Parkview this past weekend. It was a major lovefest that even the lowest temperatures couldn't put a damper on. I know Buckwheat Zydeco had a good time here in Cleveland, and big ups to Mo Mojo who showed 'em how it's done Saturday night. The Reggae Brunch (#12, I think) was so much fun I didn't even realize we were going on 5 hours. No wonder I'm a little tired! No worries though. By the time we hit the Greenville this Fri., I'll be back to full steam - PLUS... we got Tropidelic opening the show! - http://www.myspace. So, much love y'all. 2008 is up and running, and it's feeling IRIE! Los Date: 2/4/08 Subject: I'm BACK!!! Hey everyone! This past weekend was my first time playing out in about three weeks after having inner-ear surgery. It was good to be with the crew and making music again. I sure missed it! And judging by the folks that turned out at The Spider last night, I guess you guys did too. I appreciate you tearing yourselves away from the Super Bowl to come down and show us love. Big up to Clyde, Shakti, and the Karma Yoga center for having me down at their anniversary party Saturday, which was a blast! Congrats you guys, much love. Also, thanks to all of you that extended your well wishes during my recovery. Everything went great and my hearing is coming back gradually and gets a little better with each day. The thought of being able to hear well on both sides is pretty exciting! So, now it's time to get busy and go full steam into '08. There's going to be a lot of new developments, so stay tuned. I just dropped a new tune on my Myspace page, so go check it out - www.myspace.
First Light Memories...
Press
Release: Local filmmaker wins
top spot at Sundance
Carlos Mentioned in a review of "North Starr" from The Hollywood Reporter:  Click Here to See It! I am proud to announce the coming release of a stunning dramatic film by one of Cleveland's own, Matthew Stanton, a young filmmaker from Chagrin Falls, Ohio who followed his vision to Houston, Texas, then ultimately to Los Angeles. His full-length film, North Starr was selected to be in the top 16 out of thousands of entries, and will premiere at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival on January 20th, 2008 in Park City, Utah. Nationwide release will be soon to follow. The movie also features music from another well known local artist, Carlos Jones, a longtime Cleveland resident who has carved out a 30 year performing and recording career with such groups as I-Tal, First Light, and his current group Carlos Jones & The PLUS Band. This collaboration has been long in the making for both artists and a labor of love brought together by serendipitous events in their lives. This acceptance by the independent film community is a validation of the faith, perseverance and hard work put into the project by Stanton and all involved. For more info, go to: http://www.sundance.org/festival/ http://www.sundance.org/festival/film_events/SFF08_Film%20Guide.pdf  Attention
Bands! Subject:
Thank you
I
want to thank everyone who came out to the House Of Blues last night and Friday, September 28, 2007
John Benson
Special to The Plain Dealer Carlos Jones plans a solo CD, then another with PLUS Band Carlos Jones, reggae Hometown: Woodmere Years performing: 29 Day gig: professional musician Veteran Cleveland-area musician Carlos Jones has a few irons
in the fire regarding his solo career and his Peace Love Unity
Syndicate (better known as P.L.U.S.) Band. "I've been doing
compilations with various artists around Cleveland and look forward to
putting out a solo CD of material," said Jones, a 1976 Maple Heights
High School graduate. "It's something that's been in the works for
quite some time." Jones hopes to have the solo project out next year.
Also in the mix for a 2008 release is the sophomore album from Jones
and the P.L.U.S. Band. New songs include "Music to the Rescue," "Leave
a Trail" and "Catch a Falling Star." Jones wrote the latter track
recently while on vacation in (surprise, surprise) Jamaica. Erstwhile
member of I-Tal, Jones hints another of his former bands, First Light,
could be getting close to traveling down reunion lane. While in Jamaica:
Planning a trip to Jamaica? Carlos had a great stay in Negril at Catch a Falling Star 
 Greetings everyone!
Here are the words to the song. I'm
working on the recording now. I'm already spreading the word up here
about the place and plan to put a link to your site up on my page, so
don't be surprised if you get some folks coming down
saying "Carlos sent us."
Thanks again for the wonderful time.
(A special hail up to
Andrea & Barbara!)
Carlos
CATCHA FALLING STAR
Irie feeling is what it is…
Got my feet up on the rail and no
worries on my mind
while the sun paints the western sky
And as far as the eye can see…
The water stretches out to greet the
horizon
And I know that soon the only light
we’ll see is that of a million stars
And I believe right now I could catch
one – that’s right
I could catcha falling star
I could catcha falling star
The way this feels right now I wish
could be the rest of my life
So sweet the taste like mango, banana
and sugarcane
Sampling all the island has to offer
and savoring the juice
I will catch a falling star and never
turn it loose
I will catcha falling star
Yes I will catcha falling star
When you catcha falling star, no
matter where you are
You can always get that feeling when
you remember the inspiration
You can catcha falling star
You can catcha falling star
Now I know that there are troubles
And that not everything is Irie
Cause the people they have to struggle
Just to get from day to day
But still I’ve got to thank the Father
For sunshine air and water
And I’ll say my daily prayer
That Jah will bless my sweet
And I will catcha falling star
Yes I will catcha falling star
When you catcha falling star
People come from near and far
When life is running you ragged
And you need a soul vacation, yeah
You can catcha falling star
You can catcha falling star
Now I’ve got to thank Jah Jah
For allowing me the pleasure
I’ll hold on to this memory forever
And this feeling I will treasure, yeah
And I will catcha falling star
Yes I will catcha falling star
And when we catcha falling
star, no matter where we are
We will always get this feeling when
we remember the inspiration, yeah
And we will catcha falling star
We will catcha falling star
Carlos Jones – 7/17/07 Hey, check it out sometime - it's pretty cool! Live webcasts from Negril every day of the week. click or copy & paste http://www.realnegr Carlos appeared
on www.sportstalkcleveland.com
on April 21st. They have posted the show to their archive
section.
Carlos's interview runs from about 30 minutes to 74 minutes during the
show. Click the link below:
Total Extreme Live - - 04.21.07 Show - CLICK HERE   "My daughter Mikayla (next to Los) and my neice Olivia loved dancing around and wanted to get a pic with him. The best part of this was on Monday my daughter told me she wanted to go to Shooters to see Bob Marley again." Eddy Coyne 7/1/07 at Shooters  .    The
Latest from Carlos and PLUS VIBES Yahoo Group:
Subject: Greetings from Jamaica Just wanted to give a quick shout to everyone while I'm here in Negril. This is a rare moment of computer access, and it won't last long - the water's calling. Wishing everyone Irie vibes and Jah bless until we get home and pick up where we left off, seen? Alright, until then... Peace & Love Los  Date: 6/30/07 Subject: NEW! Reggae Wednesdays Reggae Wednesdays are back!! Every Wed. 8pm to midnight at: KAMIKAZE Coffehouse - 4630 Warrensville Ctr. Rd. (in Warrensville Hts.) 216-663-2895 DJ Ras Khalifa spins the best in Roots Reggae & Dancehall and more! (w/ special guest appearances by local artists and live performances) Get there early! Admission will be $3 before 9:00 pm - $5 after (This is a smoke-free, alcohol free establishment, but BYOB is cool and smokers are welcome on the front patio.) Bring your IRIE vibes and show the East Side some love. Let's make this a scene! I'll see you there! Los Date: 4/27/07 Subject: John Bassette Tribute Yep, you got it. Here's that John Bassette song I did, along with the link to the official tribute website. http://www.johnbassette.org/ Even though I didn't record my song in time for it to be included on the CD, I encourage people to get it. It's excellent! Some of Cleve-town's best interpret his songs in a beautifully crafted and well put together tribute to the man and his music. John was a masterful songwriter and storyteller, and I'm so glad to be re-discovering his music, not just through this compilation, but also through the original recordings of his spanning over 3 decades. One of Cleveland's own folk heroes, gone but not forgotten by those who were touched by his music and his presence. "We've been through so much together." Los Go To the Downloads Page to Hear "Been
Through So Much Together"
Date: 4/26/07 Subject: Tri-C CD Release Party Tri-C's "Crooked River Groove Records" has released performances from 6 different artists who performed live at the Tri-C Wi-Fi Cafe, including a Carlos Jones live solo/acoustic performance. Click on the Link to purchase your own copy. 
Carlos in Print Carlos
Article:
Carlos wrote an article
entitled "Ancient River" for the March / April 2007 "The Journey"
magazine. Click Here to read the article for yourself. To read this interview, go to www.thejourneymag.com - Click on the November - December 2005 Back Issue Link. You can pick up a current copy at any of these locations:
To
reach Clyde Chafer at
The Journey magazine and Karma Yoga:
Ph
# 440-223-1392
Sunday,
September
17, 2006
Michael
Heaton
It was the party wedding of the year. Four hundred guests gathered on Sept. 9 at St. Peter Church in Cleveland to celebrate the wedding of Packy Malley and Kym Pettit. Packy and Kym are known for their love of music, especially reggae. Malley's One Love Productions has been hosting the annual Midwest Reggae Fest in Geauga County for 14 years. There was no reggae played at St. Peter, but the first reading was by local reggae musician Carlos Jones. Malley and Pettit, who is studying to become a court reporter, met two years ago at a Jones concert at a downtown coffeehouse, an establishment the couple returned to recently with a visiting friend. "We were at A.J. Rocco's downtown and we told him that this was where we met during a Carlos Jones show," Kym said during the reception. "And I said, in fact, this is the exact spot where we were standing when we met. Then I looked down on the floor and there was the shape of a heart in the cement. I screamed when I saw it. I said, Packy, look!'" The second reading was by renowned Bob Marley historian and lecturer Roger Steffens. When complimented on his stentorian delivery, Steffens replied, "I had a good writer." The reception took place in Voinovich Bicentennial Park behind the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum under a massive, steel-beamed tent with three chandeliers. Ernie Krivda and the Fat Tuesday Big Band got the party rolling and were followed by Carlos Jones and PLUS Band. Marty Dread, a reggae musician from Hawaii who met the couple during a recent engagement vacation, flew nine hours to sing the couple the Smokey Robinson song, "Cruisin." Malley was greeted by his father, Bill, retired president of Malley's Chocolates, at the wedding party table just before the music began. "Packy, now that you've called this meeting and we're all here, what do you want to do?" Packy, a Malley's account executive, didn't miss a beat. "Drink and dance," he said. Packy, an Ohio State University graduate, had an inflatable 10-foot-by-10-foot television screen behind the tent so fans could watch the Buckeyes smoke Texas 24-7. After the game the celebration continued with a 20-minute fireworks display that lighted the park. Hard-partying revelers were treated to a midnight reggae cruise on the Goodtime III. When a wedding photographer took some portrait shots of the newlyweds in front of a beautiful Lake Erie sunset, he asked Malley not to hold his new bride so tight. "Sorry, man," Malley said. "I'm in love." The couple honeymooned in -- where else -- Jamaica. To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: mheaton@plaind.com,
216-999-4569 Congrats to
Packy and Kym! Press Play Below to See a PSA that Featured Carlos for Cuyahoga County's Vote Campaign
PLUS in the News: Here is a review of the PLUS Band CD that was in a recent issue of THE BEAT Magazine by Chuck Foster, a reknowned journalist. This appeared in his monthly column - REGGAE UPDATE:
Carlos
Jones & the PLUS Band offer Roots With Culture (Little
Fish Records). Powerd by sinewy riddims rotted in the
arena-reggae style, soaring keyboards, searing electric guitar, plenty
of percussion and Jones' believable lead vocals augmented with harmony
and call-and-response backing vocals, they sound like a band that
can come across strong in a live setting. Irie vibes predominate
on cuts like "Jah Guide Over Us", "Touching Home Again" (which segues a
musical quote from the Meditations' "Woman Is Like A Shadow" into the
riddim of Burning Spear's "Creation Rebel" and ties it all together
with a burning Chicago blues-style harmonica) and the Nyahbinghi-based
"Iditations" which opens with a spoken-word introduction from Ras
Pidow.
Undoubtedly, the most
played song off this album will be the Bob Marley tribute
"Torchbearer". Am I mistaken in thinking "State of Jah Music" is
written in response to some of my own comments that opened a "Reggae
Update" column in The Beat? Heartfelt songs delivered with good
playing and top-flight production values. (www.littlefishrecords.com)
Here
are some recent
photos from Steve
Pryor. Indoor shots are from the JimMiller gig from the
Fall. Outdoor shots are from 2005 Midwest Reggae Fest:
  
. |
