Read about the history and the mission of Carlos Jones and the P.L.U.S. Band
In 1995, Carlos Jones, frontman for the popular group, First Light, and former member of I-TAL (one of Cleveland’s first reggae bands), felt a call to return to the roots reggae music that caught fire in his soul over twenty years ago. As a result, he formed The Peace, Love, Unity Syndicate (P.L.U.S.) Band to answer that call.
Now, 20+ years later, Carlos is still bringing authentic roots reggae to the Cleveland scene with the help of Peter Platten on keyboards and vocals, Cholly-O on bass, Will Douglas on drums, Ghani Harris and Max Eger on guitar, Roy Isaacs and Curt Johnson on percussion, and George Gordon on tambourine.
P.L.U.S delivers soulful roots reggae with lyrics that relate a message of spirituality, peace, and harmony within both the human race and the world in which we live. The band knows how to stir up a party as well, offering the occasional light-hearted soca and calypso numbers that get the crowd on their feet and rocking. They create a festival like atmosphere anywhere they play, drawing crowds of all ages and races. The infectious rhythms woven by the group’s various percussion instruments create an irresistible and uplifting vibration. Their repertoire includes many original songs, plus a generous helping of Bob Marley, Culture, and other familiar covers saturated by the deep tones of the traditional Rastafarian Nyabinghi drum chant.
In the time the band has been together, they have opened for many international acts, such as: The Wailers, Burning Spear, The Skatalites, Black Uhuru, Culture, The English Beat, Julian Marley, Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, Michael Rose, Michael Franti & Spearhead, and Big Mountain.
The P.L.U.S. Band has been :
- voted “Best In Cleveland” in both the Free Times and The Scene Magazine for the Reggae/Ska/World category in 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2006
- voted “Best Live Act” in two categories in the Cleveland Scene Music Awards in 2004
- nominated “Best In Cleveland” in both the Free Times and The Scene Magazine for the Reggae/Ska/World category every year
- nominated “Best Reggae/World Act” in Cleveland Scene Music Awards in 2004
The group has earned a reputation as a solid, unique, and entertaining act—picking up new fans everywhere they play, and retaining many of the former fans of First Light. The Peace, Love, Unity Syndicate continues to spread the positive vibrations by playing benefits, festivals, private parties, concerts, and clubs throughout the Midwest region.
