CARLOS JONES 'FULL CIRCLE - A RESTROSPECTIVE'

I had heard a lot of good things about Carlos Jones, this original reggae hero of the eastern half of the United States, so this compilation, entitled ‘Full of Circle’ gave me the opportunity to investigate his works. This eight-.track career spanning collection ranges from Carlos’ militancy with the First Light  band (well-known in the USA) to his solo works, showcasing his style which I would define afro-caribbean music, more than strictly reggae. In fact his music his highly imbued with lot of Caribbean sounds and atmospheres , with reggae as the first inspiration. This particular kind of ‘blended reggae’ results in a very evocative and warm style but not everything on this cd is satisfying. In particular I’m referring to some songs that sound flat and less inventive and which, in a much longer cd, I would have called ‘fillers’. I think that ‘Morning Star’, ‘Answers in your eyes’ and another couple of tracks, don’t represent the full Carlos Jones potential. In fact, in this album we find militant and  well focused songs like ‘Nelson Mandela, ‘Unity of Conscience’ and ‘Peace, Love and Unity’ which instead are diamonds and pearls. This songs showcases the Carlos Jones I’ve heard a lot  about, committed, heartical, seemingly artless with his frail-voiced style, but nevertheless very effective. In these songs is style is somewhat similar to that of people like Ijhaman Levi and Isaac Haile Selassie and makes me feel that this American reggae veteran has still so many good things to say (and to sing).  

RasWalter

Label  LITTLE FISH RECORDS

WWW.CARLOSJONES.COM

Available on

Carlos Jones & the P.L.U.S. Band  Video+ CD