Don Carlos (born Euvin Spencer) Legendary Reggae Artist – Born and raised in one of the most deprived regions of Western Kingston, Jamaica, in a district notoriously known as Waterhouse, which incidentally is also a musical spawning ground for many of Reggae’s greatest ever talents, such as King Tubby, original member of Black Uhuru.

Don Carlos singing career started back in 1973, as one of the original members of the aforementioned roots vocal group Black Uhuru. Alongside other founding members, Garth Dennis who later went on to joining the Wailing Souls and Derrick Ducky Simpson Uhuru’s central figure, as part of the trio, Don played a prominent role in the recordings of the highly acclaimed Love Crisis album, for producer Prince Jammy in 1977. The said album was later re-released and re-titled as Black Sounds of Freedom. A year after the trio’s ground breaking debut, Don Carlos surprisingly decided to part company in pursuit of a solo career. Since 12 solo albums, most notably Harvest Time, Day to Day Living, Them Never Know a Natty Dread have credentials all three issued in 1982…..

Although he reached the peak of his solo career during the heydays of the eighties dance hall mania thus celebrating his impact with five top ten hits between 1982 – 1985, Late Night Blues Nice Time Tonight, Dice Cup, Hog & Goat, I’m Not Getting Crazy and Spread Out The latter of which is included here, he is still churning out solid, melodic roots reggae. There’s an old saying in the music industry that claims: What goes around, comes back around. In Dons’ case a request for reinstatement to his former role as lead vocalist for a rejuvenated Black Uhuru reunion eight years ago resulted in a sadly underrated Now album. Amazingly he has been able to maintain dual roles of solo and group member efforts without inflicting a conflict of interest. It is an extremely rare feat if an artist’s repertorire is built without a few mistakes along the way and up until the reunion of original Uhuru in 1990, Carlos’ reputation suffered slightly from over exposure. During this exhaustive and hectic period, one of Jamaica’s leading producers’ of the 70’s and 80’s Bunny Striker Lee was able to coax some of the singer’s finest moments, which are here by recompiled for this nifty set. By cleverly employing the rugged rhythm section of top sessions musicians like Sly & Robbie, the Roots Radics Band plus Santa and Ranchie, This selection shows just how close producer and artist in perfect harmony got to developing the true potential which Carlos has always shown.

DON CARLOS in exceptionnal show in Paris (Divan du Monde) on January 30th 2013!!
Buy your tickets here!

www.doncarlosreggae.com