Prophecy
Satan Control Them
Crazy Girl
BIOGRAPHY: DON CARLOS
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, Black Uhuru, The Jays, Junior Reid and
King Jammy, to name but a few. Don Carlos started his singing career in 1973 as one of the original members of Black Uhuru, alongside other founding members, Garth Dennis who later went on to joining the
Wailing Souls, and Derrick Ducky Simpson. As part of the trio, Don sang lead on the highly acclaimed
Love Crisis album, for producer
Prince Jammy in 1977. This album was later re-released and re-titled as
Black Sounds of Freedom. A year after the trio's groundbreaking debut, Don Carlos surprisingly decided to leave Black Uhuru in pursuit of a solo career. Within three years as a solo artist, developing his song writing and grooming his distinctive vocal style, in May 1981
Suffering was released. This strong release took the fraternity by storm, courtesy of a heavy roots and culture flavored showcase for the Negus Roots label. This album was a massive hit in Africa, selling unprecedented units. Unfortunately, the album was bootlegged, and Don never received proper royalties.
At this time, he worked alongside Goldie, his sidekick, co writer, and back up vocalist. Together they built a staunch following through touring the live circuit and releasing consistant albums including
Harvest Time, Day to Day Living, Them Never Know A Natty Dread Have Credentials, all three issued in 1982
, Spread Out 1982 also otherwise known as
Laser Beam to which the majority of tracks in this set have been culled,
Never Run Away 1984,
Just a Passing Glance 1985 and more recently
Seven Days a Week. Don's partner, Gold was tragically shot and crippled, putting him out of the music business.
During the eighties dance hall mania, Don had 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. Don is still churning out solid, melodic roots reggae. Other titles in his rich catalogue include
Roots and Culture, Raving Tonight, Pure Gold, Spread Out, Plantation, Never Run Away, Slow Down Vol. 3, Rasta Brothers, Prophecy, Firehouse Clash, Deeply Concerned, Ease Up, Lazer Beam, Ras Portraits, Grove w/me, Head to Head, Jah Light, Live in San Francisco (2002), and
Special Edition. 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 resulted in another strong Black Uhuru album –
Now. 1990 marked the reunion of the original vocal trio with Don, Garth and Duckie. After six years- 1989-1994- and four albums, singing lead for Black Uhuru in the studio, and on the road, Don again went back to his solo career. His other titles with
Black Uhuru include
Mystical Truths, Iron Storm and
Strong. All of these four albums are classics with Don up front on lead vocals
.
After the Black Uhuru stint, Don joined forces with the California based Reggae Angels for four successful years, and then kept some of the core players for his own permanent backing band. He has been touring successfully with this band in Europe, South America, Hawaii, and the western US. Don's popularity has been consistently growing, so he is now one of the most sought after roots reggae artists in the business. Check him out online at
www.doncarlosreggae.com or at
http://doncarlosinternational.com/.