The reggae artist – Don Carlos – from the Waterhouse district of Kingston, Jamaica and the roots dancehall artist Dignitary Stylish, also from Kingston are now available for shows in the wesern U.S. starting late March 2007. They already have shows at The House of Blues in Hollywood, The Couchhouse in San Juan Capistrano, The Independent in San Francisco, and The Indigo in Eureka. Don played The Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, Reggae On The River, Music In The Park and The Monterey Reggaefest in California last summer 2006, and in Europe, the Upsalla festival in Sweden, the Reggae Sundance in Holland, and the Reggae Summerjam in Germany. Sly and Robbie backed him on Reggae on the River prime time, Saturday night. Don has also been touring Europe and South America regularly. In Hawaii he headlined the 2006 Bob Marley Days on all four Hawaiian Islands. Don’s well-oiled band, with a hitting horn section, has been working with him internationally for the last seven years.
Don has out seven albums with Ras records, and at least nineteen releases on other labels. These titles are listed on his biography. Don recorded four albums with Black Uhuru for Mesa Blue Moon label and toured as lead vocalist for Black Uhuru from 1989 – 1994. Don is a special artist. Because of his blessings, people love and flock him.
In his music, Don speaks for all people. He talks about peace and love, generosity and righteousness. He doesn’t leave out thanking Jah for everything. “I love you and Jah loves you more”, he says. “Love Jah, and you will have everything – all wisdom.” Don has a big heart and a kind loving spirit. His live show is a class act. Check him out as a true roots reggae living legend.
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/.
BIOGRAPHY: DIGNITARY STYLISH
Horace Samuels, aka Dignitary Stylish started working in the music business in Kingston Jamaica in the late 70’s. His fist song was called “Pon di Attack” and since then he has done just that. His first hit song was “Di World under Pressure” in 1984 and his song “Jan Sen Mi Come” in ‘86 was number one on the charts in Jamaica, England, Canada and the Caribbean. In ‘87 his song “Don’t Touch Di Crack” was another hit in Jamaica. That same year he performed on The Sting and The Reggae Sunsplash in Jamaica. He has toured Europe with Black Uhuru and also the Caribbean with Shaba and others. He has voiced singles for producers like Black Scorpio, Red man, Tuff Gong, King Tubbies and Exterminator and in ‘94 he did a hit single for Jimmy Cliff called “Jah a di Bigger Boss” which was a big song in Europe. Stylish is close friends with all the top Jamaican artists and has toured with Don Carlos in the US and Brazil. Stylish is a good natured man who loves performing and also owns a fish restaurant in Kingston. “Jah sent Dignitary Stylish come” as a dancehall roots artist – first class.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Peter Wardle
King’s Music International
Phone: (510) 326-8445 or online at [email protected]
http://www.kingsmusicinternational.com