[SuchFriendsAreDangerous]

DON CARLOS
"Deeply Concerned"

 

Deeply Concerned (RAS, 1987)
This 1987 album is live- band roots reggae, but with clear early dancehall influences. Themes discussed in the lyrics (the title track dealing with South Africa under Apartheid) are often serious, or are on sadness, disunity, or injustice. Yet, the vibe throughout is relaxed and mellow. Don Carlos's beautiful, heartfelt vocals give most songs an extra, melancholic quality. Furthermore, he shows how he is equally effective in singing as in "toasting" or toasting/singing (on a few songs), which gives this set of songs a varied character. The style is somewhat understated, yet atmospheric and engaging, with only some songs, like "Cool Johnny Cool" (on a migrant to the US gone bad), having a more spectacular sound. Overall this album has a nice, not unimportant "feel good" effect. Not all songs are unique classics, but none of the songs are bad or boring either. The early dancehall "Ruff We Ruff" has a somewhat generic version but remains entertaining enough. The (on this release) added 5 bonus tracks, from/also on other albums, are good choices, and fit the overall sound. Besides the classic "Just a Passing Glance", the emotional "Harvest Time" stands out, while of the earlier songs "Satan Control Them", the title track, and "Cool Johnny Cool" stand somewhat out.
- Michel Conci


Track Listing
1. Deeply Concerned
2. Cool Johnny Cool
3. Ruff We Ruff w/Version
4. Jah People Unite
5. Black Station White Station
6. Satan Control Them
7. Money Lover
8. Night Rider (In Danger)
9. Crazy Girl
10. Just a Passing Glance
11. Jah Jah Hear My Plea w/Version
12. Harvest Time
13. Prophecy w/Version
14. Front Line

Passing Glance
Harvest Time
Jah People Unite
Lazer Beam
Cool Johny Cool
Jah Jah Please Here My Plea

[SuchFriendsAreDangerous]

Don Carlos has the absolute smoothest voice and stylee in reggae music, hands down, I promise you, I have seen and met them all, and I wouldn't dare challenge the titles of other ranking brothers if Don Carlos wasn't truly the Don!

Bless up Don Carlos, you'll love it all I swear, I love this brother's music so much, when we see him at the dancehall, we dance with the ladies while the DJ is spinning, but literally push them out of our way and run to the stage when Don comes out. I gave this brother the cross off my neck to him on stage mid-set, and equality, he put it right on in the middle of the tune!

trust me, its a good album and an even better artist, check it out fe sho!

[SuchFriendsAreDangerous]

y'all missing out, up your game. check my must-haves before, nothing but the solid gold hits from the reggae underground! You won't hear this kinda music on yr local radio station, even yr college radio or your music blogs, strictly 100% underground original roots rasta..

shit I've played shows with Don Carlos' drummer Wadi Gad , a brother is actually as talented a performer and song-writer as Don Carlos is, Wadi warms up the band with a first set at shows, I've had the privilege of taking on lead guitar.

Thanks you crazy hippie fuck. I've never heard of it.

[SuchFriendsAreDangerous]

Originally Posted by sarramkrop

Thanks you crazy hippie fuck. I've never heard of it.

most people haven't..

other reggae gems which are unheard of include The Itals, The Meditations, The Twinkle Brothers, The Rastafarians, Dillinger, Winston Jarrett, Midnite, Ras Michael and the Sons of Negus, surprisingly even Israel Vibrations!

and I-man is Rastafari, not a hippie.. if i didn't own like 75-100 recordings of Grateful Dead shows I would take offense to that

[SuchFriendsAreDangerous]

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/.

[SuchFriendsAreDangerous]

Bump (for one last chance)

 

[wellcharge]

don is cool, but i don't know shit about this album