Don Carlos processes one of reggaeÕs most distinctive voices, his vocal mannerisms being instantly recognisable over a tune, yet he remains one of Jamaica's best kept secrets. We look back to some of his finest moments that set the tone for his popularity that was to follow in the Dancehall period of Reggae.

Born Don McCarlos, in the notorious Waterhouse district of Kingston,Jamaica.He began his singing career in 1973,where alongside Garth Dennis and Derrick 'Ducky' Simpson he formed what would become one of reggaeÕs foremost contenders, Black Uhuru.Their first recording would be a version of Curtis MayfieldÕs 'Romancing to the Folk Song'.Released under the name Uhuru [ the Swahili word for Freedom ] on the Top Cat label, it saw limited underground success.This would lead to a split in the ranks seeing Dennis leaving to join The Wailing Souls and Don going solo under his now trimmed down monicker of Don Carlos.

After working with various producers and honing his sound, the late 70Õs would see his arrival at the door of producer Bunny ÔStrikerÕ Lee. Work began matching Don's collection of tunes against some of Bunny's finest rhythms.His voice seemed to ride over the chosen classic Channel 1, Harry J's studio cuts as if they were made for each other, and it's this period in Don CarlosÕs career that we concentrate on this release.

Most of Don's classics are represented here.Such great cuts as 'Spread Out' which seeÕs him riding over the 'Queen of the Ghetto' rhythm in fine form.'My Brethren Party' giving new life to Slim Smith's 'Give Me Love'.Never has he sounded better with his 'Ababa John I' cut being matched against the 'Real Rock' rhythm and his 'Booming Ball' reworking Alton Ellis's 'Im Just a Guy' to fine form.All classicÕs and some surprises were found when we went back to the original master tapes.Like Don working a cut to the Melodians 'Rivers of Babylon' and a fine version of Alton Ellis's 'Too LatE' that have been lost until now.
Don Carlos would again return to the Black Uhuru fold and balance his solo career alongside Uhuru's touring commitments.But as a fore taster to his rising star soon to be set in the 1980Õs Dancehall period, we find this set hard to beat. We hope you find some magic as we have unearthing and compiling these lost treasures.

Respect Jah Floyd.

1.SPREAD OUT IN DUB.
A lost dub to Don's 'Spread Out' track that would prove to be
a big hit in the 1980s Dancehall scene.Where he works over the
'Queen of the Ghetto' rhythm in fine form.

2.MY BRETHREN IN DUB.
A dub cut to Don's 'My Brethren Party', which utilises Slim Smith's 'Give My Love' as itÕs backdrop.

3.BOSROCK DUB.
This is a lost cut to his 'Ababa John I' track which he works over the 'Real Rock' rhythm.

4.I'M GONNA MAKE YOU LOVE DUB.
A classic Bunny Lee rhythm that was made famous by Slim Smith. Used to great effect by Don on his 'Praise Jah with Love and Affection' cut, of which this is a lost dub.

5.BIG MOUTH DUB.
A lost dub to his 'Johnnie Big Mouth' track that seeÕs
him working over the famous 'Drifter' rhythm.

6.CONSCIOUS RASTA DUB.
Don works over a rhythm that Johnnie Clarke used for his
track 'Lego Violence'.Don's version was called 'Back Way with Your Mix Up'of which is a cut to.

7.BOOMING DUB.
A cut to a classic rhythm that Alton Ellis had used on his ÔIÕm Just A GuyÕ track. Don reworked it to became 'Booming Ball' ,this is it's dub.

8. INFRA RED DUB.
A lost dub to Don's 'Lazer Beam' a track that would also go on
in the 1980s to become a Dancehall classic...

9.MOVE ME DUB.
Another famous rhythm known as 'King Solomon' used and made
famous especially by Derrick Harriott, became Don's 'Groove with Me'of which this is a cut to.

10.BABY DON'T CARE FOR DUB.
A lost cut to Don's 'My Baby Just Love I Man', where he
works over Slim Smith's 'My Conversation' rhythm.

11.TRIBULATION DUB.
Don comes down on the classic 'Tribulation' rhythm which was also cut by the likes of Dennis Brown and Leroy Smart to name but two.Also known as 'Majority Rule'cut by Jimmy Riley, and now hopefully it will now be remembered for this version.

12.TOO LATE TO DUB.
A rare lost version of Alton EllisÕs 'Too Late To Turn Back Now'cut by Don in the Late 70s.Finally seeÕs the light of day......

13.RIVERS OF DUB.
Don chants over the classic 'Rivers of Babylon'. Cut by many
including The Melodians and later a cross over hit for Boney M.
Here brought back and given a roots biblical feel....Nice.

14.THEREÕS A DUB FARAWAY.
Last but not lest Don rides the classic Abyssinians
'Satta Masa Gana' to fine effect.......