DON CARLOS レコード& CD

Review: Don Carlos will always be best known as the legendary Italian producer behind the enduring Balearic and Italo/dream house classic 'Alone' which was, rather impressively, his first ever release. Here we get to hear some of his favourite tunes on another vital volume of this series from his longtime home label Irma Records. All the tracks on this essential double pack have been re-edited by Don Carlos himself, especially for this occasion with highlights from the likes of Deep Aural Penetration, Love Nation and Outdance.

Review: Active as a DJ from the late 70s, it wasn't until the end of the 80s that Carlo Trojo AKA Don Carlos unveiled his studio talents with his single, 'Alone', which quickly grew to cult status within the international deep house scene. He soon became known for a sound that delicately combined house rhythms with Afro-American jazz influences, flecks of disco, hints at progressive house and occasional flashes of electronic soul. Originally released in 1992 by Calypso (Irma), 'Mediterraneo' is a wonderful example of the signature Don Carlos sound - deep, jazzy house at its best.

Review: Considered "the absolute Don of Italo piano house", Don Carlos is up next on esteemed NYC label Razor N Tape with an EP of rare vintage house from the archives - 30 years old in fact. For the uninitiated, Don (Carlo Troya) and S-Tone (Stefano Tirone) released two records on Italian imprint Calypso in the early '90s under the alias Montego Bay. Features the emotive, late-night garage of 'Music All Night' (Deep In Milano mix) followed by the low-slung dancefloor heater 'Keep Dancing The Boogie' on the A-side. The flip offers the life-affirming vocal cuts 'Waited So Long' and 'Gotta Keep Dancing' respectively which perfectly capture the zeitgeist of house music's golden era in the early '90s.

Review: After the runaway success of the Ciao Italia (Generazione Underground) compilation on Rebirth for RSD 2021, we're getting treated to a series of bonus follow-ups taking us further into the realm of classic Italian deep house. Part Due kicks off in style with 'Toxicology Room' by Green Baize, which leans in on the organ chops and sets the appropriate mellow mood to sink into. Unsiputed legend Don Carlos follows up with 'I Believe In Heaven', a truly ascendant slice of house magic, while on the B side Stage 28 and Brother's Brigade bring yet more timeless treasures that sport that unmistakable Roman flair.