There are at least two artists using the name Don Carlos:

1) Italian… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least two artists using the name Don Carlos:

1) Italian deep house producer and DJ Carlo Troja
2) Jamaican reggae singer and composer

1) Carlo Troja aka Don Carlos hails from Varese, in the North of Italy, and is active as a DJ from the late 70's.

He debuted as a producer towards the end of the 80's with the single 'Alone' on Calypso Records (Irma), which became one of the cult tracks of the international Deep House scene. His productions have always mixed House rhythms with afro-american jazz sounds, verging sometime towards disco, sometime towards progressive house or electronic soul.

In 1992 IRMA USA released his first album 'Mediterraneo', followed in 1993 by the Montego Bay project, produced together with Stefano Tirone (S-Tone Inc.), also on IRMA. He then released some singles on the Chicago based label Guidance under the Aquanauts moniker. He also reached the UK charts with the hit 'You Make Me Feel', sung by Byron Stingley, cover of the cult song by Sylvester.

In 2000 he released a single on Erik Morillo's Subliminal Soul label and played highly acclaimed gigs at Ministry of Sound and Turnmills in London. In 2002 he released his third album 'Music in My Mind' featuring top guest vocalists like Kim Mazelle, Michelle Weeks, Taka Boom and Kevin Bryant.

Following two mixed compilations ('Cafe De Paris Saint Tropez' and 'DJ Set') in 2004 IRMA released a collection of his 90's productions titled 'Mediterraneo', like his debut US album.

After that a serious car accident kept him away from clubs and recording studio for several months. Finally back in shape he released his fourth album 'The Cool Deep', 8 years since the previous one, which includes all the unreleased material produced during this time.

2) Don Carlos (born Euvin Spencer) was born and raised in one of the most deprived regions of Western Kingston, Jamaica, in a district known as Waterhouse. It was also a musical spawning ground for many of Reggae's greatest talents, such as King Tubby, The Jays, Junior Reid and King Jammy. Don Carlos started his singing career in 1973, as one of the original members of the roots vocal group Black Uhuru.

Alongside other founding members, Don played a prominent role in the recordings of the highly acclaimed Love Crisis album for producer Prince Jammy in 1977. The album was later re-released and re-titled as Black Sounds of Freedom. A year after the trio's ground breaking debut, Don Carlos surprisingly decided to part company in pursuit of a solo career. Having needed at least three years to get the grips of being a soloist, plus developing a knack for song writing and grooming that distinctive, vocal styling it wasn't until May 1981 that Carlos really took the fraternity by storm, courtesy of a heavy, roots and culture flavored show case album Suffering for Negus Roots.

Since then, working alongside Goldie, his side kick, co-writer and back-up vocalist, having built and consolidated a staunch following through touring the live circuit--plus 12 solo albums--there has been no turning back.

Artist website: http://www.doncarlosreggae.com/

Passing Glance
Don Carlos Lyrics

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Passing glance
Jah, Rastafari!
Liveth and reigneth in the hearts of I and I
Jah, Almighty I!
Just a passing glance was all I had, of Rastafari face
Just a passing glance was all I had, oh yes
Just a passing touch of freedom I felt, moveth in my soul
And it gives me the feeling, that I'm gonna be free, oh yes

The people did rejoice to hear of the Father's Word's
A day with Him in their sight, was like a thousand years
It was a passing glance was all I had, of Rastafari face
It was a passing glance was all I had, oh yes
Just a passing touch of freedom I felt, moveth in my soul
And it gives me the feeling, that I'm gonna be free, oh yes, oh yeah.
Just a passing glance was all I had, of Rastafari face
Just a passing glance was all I had, oh yes
Just a passing touch of freedom I felt, moveth in my soul
And it gives me the feeling, that I'm gonna be free, oh yes
The people did rejoice to hear of the Father's Word's
A day with Him in their sight, was like a thousand years
It was a passing glance, that's all I had, of Rastafari face
It was a passing glance, that's all I had, oh yes
Just a passing touch of freedom I felt, moveth in my soul

And it gives me the feeling, that I'm gonna be free, oh yes
So free, so free! So free, free

Overall Meaning

The song "Passing Glance" by Don Carlos is a tribute to the Rastafarian faith and its founder, Haile Selassie. The song begins with a refrain of "Jah, Rastafari!" which acknowledges that the faith and its God, Jah, are alive and flourishing in the hearts of Don Carlos and other Rastafari believers. Don Carlos goes on to describe his experience of encountering the Rastafari faith, describing it as just a "passing glance" of the face of Haile Selassie. This brief encounter was enough to give Don Carlos a sense of the freedom and liberation that Rastafarianism offers, and he sings about how the feeling of this encounter will stay with him and lead him to be free.

The lyrics also reference the impact that Haile Selassie's teachings have had on others, with the people rejoicing at the opportunity to hear his words and be in his presence. The repetition of the refrain and the upbeat rhythm of the song reinforce the feeling of spiritual fulfillment and freedom that Rastafarianism offers to its followers.

Overall, "Passing Glance" is a stirring testament to the power of faith to liberate the spirit and provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Line by Line Meaning

Passing glance
Brief eye contact

Jah, Rastafari!
Praising God, the Rastafarian way

Liveth and reigneth in the hearts of I and I
God lives and rules within us

Jah, Almighty I!
God is all-powerful

Just a passing glance was all I had, of Rastafari face
Only saw the face of a Rastafarian briefly

Just a passing touch of freedom I felt, moveth in my soul
Sensed a small amount of liberation in my spirit

And it gives me the feeling, that I'm gonna be free, oh yes
Hopes of achieving complete freedom

The people did rejoice to hear of the Father's Word's
The crowd was glad to hear the message of God

A day with Him in their sight, was like a thousand years
Being in God's presence feels like an eternity

It was a passing glance was all I had, of Rastafari face
Again, only saw the Rastafarian's face for a moment