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Carlos de Nicaragua y Familia
Carlos de Nicaragua is the musical pioneer of a sound that could be called salsa reggae rock, but you can call it what you like. It’s an energetic, positive sound that fuses salsa, reggae, rock, jazz, funk, rap, and more, and mixes it all with a message and a higher purpose that speaks to the world’s need to understand each other. Born on the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua in Bluefields, Carlos Wiltshire naturally received the influences of salsa and reggae music. As he grew up, Carlos developed a passion for poetry, photography, cinema and philosophy; and composing music became an expression of his roots and a means of expressing himself to the rest of the world: “Music,” as Carlos says, “will make dance the dictator, the rich, the poor, the pope included. It is the language we need to understand each other.” Carlos settled in France and became Carlos de Nicaragua, in honor of his country of birth and its legendary pre-Columbian founder, Indian chief Nicaracao Cai, himself a philosopher and a warrior. Carlos too had been a warrior, having fought in the Nicaraguan revolution against the dictator of his day. And all of Carlos’s work reflects a personality and an inspiration inseparable from the struggle he has had to lead for justice, peace, love and solidarity in mankind, revealing the “One Love” cry of his Rasta faith. In France, Carlos was one of the early innovators of the Sound System concept in Paris, with his own Kupia Kumi Sound System (One Love Sound System). Another sound system, called Jah Wisdom, produced Carlos’ album Mayombe, of which the single of the same name is included in the Jah Wisdom-Vocals & Dub compilation. Carlos, Tonton David and Pablo Master produced those earlier works. Carlos also participated in the last album of Mano Negra (Casa Babylon), co-authoring the song “El Alakran.” Working with Manu Chao, Carlos joined Mano Negra in a Spanish tour that conquered fans from all around France and Spain with his shout, “Escuche Familia!” which crowns his intense, on-stage eruptions. Carlos’ Salsa Reggae Original Style was born to conquer a public eager for hot cadences and positive vibrations. The 10-member band he created, Carlos de Nicaragua y Familia, has helped him spread his word around the world. Comprising 3 chorists, 3 trombones, a sax, a flute, and a salsa and reggae drummer, and a bass player capable of playing salsa, reggae, jazz, rock, congas, and timbales, the band toured together for 10 years in international festivals and clubs. An album, Escuche Familia, also saw birth with the band. Among the songs on the album, “Sensemaya” would also be included in Latin Groove (produced by Putumayo) and Latina Café 2 (produced by Wagram). The song “Carlanga” was included in the Resto Pollo Rico compilation, and “Oye Mujer “in the Muevete Bien compilation, both produced by Sabor Discos. Carlos’ most recent album, Militante, is a remarkable fusion of salsa, reggae, and rock. Says Carlos of the album, “It expresses the pain and problems of the world, but in the most joyous form possible.” Eager to be part of festivals and concerts in Ireland and Britain this summer, Carlos says "it's not where you're from, it's where you're going...the message is in the music, you feel the reggae vibe as it grabs you from the roots of your feet and you hold on till the salsa swings yu body and then yu let yourself go and have a good time, yes I...Rastafari." To Carlos, he is simply giving music the meaning it is supposed to have: breaking down barriers between cultures, religions and politics. The mix, the fusion of different sounds from different nations and different cultures, that is the essence of the music and spirit of Carlos de Nicaragua, embracing all people, in recognition of the saying, “There are no blacks, no whites, only mulattoes.”