For over 40 years Don Carlos and Eek-A-Mouse have been among the busiest touring reggae acts. One is a hard-core roots singer; the other, a unique artiste some regard as the first singjay.

Their days of lengthy tours are behind them, but the veterans are still putting in the work, performing in markets where they are traditionally strong.

A founding member of Black Uhuru, Don Carlos has two shows lined up for the United States West Coast in September. That area has been his “breadbasket”‘ for over 20 years, whether solo or with Black Uhuru and California punk-reggae bands like Slightly Stoopid.

His first show is on September 2 at Rialto Theatre in Tucson, Arizona. On the 30th, Don Carlos performs at the Belly Up Tavern, one of his favourite stomping grounds, in Solano Beach, California.

Eek-A-Mouse was one of the top reggae road acts during the 1990s. He was a popular attraction in the US as well as Europe, where fans love his unconventional stage act and songs like Wa-Do-Dem and Ganja Smuggling.

The lanky ‘Mouse’ also has a few spot dates on the cards, starting September 17 with a show at Junction 1 in Cambridge, England. His next stop is Melkweg on the 28th in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

On October 22 Eek-A-Mouse is scheduled to perform at Theatre National Wallonie Bruxelles in Brussels, Belgium.

— Howard Campbell