Carlito - Fiesta En La Playa

Carlito, a name synonymous with the soulful heart of liquid drum and bass, is set to release his highly anticipated debut full-length album on Liquid V. Known for his timeless contributions to the genre, Carlito has spent decades shaping the sound of liquid and atmospheric drum and bass, both as a solo artist and through collaborations like Carlito & Addiction. With a string of notable singles already out on Liquid V - including "Fiesta En La Playa," "Wide World," "Savanna Rain," and "Take Me Down" - his upcoming album promises to be a culmination of years of craft and innovation in the scene.

"For me, producing my Carlito album has been a long time coming - something I've given much thought over the past years and wanted to do from way back in the mid to late ‘90s, but never quite got round to, for one reason or another."

After completing a project with DJ Addiction, Carlito passed a batch of solo tracks to Bryan Gee with the idea of releasing a few 12"s. "Around this time I spoke with Bryan about my interest in producing a Carlito album… at which point Bryan said he was really into the idea. This for me is a huge honour."

Carlito's journey into the depths of liquid drum and bass is legendary. Having cut his teeth in the ‘Golden Era' of the genre alongside DJ Addiction, Carlito's work with Essence of Aura and Guardians of Dalliance helped lay the foundation for the soul-driven style we know today. Their iconic releases on labels such as Moving Shadow, Creative Source, and Defunked remain essential touchstones in the genre's history. Tracks from Carlito's early career continue to be celebrated by veteran listeners while still finding resonance with the new wave of drum and bass enthusiasts.

"This is a huge achievement for me and a long-time goal - getting to release my album on one of the best, historically rich and most iconic labels in the whole of the D&B scene."

"Not only have I been listening to Frost and Bryan pretty much from the beginning, I have massive respect for them both as DJs and for what the V label stands for."

This debut album captures the essence of Carlito's musical identity - blending smooth, jazzy liquid vibes with intricate rhythms and lush melodies. But it's also a reflection of an artist pushing forward.

"I feel like I've really improved my production, writing, and programming - updating my sound and feel to fit into a present-day DJ set without losing the essence of a Carlito track."

"It's been a massive learning curve - getting to grips with modern tech, sound design, and the sheer volume levels required for club play now. Back in the day, pushing volume like that was a big no-no!"

With contributions from the likes of DJ Marky, Bryan Gee, and LTJ Bukem, Carlito's influence continues to be felt across the global scene - a fact that truly hit home for him when he returned to the community after a period away.

"I remember going to Sun & Bass in Sardinia and being blown away by how many people from around the world were telling me how my music had inspired them to get into D&B. It made me realise how global the scene had become, and how much this music brings people together."

"I still get the same buzz I did back in the early days - turning on the kit, not knowing where a session might go, but knowing something special could happen."

"I've always loved the musical side of things - a more liquid sound - even back to my Essence Of Aura and Guardians days."

Carlito's legacy extends beyond clubs and pirate radio, with his music featured across TV and national broadcasts.

"When I think about the projects I've been involved in - like having music used under Professor Stephen Hawking on BBC One, or in EastEnders, or as bedding music on Radio 1 at a time when national radio wasn't playing much D&B - I'm really proud to have contributed to this amazing scene."

With "Fiesta En La Playa," Carlito is set to remind us of the power of soulful, feel-good drum and bass. His unique style, steeped in the history of underground music, bridges the past with the future of the genre, offering a tracklist that stays true to his roots while embracing fresh ideas and new directions.

"I think I've managed to keep my own style throughout - being honest with myself and not compromising. This is me."

'Fiesta En La Playa' is out May 9th on Liquid V - Pre-order the album here - 2x12" Vinyl & Digital.

1. Heart in Her Hands - Carlito    
2. Don't You Know - Carlito    
3. Sing It Now [Swerve Mix] - Carlito    
4. Hold Me Tight - Carlito    
5. Fiesta En La Playa [VIP] - Carlito    
6. Ow Yeah - Carlito    
7. On My Mind - Carlito, T.R.A.C.    
8. Learn to Fly - Carlito    
9. Temptation - Carlito    
10. Savanna Rain - Carlito    
11. Scream - Carlito, T.R.A.C.    
12. Passenger - Carlito    
13. Wide World - Carlito    
14. Cobalt - Carlito    
15. Ah Who - Carlito    
16. Got It - Carlito