About Me
Alias: E.Q. (Equalizer)
Keyboard / Vocalist / Composer
Son of Jamaican Percussionist & Star Dancer: Alphanso Castro (Carlos Malcolm and the Afro Jamaican Rhythm Band) & 1960's J.B.C. 'Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation' Teenage Dance PartyMichael's initiation in music started with his Grandparents who were performers. His grandmother was a cultural quadrille / maypole folk dancer performing at special events around the Island of Jamaica. His Grandfather was a Piccolo Flute player in a marching band performing all over the island of Jamaica. his Uncles had a popular sound system back in the 60's called Castro International that performed uptown and locally in Kingston. The Castro's are well known and recognized performers in the Island of Jamaica.Michael performed as a boy in church as well as on the boy's choir at Pembroke Hall Junior Secondary School in Kingston Jamaica alongside Cleveland Browne of Stevie & Clevie.
He started performing with bands in the U.S. in 1973 such as Cognito, Monyaka, Soul Jahs, I Generation, Island Connection, 20/20 Band, Earth Force, Broken Sound, Everyday People, Rough House, Coconut Heads, Reasons, Bay Roots, Safari, Rythmation, I-Tek, Island Heat, Sweet Justice and others too numerous to mention.Michael provided Keyboards and back up vocals for numerous artists during live performances in the U.S. and Europe such as Spraga Benz, Lady Ann, Ken Boothe, U-Roy, Frankie Paul, Gem Meyers, Karen Smith, Willow, Phyllis Dillon, Tommy McCook, Tenor Saw, Michal Russel, Contractor, Sugar Minott, Jackie Mitoo, Roland Alpanso, John Holt, Alton Ellis, Coco Tea, Sister Carol, Louie Lepkie, Screw Driver, Dawn Penn and Eek-A-Mouse to name a few.Most of Michael's musical carreer was focused on supporting other musical artisit's and recently he's decided to start producing his own material such as Misunderstanding to be released in early 2009. He's also served the Lord in gratitude for his given talent by volunteering to lead the youth choir at holy Sacarament Episcopal Church in Pembroke Pines Florida under the leadership of Arch Deacon Bryan Hobbs.Michael is a diciplined performer who advocates togetherness and brotherhood amongst his fellow performers. he has donated his talents in graphic design, marketing, music production to various bands and even recorded a live album at the Waterway Cafe on his laptop portable recording system in 2003 while performing with the Rythmation Band. He contributed eight songs as well as graphic design and logo on that album. Michael has been performing at the Waterway Cafe since 1991 and continues to do so with the band Sweet Justice.Recorded with Carlton Coffee, Carl McDonald, Reverend Badoo, Soul Jahs, Errol Edwards to include session work with Karl Peterson, Willie Lindo, Jah Life, The A Team Band featuring Computer Paul, Val Douglas & Anastas Hackett at H.C.F. recording studio under the leadership of Phillip Smart formerly with King Tubby's Jamaica W.I.
