Augustus Pablo
Encyclopedia
Horace Swaby known as Augustus Pablo, was a Jamaica
n roots reggae
and dub
record producer
, melodica
player and keyboard
ist, active from the 1970s onwards. He popularized the use of the melodica (an instrument at that time primarily used to teach children music in the Jamaican public schools) in reggae
music. He was a committed Rastafarian
.
, Jamaica, and learned to play the organ
at the Kingston College School. It was at that point an unnamed girl lent him the melodica. Fascinated by the instrument, Pablo rarely put it down. He also met Herman Chin Loy
, who after working at his cousin Leslie Kong
's Beverley's record shop, had set up his own Aquarius store in Half Way Tree
. Swaby recorded early tracks including "Higgi Higgi", "East of the River Nile", "Song of the East", and "The Red Sea" between 1971 and 1973 for Chin-Loy's Aquarius Records. Chin Loy had previously used the name Augustus Pablo generically for keyboard instrumentals recorded by Lloyd Charmers
and Glen Adams
, and Swaby took the name for this recording.
"East of the River Nile", a unique blend of East Asian and Jamaican sounds, became a moderate hit. He soon joined Now Generation (Mikey Chung
's band) and played the keyboard with them while his friend Clive Chin
began his own career as a record producer. Pablo and Chin recorded "Java" (1972) together, as soon as Pablo quit Now Generation and Clive was able to get the studio time. This instrumental was a massive hit and launched Pablo's solo career. He recorded with Chin and various others, including Leonard Chin
, his uncle, and Lee Perry. He scored another smash hit with "My Desire" (John Holt
).
Pablo formed the labels
Hot Stuff, Message and Rockers (named after his brother's soundsystem
, Rockers), and released a steady stream of well-received instrumentals, mostly versions of older hits from Studio One. In spite of his success with Rockers, Pablo's 1974 album, This Is Augustus Pablo
was recorded with Clive and Pat Chin. This was followed by a collaboration with the legendary reggae engineer King Tubby
, 1975's Ital Dub
.
In the later 1970s, Pablo produced a steady stream of hits, including the hit "Black Star Liner" (Fred Locks
). He also worked with Dillinger
, Norris Reid, I-Roy
, Jacob Miller
, Te -Track, The Immortals, Paul Blackman
, Earl Sixteen
, Roman Stewart
, Lacksley Castell
, The Heptones
, Bob Marley
, Ricky Grant, Delroy Wilson
, Junior Delgado
, Horace Andy
and Freddy McKay. This period was eventually commemorated with critically acclaimed LPs including King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown
(1976) and Hugh Mundell
's classic Africa Must be Free by 1983. This was followed by East of the River Nile
(1978), Original Rockers
(1979) and Rockers Meets King Tubby in a Firehouse
, another acclaimed hit album.
In the 1980s, Pablo's career slowed significantly. In 1980, he appeared on the soundtrack of the documentary D.O.A
. He had begun to establish an American audience and released Rising Sun in 1986 to good reviews and sales. Pablo also produced memorable hits, including "Ragamuffin Year" (Junior Delgado
), "Humble Yourself" (Asher & Tremble) and "Far Far Away" (Ricky Grant). In addition, he toured extensively throughout the world, making a memorable live album in Tokyo
in 1987. That same year, Rockers Come East re-established his career and he began to release a series of critically acclaimed though somewhat inaccessible albums in the 1990s, including Blowing With the Wind and also producing several, such as "Night & Day" (single) (Dawn Penn
) and "Jah Made Them All" (Yami Bolo
).
Augustus Pablo died as a result of a collapsed lung on 18 May 1999. He had been suffering for some time from the nerve disorder myasthenia gravis
.
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
n roots reggae
Roots reggae
Roots reggae is a subgenre of reggae that deals with the everyday lives and aspirations of the artists concerned, including the spiritual side of Rastafari and with the honoring of God, called Jah by rastafarians. It also is identified with the life of the ghetto sufferer, and the rural poor...
and dub
Dub music
Dub is a genre of music which grew out of reggae music in the 1960s, and is commonly considered a subgenre, though it has developed to extend beyond the scope of reggae...
record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, melodica
Melodica
The melodica, also known as the "blow-organ" or "key-flute", is a free-reed instrument similar to the melodeon and harmonica. It has a musical keyboard on top, and is played by blowing air through a mouthpiece that fits into a hole in the side of the instrument. Pressing a key opens a hole,...
player and keyboard
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
ist, active from the 1970s onwards. He popularized the use of the melodica (an instrument at that time primarily used to teach children music in the Jamaican public schools) in reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
music. He was a committed Rastafarian
Rastafari movement
The Rastafari movement or Rasta is a new religious movement that arose in the 1930s in Jamaica, which at the time was a country with a predominantly Christian culture where 98% of the people were the black descendants of slaves. Its adherents worship Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia , as God...
.
Biography
He was born in St. AndrewSaint Andrew Parish, Jamaica
Saint Andrew is a parish, situated in the southeast of Jamaica in the county of Surrey. It lies north, west and east of Kingston, and stretches into the Blue Mountains and at the 2001 census had the highest population of all the parishes in Jamaica. The Right Excellent George William Gordon Saint...
, Jamaica, and learned to play the organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
at the Kingston College School. It was at that point an unnamed girl lent him the melodica. Fascinated by the instrument, Pablo rarely put it down. He also met Herman Chin Loy
Herman Chin Loy
Herman Chin Loy is a Jamaican record producer, best known for his productions from the late 1960s and early 1970s of artists such as Augustus Pablo, Dennis Brown, Alton Ellis and Bruce Ruffin, and for the Aquarius and Scorpio labels that he ran. He is a Chinese Jamaican.-Biography:When Lloyd A...
, who after working at his cousin Leslie Kong
Leslie Kong
Leslie Kong was a Chinese Jamaican record producer.-Career:Leslie and his two older brothers Cecil and Lloyd ran a restaurant, ice cream parlour and record shop called Beverley's in Orange Street, Kingston...
's Beverley's record shop, had set up his own Aquarius store in Half Way Tree
Half Way Tree
Half Way Tree is a neighbourhood in the city of Kingston, Jamaica. It is the parish capital of St. Andrew.Half Way Tree is served by the Kingston 10 post office....
. Swaby recorded early tracks including "Higgi Higgi", "East of the River Nile", "Song of the East", and "The Red Sea" between 1971 and 1973 for Chin-Loy's Aquarius Records. Chin Loy had previously used the name Augustus Pablo generically for keyboard instrumentals recorded by Lloyd Charmers
Lloyd Charmers
Lloyd Charmers is a ska and reggae singer, keyboard player and record producer.-Career:...
and Glen Adams
Glen Adams
Glen Adams was a Jamaican musician, composer, arranger, engineer, producer, based since the mid-1970s in Brooklyn, New York.-Career:...
, and Swaby took the name for this recording.
"East of the River Nile", a unique blend of East Asian and Jamaican sounds, became a moderate hit. He soon joined Now Generation (Mikey Chung
Mikey Chung
Born Michael Chung in 1954, Mikey "Mao" Chung is a keyboard, guitar and percussion player, arranger and record producer of Jamaican music.-Biography:...
's band) and played the keyboard with them while his friend Clive Chin
Clive Chin
Clive Chin is a Chinese Jamaican record producer whose work includes recordings by The Wailers, Dennis Brown, Lee Perry and Black Uhuru, among others...
began his own career as a record producer. Pablo and Chin recorded "Java" (1972) together, as soon as Pablo quit Now Generation and Clive was able to get the studio time. This instrumental was a massive hit and launched Pablo's solo career. He recorded with Chin and various others, including Leonard Chin
Leonard Chin
Leonard Chin aka Santic, is a Jamaican reggae record producer. After first working as a car mechanic, he then trained as a photographer and worked for the Gleaner company...
, his uncle, and Lee Perry. He scored another smash hit with "My Desire" (John Holt
John Holt (singer)
John Holt is a reggae singer and songwriter.-Biography:Holt was born in Kingston in 1947. By the age of 12, he was a regular entrant in talent contests run at Jamaican theatres by Vere Johns...
).
Pablo formed the labels
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
Hot Stuff, Message and Rockers (named after his brother's soundsystem
Sound system (DJ)
A sound system is a group of DJs and engineers contributing and working together as one, playing and producing music.-Origin:The sound system concept originated in the 1950s in Kingston, Jamaica. DJs would load up a truck with a generator, turntables, and huge speakers to set up street parties...
, Rockers), and released a steady stream of well-received instrumentals, mostly versions of older hits from Studio One. In spite of his success with Rockers, Pablo's 1974 album, This Is Augustus Pablo
This Is Augustus Pablo
This Is...Augustus Pablo is an album by Augustus Pablo originally released in 1974 and co-written and produced by Pablo's childhood friend and critically acclaimed reggae producer Clive Chin. The album boasts an impressive list of session musicians including Ansel Collins on keyboards and Lloyd...
was recorded with Clive and Pat Chin. This was followed by a collaboration with the legendary reggae engineer King Tubby
King Tubby
King Tubby was a Jamaican electronics and sound engineer, known primarily for his influence on the development of dub in the 1960s and 1970s...
, 1975's Ital Dub
Ital Dub
Ital Dub is an album by Augustus Pablo originally released in 1974 and sees Tommy Cowan and Warwick Lyn replacing Clive Chin on production duties. The album also features King Tubby as Engineer, a role he would later reprise a number of times during Pablo's career.NB : Ital Dub is also the name of...
.
In the later 1970s, Pablo produced a steady stream of hits, including the hit "Black Star Liner" (Fred Locks
Fred Locks
Fred Locks is a roots reggae singer best known for his mid-1970s single "Black Star Liners" and the album of the same name.-Biography:...
). He also worked with Dillinger
Dillinger (musician)
Dillinger is a reggae artist.-Biography:As a young man growing up in Kingston, Dillinger would hang around Dennis Alcapone's El Paso sound system...
, Norris Reid, I-Roy
I-Roy
Roy Samuel Reid better known as I-Roy was a Jamaican DJ who had a very prolific career during the 1970s.-Biography:...
, Jacob Miller
Jacob Miller
Jacob Miller was a Jamaican reggae artist who first recorded with Clement Dodd. While pursuing a prolific solo career, he became the lead singer for reggae group Inner Circle with whom he recorded until his death in a car accident at the age of 27.-Biography:Jacob Miller was born in Mandeville,...
, Te -Track, The Immortals, Paul Blackman
Paul Blackman
Paul Blackman is a British theatrical producer and director.-Career:Former Deputy Director of the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain, Blackman in October 1990 became the Artistic Director of The Battersea Arts Centre whose fortunes he revitalised with a string of programming and audience...
, Earl Sixteen
Earl Sixteen
Earl Sixteen is a reggae singer whose career began in the mid-1970s.-Biography:Daley grew up in Waltham Park Road, Kingston, and, influenced by American soul and Jamaican artists such as Dennis Brown, began his singing career by entering local talent shows...
, Roman Stewart
Roman Stewart
Roman Stewart, also known as Romeo Stewart and 'Mr. Special' was a reggae singer. Stewart won the Festival Song Contest in 1975.-Biography:...
, Lacksley Castell
Lacksley Castell
Lacksley Castell was a Jamaican reggae singer best known for his work in the early 1980s.-Biography:...
, The Heptones
The Heptones
The Heptones are a Jamaican rocksteady and reggae vocal trio most active in the 1960s and early 1970s. They were one of the more significant trios of that era, and played a major role in the gradual transition between ska and rocksteady with their three-part harmonies.-History:Leroy Sibbles, Earl...
, Bob Marley
Bob Marley
Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley, OM was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers...
, Ricky Grant, Delroy Wilson
Delroy Wilson
Delroy Wilson was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer.-Biography:Wilson released his first single "Emy Lou" in 1961 for record producer, Clement "Coxsone" Dodd, at the age of thirteen...
, Junior Delgado
Junior Delgado
Oscar Hibbert , better known as Junior Delgado, was a reggae singer, famed for his roots style.-Biography:...
, Horace Andy
Horace Andy
Horace Andy is a roots reggae songwriter and singer, known for his distinctive vocals and hit songs such as "Government Land", "Angel", "Five Man Army" and a cover version of "Ain't No Sunshine"....
and Freddy McKay. This period was eventually commemorated with critically acclaimed LPs including King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown
King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown
King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown is a dub album by Augustus Pablo and King Tubby, released in 1976. It features Carlton Barrett on drums, Robbie Shakespeare and Aston Barrett on bass guitar, and Earl "Chinna" Smith on guitar. Pablo produced the album and played melodica, piano, organ and...
(1976) and Hugh Mundell
Hugh Mundell
Hugh Mundell was a Jamaican reggae singer and songwriter.-Biography:Mundell was introduced to reggae by reggae performer and producer Boris Gardiner who was a friend of the family...
's classic Africa Must be Free by 1983. This was followed by East of the River Nile
East of the River Nile
East of the River Nile is a 1977 reggae album by Jamaican musician Augustus Pablo. A purely instrumental album, East of the River Nile showcases Pablo's skill on the melodica, and various other keyboards...
(1978), Original Rockers
Original Rockers
Original Rockers is a reggae album by Augustus Pablo and is a compilation of singles, all recorded between 1972 and 1975. It was originally released in 1979 on Greensleeves Records....
(1979) and Rockers Meets King Tubby in a Firehouse
Rockers Meets King Tubby in a Firehouse
Rockers Meets King Tubby In a Firehouse, is a dub album by Augustus Pablo and King Tubby, released in 1980. "Rockers" was a commonly used nickname given to Pablo. It features Mickey "Boo" Richards, Leroy Wallace and Albert Malawi on drums, Robbie Shakespeare on bass guitar, and Earl "Chinna"...
, another acclaimed hit album.
In the 1980s, Pablo's career slowed significantly. In 1980, he appeared on the soundtrack of the documentary D.O.A
D.O.A. (1980 film)
D.O.A.: A Rite of Passage is a 1980 rockumentary film directed by Lech Kowalski about the origin of punk rock. The rockumentary takes interview and concert footage of some of punk rock's earliest bands of the late seventies scene...
. He had begun to establish an American audience and released Rising Sun in 1986 to good reviews and sales. Pablo also produced memorable hits, including "Ragamuffin Year" (Junior Delgado
Junior Delgado
Oscar Hibbert , better known as Junior Delgado, was a reggae singer, famed for his roots style.-Biography:...
), "Humble Yourself" (Asher & Tremble) and "Far Far Away" (Ricky Grant). In addition, he toured extensively throughout the world, making a memorable live album in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
in 1987. That same year, Rockers Come East re-established his career and he began to release a series of critically acclaimed though somewhat inaccessible albums in the 1990s, including Blowing With the Wind and also producing several, such as "Night & Day" (single) (Dawn Penn
Dawn Penn
Dawn Penn is a Jamaican reggae singer.-Career:Dawn Penn's earliest recordings were for Prince Buster around 1966. In 1967 she recorded and released the rocksteady single, "You Don't Love Me" produced by Coxsone Dodd at Studio One...
) and "Jah Made Them All" (Yami Bolo
Yami Bolo
Yami Bolo is a Jamaican reggae singer and performer.-Biography:Rolando Ephraim McLean, better known as Yami Bolo, is a Jamaican reggae singer, musician, artist, and performer. He was born on October 1, 1970 and grew up in Kingston 13...
).
Augustus Pablo died as a result of a collapsed lung on 18 May 1999. He had been suffering for some time from the nerve disorder myasthenia gravis
Myasthenia gravis
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune neuromuscular disease leading to fluctuating muscle weakness and fatiguability...
.
Selected discography
- This Is...Augustus PabloThis Is Augustus PabloThis Is...Augustus Pablo is an album by Augustus Pablo originally released in 1974 and co-written and produced by Pablo's childhood friend and critically acclaimed reggae producer Clive Chin. The album boasts an impressive list of session musicians including Ansel Collins on keyboards and Lloyd...
(1974) - Thriller (1974)
- Ital DubItal DubItal Dub is an album by Augustus Pablo originally released in 1974 and sees Tommy Cowan and Warwick Lyn replacing Clive Chin on production duties. The album also features King Tubby as Engineer, a role he would later reprise a number of times during Pablo's career.NB : Ital Dub is also the name of...
(1974) - King Tubby Meets Rockers UptownKing Tubby Meets Rockers UptownKing Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown is a dub album by Augustus Pablo and King Tubby, released in 1976. It features Carlton Barrett on drums, Robbie Shakespeare and Aston Barrett on bass guitar, and Earl "Chinna" Smith on guitar. Pablo produced the album and played melodica, piano, organ and...
(1976) - East of the River NileEast of the River NileEast of the River Nile is a 1977 reggae album by Jamaican musician Augustus Pablo. A purely instrumental album, East of the River Nile showcases Pablo's skill on the melodica, and various other keyboards...
(1977) - Original RockersOriginal RockersOriginal Rockers is a reggae album by Augustus Pablo and is a compilation of singles, all recorded between 1972 and 1975. It was originally released in 1979 on Greensleeves Records....
(1979) - Africa Must Be Free by... 1983 Dub (1979)
- Rockers Meets King Tubby in a FirehouseRockers Meets King Tubby in a FirehouseRockers Meets King Tubby In a Firehouse, is a dub album by Augustus Pablo and King Tubby, released in 1980. "Rockers" was a commonly used nickname given to Pablo. It features Mickey "Boo" Richards, Leroy Wallace and Albert Malawi on drums, Robbie Shakespeare on bass guitar, and Earl "Chinna"...
(1980) - Authentic Golden Melodies (1980)
- Earth's Rightful RulerEarth's Rightful RulerEarth Rightful Ruler is a reggae album by Augustus Pablo, originally released in 1982 on Message Records....
(1982) - King David's MelodyKing David's MelodyKing David's Melody is a reggae album by Augustus Pablo, originally released in 1983 on his Rockers record label.It is a collection of singles recorded between 1975 and 1982 for both the Rockers and Message record labels....
(1983) - Rising SunRising Sun (Augustus Pablo album)Rising Sun is a reggae album by Augustus Pablo, originally released in 1986 on Greensleeves.It features Sly Dunbar on drums, Earl "Chinna" Smith on guitar and Dean Frazer on saxophone...
(1986) - Rebel Rock Reggae (1986)
- Rockers Come East (1987)
- Eastman Dub (1988)
- Presents Rockers Story (1989)
- Blowing with the Wind (1990)
- Presents Rockers International Showcase (1991)
- Meets King Tubby at the Control in Roots Vibes (1996)
- Red SeaRed Sea (Augustus Pablo album)Red Sea is an album by Augustus Pablo released in 1998, containing material recorded between 1970 and 1973 and was produced by Herman Chin Loy. The music on the album is among the earliest instances of Pablo's revolutionary use of the melodica as a viable musical instrument...
(1998) - Valley of Jehosaphat (1999)
- El Rocker's (2000)
- The Great Pablo (2000)
- Dubbing with the Don (2001)
- Jah Inspiration (2001)
- Skanking with Pablo: Melodica for Hire 1971–77 (2002)
- In Fine Style: 7" & 12" Selection 1973–79 (2003)
- The Essential Augustus Pablo (2005)
- Augustus Pablo Meets Lee Perry & the Wailers Band (Rare Dubs 1970–1971) (2006)
- The Mystic World of Augustus Pablo: The Rockers Story (2008)