Augustus Pablo
Jah Light!
Articles
ROCKERS ALLSTARS EXPLOSION
A visit to Rockers International Records at 135 Orange Street in Kingston JA is more than a visit to a recordshop.
Rockers International is also home of Augustus Pablo's record labels and publishing company.
It is a friendly meeting place for artists, a medium for the exchange of vibrant ideas and a workshop where,
at any time, a number of young singers featured on this disc are found helping out with all aspects of the record business.
Rockers International is atrue musical collective. This spirit of cooperation, sharing and individual creativity is the essence of Rockers All-star Explosion.
One of the most positive and notable trademarks of the Jamaican Reggae scene is the willingness of succesful artists and producers to sheperd young talent
into the music industry. Many names of the "father figures" of Reggae come to mind:
Coxsone Dodd, Lee Perry & Duke Reid in earlier days and currently, Bunny Wailer and his Solomonic label, Chinna Smith and high Times, and, of course, Augustus Pablo and Rockers international.
Obviously, Rockers International would not exist without Augustus Pablo, but the feeling is that he is but one member of the group.
The music released on Rockers International reflects the deep commitment of a man and his musical family whose interest lie in unabashedly professing unity, peace and understanding.
Augustus Pablo, although only his early 30's has been one of the outstanding figures of Reggae for the past two decades.
He plays all the keyboards but his instrument of choice is the melodica, a plastic, breath-powered keyboard that produces an eerie and lyrical sound.
His contributions range from playing on some of the earliest Bob Marley tracks (produced by Lee Perry), to being a member of The Soul Syndicate and The Inner Circle,
to being the featured artist on countless singles, produced both by himself and by others. Pablo has created several labels, beginning with Hot Stuff and then later the Message, Yard and Rockers labels,
for his own music and to bring young singers such as Jacob Miller, Hugh Mundell, Ricky Grant and Tetrack to the public.
Anyone who has heard the "Far Eastern" sound of his melodica or his bottom-heavy roots productions knows, that the man can elevate almost any composition or performance to triumphant heights.
All the artists represented in his collection bear Pablo's unmistakable stamp.
Admittedley, he tries to encourage cultural music but still listens to those who wish to deal with lighter subjects in their songs.
As a serious servant of Jah Rastafari, Pablo is intent that his music be used to give praises to the Most High and has chosen these selections from his vast catalog to reflect this sanctity of spirit.
Selah, Lance Linares.
KUSP-FM
Santa Cruz, Calafornia 12/1984
Back To Menu