Augustus Pablo: A Musical Genius Behind ‘King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown’
#augustuspablo #vinyl #indiemusic
Renowned dub musicians of the 70s era, Augustus Pablo and King Tubby, collaborated on one of the historic classics in the reggae canon, known as “King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown.” Released in 1976, the album, defined by the artistic synergy of both musical greats and a cast of remarkable musicians, continues to reverberate across the world decades after its creation. These musicians, including the phenomenal Barrett brothers, master lyricist Bobby Ellis, and celebrated instrumentalists Earl Chinna Smith, Dirty Harry, Vin Gordon, and Robbie Shakespeare, lent their top-level talents to the epoch-defining album.
Born on June 21, 1953, Augustus Pablo, born Horace Michael Swaby, was a prowess in the Jamaican roots reggae and dub genre. His musical journey began in Kingston College School, where he learned to play the organ, and was handed his first melodica; an instrument that would later become symbolic to his artistic persona. His career in music began when he linked up with Herman Chin Loy, an established name in the Jamaican music industry, and recorded several well-received tracks. Although the name ‘Augustus Pablo’ was initially used as a generic term, Swaby adopted it as his stage name during his early recording sessions.
Augustus Pablo’s rich musical journey includes recording with the Not-Now-Generation band, working with prolific music producers including Clive Chin, Leonard Chin, and Lee Perry. He also floated his own record labels, Hot Stuff, Message, and Rockers. His 1974 album, “This is Augustus Pablo,” is among his earliest works, which was followed by another collaborative piece with King Tubby, the “Ital Dub.”
In his illustrious career, Pablo produced timeless classics like “Black Star Liner” with Fred Locks, and worked with reggae greats such as Dillinger, I-Roy, Jacob Miller, Bob Marley, Delroy Wilson, and Horace Andy. His collaboration with Jacob Miller on “Baby I Love You So” in 1974 would later form the basis of the iconic “King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown,” after being infamously dubbed by sound engineer King Tubby. Pablo’s craftsmanship further produced a few LPs, including his 1976 album, “King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown,” which remained a masterpiece decades after his death.
The 1976 release, “King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown,” features Carlton Barrett on drums, Robbie Shakespeare, and Aston Barrett on bass guitar accompanied by Earl “Chinna” Smith’s guitar twangs. Horace’s talent also saw him on the melodica, piano, organ, and clavinet during the album’s sessions at the Randy’s studio in Kingston, Jamaica. The album has been released on a variety of labels, showcasing slightly different artworks, and dominating tracklists.
The title track, “King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown,” is a remixed version of Jacob Miller’s “Baby I Love You So,” offering fans further opportunities to appreciate the musical genius of Augustus Pablo. Such a high caliber of work on this album saw it receive rave reviews and even made it to New Musical Express’s list of the greatest albums ever made. Music critics widely hailed it as a significant contribution to the world of reggae music.
Despite the great artist’s untimely demise due to a collapsed lung on May 18, 1999, the legacy he left behind in the form of melodious tunes and a distinctive musical style, lives on. His unique ability to blend melodica, piano, organ, and clavinet gives his music a timeless appeal that continues to influence artists and entertain fans globally. It is without a doubt that Augustus Pablo was a true legend who forever changed the landscape of reggae and dub music.
Learn more about Augustus Pablo