Augustus Pablo is arguably the forefather of melodic dub. King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown was the first album that was described as dub music. Augustus had fans from all over the world; unlike in reggae there was no singing, so fans did not need to understand the vernacular of Jamaican Patois. There was just music and everyone could create their own story; he was huge in Japan.
Biggs from Rockers International London, a close family friend, described him: 'Augustus Pablo was a very quiet man, but he came alive in the studio. He would direct the musicians like a real maestro, that’s why people called him The Maestro. Pablo discovered many young artists from the street. Yami Bolo, Junior Reid, Earl 16, White Mice, to name a few. So many artists recorded with Pablo in his studio in Down Town Kingston. His legacy continues with his son Addis Pablo who still plays melodica. With the music that he made, he’s influenced countless counter genres of dub music globally. There are so many people who play melodica now, just because of Augustus Pablo. Augustus Pablo was only person who played melodica seriously and was respected as a melodica player.'
Image: Augustus Pablo © Pogus Caesar, OOM Gallery Archive. All Rights Reserved
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