Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
Who could imagine that a child's toy instrument would launch not just a star, but a whole new musical style? Yet that is precisely what happened to Augustus Pablo and his melodica. The musician set Jamaica alight with "East of the River Nile," the prototype for the new Far Eastern style, and cemented his reputation with the hot hit "Java." Initially, Pablo had recorded with producer Herman Chin-Loy, but eventually began working with two other members of the family, Clive Chin and his uncle Leonard. (The keyboardist also recorded with producers outside the Chin clan). By 1974, a debut album, This Is Augustus Pablo, was in the works, rounding up a dozen tracks cut with the Chins. An amazing roster of talent accompanied Pablo on these recordings, including the Barrett brothers, Earl "Chinna" Smith, Errol Thompson, and keyboardists Ansel Collins and Glen Adams. Together the men created a simmering rootsy sound, percolating with reggae beats. In keeping with the Far East sound, many of these instrumentals are in a minor key, conjuring up a wondrous atmosphere which ranges from yearning to pensive. Although the album doesn't include "Nile" or "Java," more recent singles were featured, including "Pablo in Dub," which debuted Leonard Chin's new Santic label, and "Lover's Mood." Many of the melodies are variations on classic songs, or, in the case of "Jah Rock" (a version of "Ol' Man River), Hollywood greats. The music swings across the spectrum from the classically tinged "Please Survive" to the almost poppy "Pretty Baby," encompassing the deep dub of "Point Blank" and "Pablo in Dub" to the jaunty "Too Late." All told, it's a masterful set of mood music, all featuring that winsome little melodica.
© Jo-Ann Greene /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From $10.83/month
Augustus Pablo, MainArtist
2011 VP Music Group Inc., under license from Randys Music Group, Inc. 2011 VP Music Group Inc., under license from Randys Music Group, Inc.
Augustus Pablo, MainArtist
2011 VP Music Group Inc., under license from Randys Music Group, Inc. 2011 VP Music Group Inc., under license from Randys Music Group, Inc.
Augustus Pablo, MainArtist
2011 VP Music Group Inc., under license from Randys Music Group, Inc. 2011 VP Music Group Inc., under license from Randys Music Group, Inc.
Augustus Pablo, MainArtist
2011 VP Music Group Inc., under license from Randys Music Group, Inc. 2011 VP Music Group Inc., under license from Randys Music Group, Inc.
Augustus Pablo, MainArtist
2011 VP Music Group Inc., under license from Randys Music Group, Inc. 2011 VP Music Group Inc., under license from Randys Music Group, Inc.
Augustus Pablo, MainArtist
2011 VP Music Group Inc., under license from Randys Music Group, Inc. 2011 VP Music Group Inc., under license from Randys Music Group, Inc.
Augustus Pablo, MainArtist
2011 VP Music Group Inc., under license from Randys Music Group, Inc. 2011 VP Music Group Inc., under license from Randys Music Group, Inc.
Augustus Pablo, MainArtist
2011 VP Music Group Inc., under license from Randys Music Group, Inc. 2011 VP Music Group Inc., under license from Randys Music Group, Inc.
Augustus Pablo, MainArtist
2011 VP Music Group Inc., under license from Randys Music Group, Inc. 2011 VP Music Group Inc., under license from Randys Music Group, Inc.
Augustus Pablo, MainArtist
2011 VP Music Group Inc., under license from Randys Music Group, Inc. 2011 VP Music Group Inc., under license from Randys Music Group, Inc.
Augustus Pablo, MainArtist
2011 VP Music Group Inc., under license from Randys Music Group, Inc. 2011 VP Music Group Inc., under license from Randys Music Group, Inc.
Augustus Pablo, MainArtist
2011 VP Music Group Inc., under license from Randys Music Group, Inc. 2011 VP Music Group Inc., under license from Randys Music Group, Inc.
Augustus Pablo, MainArtist
2011 VP Music Group Inc., under license from Randys Music Group, Inc. 2011 VP Music Group Inc., under license from Randys Music Group, Inc.
Augustus Pablo, MainArtist
2011 VP Music Group Inc., under license from Randys Music Group, Inc. 2011 VP Music Group Inc., under license from Randys Music Group, Inc.
Augustus Pablo, MainArtist
2011 VP Music Group Inc., under license from Randys Music Group, Inc. 2011 VP Music Group Inc., under license from Randys Music Group, Inc.
Album review
Who could imagine that a child's toy instrument would launch not just a star, but a whole new musical style? Yet that is precisely what happened to Augustus Pablo and his melodica. The musician set Jamaica alight with "East of the River Nile," the prototype for the new Far Eastern style, and cemented his reputation with the hot hit "Java." Initially, Pablo had recorded with producer Herman Chin-Loy, but eventually began working with two other members of the family, Clive Chin and his uncle Leonard. (The keyboardist also recorded with producers outside the Chin clan). By 1974, a debut album, This Is Augustus Pablo, was in the works, rounding up a dozen tracks cut with the Chins. An amazing roster of talent accompanied Pablo on these recordings, including the Barrett brothers, Earl "Chinna" Smith, Errol Thompson, and keyboardists Ansel Collins and Glen Adams. Together the men created a simmering rootsy sound, percolating with reggae beats. In keeping with the Far East sound, many of these instrumentals are in a minor key, conjuring up a wondrous atmosphere which ranges from yearning to pensive. Although the album doesn't include "Nile" or "Java," more recent singles were featured, including "Pablo in Dub," which debuted Leonard Chin's new Santic label, and "Lover's Mood." Many of the melodies are variations on classic songs, or, in the case of "Jah Rock" (a version of "Ol' Man River), Hollywood greats. The music swings across the spectrum from the classically tinged "Please Survive" to the almost poppy "Pretty Baby," encompassing the deep dub of "Point Blank" and "Pablo in Dub" to the jaunty "Too Late." All told, it's a masterful set of mood music, all featuring that winsome little melodica.
© Jo-Ann Greene /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 15 track(s)
- Total length: 00:44:32
- Main artists: Augustus Pablo
- Label: VP Records
- Genre: World Reggae
2011 VP Music Group Inc., under license from Randys Music Group, Inc. 2011 VP Music Group Inc., under license from Randys Music Group, Inc.
Improve album informationWhy buy on Qobuz?
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalog with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets, and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.