Words by Addis Pablo—
Augustus Pablo, who would have turned 70 this Saturday, was a pivotal figure for reggae, both as a producer known for his distinctive and often minor-key-dominated sounds, and as music’s first true melodica specialist. The late Pablo’s distinctive sound also carried over to his record label, Rockers International, which released numerous recordings from the ’70s through the ’90s. (Classic reissues from the label, back in press after years out of print, are available in the LargeUp store). Here, his son Addis Pablo, who is taking his father’s instrument of choise into the 21st century with his collective Suns of Dub, has collected some of his favorite tunes from the Rockers catalog, most featuring his father’s inimitable melodica playing.
For more on Pablo’s playing, and his legacy on the melodica, read our Ten Classic Songs with a Melodica feature.