AUGUSTUS PABLO Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Man like Augustus Pablo is revered amongst true dub heads. His ability to lay down killer riddims was second to none back in the day and this one is a classic amongst many. 'Pablo In Red' rides on a tuff rhythm from the mid-seventies that was originally produced by Enos McLeod. It has some enriching harmonics and wobbly low ends. On the flip, McLeod's 'Well Red' is a dubbed-out version with extra sonic spice making it more late night and twisted.

Review: Augustus Pablo and Enos McLeod were something of a dub dream team back in the heyday of the gene in Jamaica. They produced plenty of great jams together, a few of which are being reissued at the moment. This one is another heavy hitter from the pair. 'Pablo Nuh Jester' pens up with some traditional drum shuffle and natty guitar work. The kicks sit perfectly in the bass while the florid bursts of harmonica are pure vibes. On the B-side, Enos McLeod steps up to rework and further dub out his own rhythmic framework and calls it 'Last Of Jestering.'

Review: It's the record that defined it all: King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown, the defining collaborative album by Augustus Pablo and King Tubby, released in 1976. Not only a seminal record in terms of spreading the missionary message of dub, KTMRU is also a favourite of even contemporary deejays for its outsized, mature sound, one marked by eccentrically high-feedbacked, pop-eye delay effects, not to mention a driven percussion section. Now released in Canada by Clocktower Records, Canucks (and citizens of all other beneficiary nations of international postage systems) can enjoy the multi-instrumental blitz of Earl Smith, Ashton Barrett, Carlton Barrett, Robbie Shakespeare in collaboration with Tubby, the protomartyr of dub himself, on one of the quintessentially best dub reggae albums of all time.

Review: This little 45 is a brilliant dub release that showcases his mastery of the genre. Side-1 features 'Thunder Clapp', a smooth and atmospheric dub version of Bill Withers' 'Ain't No Sunshine'. The track oozes laid-back, reggae-inspired vibes, with Pablo's signature melodica adding depth to the mix. On Side-2, 'Lightning Clapp' takes things up a notch, delivering a tripped-out, raw dub version of the first track. It's a true dub lover's dream, with intricate echo effects, spacey atmospheres and experimental rhythms that push the boundaries of the genre. If you appreciate classic dub experimentation or unique cover versions, check this out.