Augustus Pablo was the name of Horace Swaby, born June 21, 1954 and died May 18, 1999. Swaby, also known as Augustus Pablo (Jamaican roots reggae, dub and melodica producer), was an active keyboardist and melodica player from the 1970s. He was a pioneer in reggae music and the use of the melodyca, an instrument that was primarily used to teach music to children in Jamaican schools. He was a dedicated Rasta. He was born in St. Andrew (Jamaica) and learned how to play the organ at Kingston College School. At that time, a girl unnamed gave him the melodica. Pablo was fascinated by the instrument and would not let it go. After working in his cousin Leslie Kong’s Beverley’s record shop, he had opened his own Aquarius store at Half Way Tree. Swaby recorded the first tracks “Higgi Higgi”, “East of the River Nile”, “Song of the East” and “The Red Sea” between 1971 and 1973, for Chin-Loy’s Aquarius Records. Augustus Pablo was a name that Chin Loy used for keyboard instrumentals by Glen Adams and Lloyd Charmers. Swaby adopted the name. “East of The River Nile,” a unique mix of East Asian and Jamaican sounds became moderately popular. While he was playing the keyboard in Now Generation’s band, Mickey Chung, he also joined them. Clive Chin started his own record production career. Pablo and Chin recorded “Java”, a 1972 song, together. Clive was able get studio time after Pablo left Now Generation. This hit was a huge success and launched Pablo’s solo career. He recorded with Chin as well as various other musicians, including Leonard Chin (his uncle) and Lee Perry. Another hit was “My Desire” by John Holt. Pablo founded the labels Hot Stuff and Message, and Rockers, which were named after his brother’s soundsystem Rockers. He released a steady stream instrumentals that were well received, mostly versions of Studio One songs. Despite his success with Rockers Pablo’s 1974 album This Is Augustus Pablo was recorded by Clive and Pat Chin. The collaboration was then followed by the 1975’s Ital Dub, which saw King Tubby as the legendary reggae engineer. Pablo had a steady stream hit in the 1970s with hits like “Black Star Liner” (“Fred Locks). He worked with Dillinger and Norris Reid as well as Te -Track’s Jacob Miller, Te -Track and The Immortals. These LPs were critically acclaimed, including King Tubby Meets rockers Uptown (1976), and Hugh Mundell’s classic Africa Must be Free in 1983. Then came East of the River Nile (1978), Original Rockers (79), and Rockers Meets Tubby in the Firehouse (1979), another hit album. Pablo’s career declined significantly in the 1980s. He appeared on the soundtrack to the 1980 documentary D.O.A. Rising Sun was released in 1986 to positive reviews and good sales. Pablo also recorded memorable hits like “Ragamuffin Year”, “Humble Yourself” and “Junior Delgado” (Asher).
