Search - Augustus Pablo :: El Rocker's

* The FINEST Augustus Pablo Compilation *

Jasper | New England | 08/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the finest Augustus Pablo collection that has ever been on the market, bar none. It gets no more deep, dank, and skanky than Pressure Sounds' "El Rocker's." This is actually such a superlative compilation of deadly instrumentals and dubs, that it even eclipses most other original Pablo LPs that he released himself. Truly, no other Pablo compilation even approaches the majestic roots power of the formerly rare masterpieces collected herein; The very heart, soul and vision of Augustus Pablo is contained perfectly within these grooves. Dreadly, earthy, spiritual, and totally uncompromising, this is Pablo creating thick, dense, master-class head music at his 1970s peak. If, like me, your favorite thing about Pablo is his melodica playing, you will be thrilled to discover that this album features beautiful full instrumental versions of most of the rhythms dubbed on "King Tubby's Meets Rockers Uptown." Tunes here that have the same titles as tracks on the "Original Rockers" and "King Tubby's Meets Rockers Uptown" LPs are actually totally different cuts on those rhythms. In addition to the tracks that feature Pablo's mesmerizing melodica, we are spoiled beyond comprehension by gorgeous xylophone cuts ("Black Gunn" and "New Style"), and full-on dubs ("1 Ruthland Close," "132 Version," "El Rocker's, "Say So Version," and "Hot Dub"). The rich evidence of King Tubby's hand in much of the dub and instrumental mixing raises the level of greatness that much higher.



To go into too much detail about the tracks contained herein would be futile, but suffice to say that they owe their aesthetic mostly to the seminal "Original Rockers" and "King Tubby's Meets Rockers Uptown" LPs. If you've got those two aforementioned disc, and perhaps "East Of The River Nile," then it is surely time to let "El Rocker's" into your ears and mind so as to confound and delight you with the fullness of Augustus Pablo's stunning vision. These are not scraps, by the way, but rare 7" records which were pressed on the island in small batches and never issued on CD until "El Rocker's" was unleashed.



Pressure Sounds, phenomenal label that they are, may have never produced a better single-artist release. The sound quality is excellent through and through, and within the gorgeous mexican folk-art styled cover are liner notes of the most intelligent, detailed and enlightening sort. The entire set is held snugly within a cardboard slipcase.



As an enthusiastic Augustus Pablo admirer, I say with confidence that this set is the absolute cream of the crop. Pick this up without hesitation or reservation, and you will have gifted yourself most wisely. Sure, there are other Augustus Pablo compilations (Trojan's "Skanking With Pablo is quite good) but none of them are even in the same arena as "El Rocker's," and you can put that in your chalice and smoke it."

Essential Dub

Matthew J. Studley | Providence, RI USA | 02/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is -great-. Blood & Fire and Pressure Sounds are the only two labels that I trust for Dub/Reggae and this album along with Burning Spear/Spear Burning are the best releases from Pressure Sounds. Crank the bass and the volume and enjoy!"

Excellant compilation!

Jack Smith | W-S, NC uSSa | 01/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Both of Pressure Sounds' Pablo collections are essential. Amazing range of instrumentals, versions and dubs. If you are a fan of King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown, this is a must own!"