Ital Dub
Augustus Pablo
1974Studio
- Vinyl 8
- CD 1
- Cassette
Artist profile · 05/07/2026
Augustus Pablo
Augustus Pablo, born Horace Swaby in 1954 in Saint Andrew, Jamaica, was a dub and roots reggae keyboardist noted for his signature use of the melodica. His career spanned from early 1970s to late 1990s with over 25 vinyl albums.
- 18
- Albums on Vinyles.com
- 414k
- Last.fm listeners
- 7M
- Last.fm plays
About
Augustus Pablo, Melodica pioneer of dub and roots reggae from Jamaica.
Over 25 vinyl releases blending dub and roots reggae—key albums like East Of The River Nile prized on vinyl.
Specializing in dub and roots reggae, Augustus Pablo emerged in the 1970s as a distinctive voice through his deployment of the melodica, crafting ethereal melodies atop traditional riddims. His work includes collaborations with major producers and sound systems, establishing Rockers International as a notable label. Noteworthy albums such as "East Of The River Nile" (1978) and "Africa Must Be Free By... 1983 Dub" (1978) highlight his deep connection to roots culture and dub innovation.
Pablo's discography features a mix of studio albums, dub treatments, and influential collaborations, with vinyl pressings from Jamaica, UK, and US. Prices vary widely with rare pressings of "Africa Must Be Free By...
Discography
Augustus Pablo discography
Studio albums, live records, compilations and radio recordings. Each album groups all its editions.
Thriller
Augustus Pablo
1975Studio
- Vinyl 3
- CD 1
- Cassette
Rockers All Stars – Chanting Dub With The Help Of The Father
Augustus Pablo
1978Studio
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Authentic Golden Melodies
Augustus Pablo
1980Studio
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Rockers Meets King Tubbys in a Fire House
Augustus Pablo
1980Studio
- Vinyl 1
- CD 1
- Cassette 1
Earth’s Rightful Ruler
Augustus Pablo
1988Studio
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Raggamuffin Dub
Augustus Pablo
1990Studio
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Live in Tokyo Japan
Augustus Pablo
1991Live
- Vinyl
- CD 1
- Cassette
Pablo Meets Mr. Bassie: Original Rockers, Volume 2
Augustus Pablo
1991Studio
- Vinyl 1
- CD 1
- Cassette 1
King David's Melody (Classic Instrumentals & Dubs)
Augustus Pablo
1993Studio
- Vinyl 1
- CD 2
- Cassette 1
From$25.91
at eBay
Heartical Chart
Augustus Pablo
1994Studio
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
King Selassie I Calling
Augustus Pablo
1996Studio
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
The Red Sea
Augustus Pablo
1998Studio
- Vinyl 2
- CD 1
- Cassette
Pablo’s Last Stand
Augustus Pablo
1999Studio
- Vinyl
- CD 1
- Cassette
Rockers Dub Store 90's
Augustus Pablo
1999Studio
- Vinyl 1
- CD 1
- Cassette
Dub, Reggae & Roots From the Melodica King
Augustus Pablo
2000Studio
- Vinyl 1
- CD 1
- Cassette
Augustus Pablo Meets Lee Perry at the Black Ark
Augustus Pablo
2001Studio
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Reggae Best
Augustus Pablo
2001Studio
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Augustus Pablo Meets Lee Perry & The Wailers Band: Rare Dubs 1970-1971
Augustus Pablo
2006Studio
- Vinyl 1
- CD 1
- Cassette
Original Rockers Vol.2
Augustus Pablo
2007Studio
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Raiders Dub
Augustus Pablo
2007Studio
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
King Tubby's Tribute to Augustus Pablo
Augustus Pablo
2009Studio
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Greek Theater - Berkeley 1984
Augustus Pablo
2014Live
- Vinyl 2
- CD 1
- Cassette
Enos McLeod Presents Thriller Episode 2
Augustus Pablo
Studio
- Vinyl 1
- CD 1
- Cassette
Data provided by Discogs
Listen
Signature songs
- 01King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown
- 02King Tubby Meets The Rockers Uptown
- 03Keep on Dubbing
- 04
East Of The River NileEast Of The River Nile · 1978 - 05Stop Them Jah
- 06King Tubby's Meets Rockers Uptown
- 07Java
- 08Young Generation Dub
Essentials
3 Augustus Pablo albums you need to own
Our picks, approved by the editors.
#1 · 1978A seminal studio album blending roots reggae and dub with 12 tracks including "Chant To King Selassie I" and the title track. It displays Pablo's signature melodica and dub production.
12 tracksStereo pressingLabel: Message1978 original release
#2 · 1978A dub album featuring eight tracks of politically charged and spiritually resonant dub versions, notable for its rarity and collectible value.
8 tracksLabel: MessageOriginal pressing highly rated1978 release- #3 · 2014
One of Pablo's more recent studio albums with 10 dub tracks. Available on multiple pressings with prices ranging from 12.9 to 15 euros.
10 tracksLabel: 17 North Parade2014 original US pressingTwo vinyl versions available
Go further
Artists similar to Augustus Pablo
Artists who share part of Augustus Pablo's musical DNA.
Rockers all stars
King Tubby
Keith Hudson
The Upsetters
Scientist
Prince Jammy
Lee "Scratch" Perry & The Upsetters
Lee "Scratch" Perry
B-side
B-side: the hidden stories of Augustus Pablo
Studio secrets, tour stories and B-sides worth the whole album.
01Early Career
Augustus Pablo's first single produced by Herman Chin-Loy
At age 15, Horace Swaby auditioned with Herman Chin-Loy who produced his first single "Iggy Igy" within 24 hours, marking the debut for Pablo's melodica-driven sound under the name Augustus Pablo.
021978 Album
East Of The River Nile recorded at Black Ark Studio
"East Of The River Nile" was mixed at Lee Perry's Black Ark Studio, embedding mystical and roots reggae heritage into the album's dub soundscape in 1978.
03Production
Collaboration with King Tubby on "King Tubby's Meets Rockers Uptown"
The iconic dub album "King Tubby's Meets Rockers Uptown" features production by Augustus Pablo and King Tubby, noted for its devastating remix of Jacob Miller's "Baby I Love You So".
Augustus Pablo was renamed by Herman Chin-Loy and became the signature artist for the Aquarius Records label.— Music industry anecdote
05Label
Founding of Rockers label in 1972
Augustus Pablo and his brother started the Rockers label and sound system in 1972 to gain control over their productions and to release new dub riffs and riddims.
Augustus Pablo vinyl discography
See allPre-order Pre-order New In Roots Vibes - édition colorée - Vinyle
Augustus Pablo
Roots ReggaeReggae/Ragga
2026-10-09CULTURE PRESSFrom$26.10
1 offerKing David's Melody (Expanded Edition)
Augustus Pablo
Roots ReggaeReggae/Ragga
2025-08-08VP GreensleevesFrom$25.91
1 offerPresents Rockers International Vol.2
Augustus Pablo
Roots ReggaeReggae/Ragga
2025-08-08VP GreensleevesFrom$13.00
1 offerPresents Rockers International Vol.1
Augustus Pablo
Roots ReggaeReggae/Ragga
2025-08-08VP GreensleevesFrom$21.95
1 offerAfrica Must Be Free by 1983 Dub
Augustus Pablo
DubReggae/Ragga
2025-08-08VP GreensleevesFrom$23.57
1 offerThis Is Augustus Pablo (Expanded)
Augustus Pablo
Roots ReggaeReggae/Ragga
2025-08-08VP GreensleevesFrom$23.57
1 offerPRESENTS ROCKERS INTERNATIONAL VOLUME 1
Augustus Pablo
Roots ReggaeReggae/Ragga
2023-05-12GREENSLEEVESFrom$21.95
1 offer
Augustus Pablo CDs
See all
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FAQ
FAQ
The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.
Who was Augustus Pablo and what instrument defined his sound?
Augustus Pablo was a Jamaican dub and roots reggae musician known for his pioneering use of the melodica as his main melodic instrument.
What are some essential vinyl albums by Augustus Pablo to collect?
Key vinyl albums include "East Of The River Nile" (1978), "Africa Must Be Free By... 1983 Dub" (1978), and "Born To Dub You" (2014), spanning classic dub to modern productions.
How many studio albums does Augustus Pablo have on vinyl?
Augustus Pablo has over 25 vinyl albums including studio, dub, and compilation releases available across different labels and countries.
What is the price range for Augustus Pablo vinyl records?
Prices vary widely; rare original pressings like "Africa Must Be Free By... 1983 Dub" reach above 60 euros, while others like "Born To Dub You" are found between 12 and 15 euros.
Where was Augustus Pablo born and when did he pass away?
Born in Saint Andrew, Jamaica in 1954, Augustus Pablo passed away in 1999 and left a lasting legacy in dub and reggae music.
Is Augustus Pablo's music available in stereo vinyl format?
Yes, several albums including "East Of The River Nile" are available in stereo vinyl pressings, enhancing the dub experience for collectors.
Which labels released Augustus Pablo's vinyl records in France?
Labels such as Greensleeves and VP Records have released Augustus Pablo's music in France, often through reissues and compilations.
What is significant about the album "King Tubby's Meets Rockers Uptown"?
This album features a collaboration with dub legend King Tubby and is notable for its influential dub mixes of tracks like Jacob Miller's "Baby I Love You So".
Transparency
Sources & method
This profile is compiled by the vinyles.com editors from public sources and our marketplace.
Our method
- Discography data from MusicBrainz (dates, country, active years).
- Tracklists, covers and genres from Discogs Masters.
- Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
- Audience and similar artists from Last.fm.
- Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editors.
Last updated: 05/07/2026