Customer Reviews

Original Rockers

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is THE version to get of the classic Augustus Pablo album, "Original Rockers," indisputably one of the finest reggae LPs of the genre's golden era. The version released on Shanachie in 1991 suffers from poor sound, and only features ten tracks. This version, released by Greensleeves in 2006, has been sonically scrubbed for stunningly clear, colorful sound, and features 12 tracks instead of 10. In fact, out of the many Pablo releases I have, this one easily sounds the best, audio-wise. The two extra tracks on this issue fit right in, as they are extra-heavy Tubby dubs of "Tubby's Dub Song" (the original of which is actually more of a melodica instrumental) and "Brace A Boy." "Brace A Boy" is a DJ cut by Dillinger, but the extra version here cuts out the vocals and dubs the rhythm to the top. "Tubby's Dub Song (version 2)" is up there with Tubby's heaviest, most trippy dubs, and is as essential as anything on the original LP. In fact, I can't see listening to the album WITHOUT these two dubs now, they fit in so well. I like to sequence these extra versions right after the original versions on this album, as I find the flow quite natural this way, and it still ends with Pablo's haunting xylophone meditation "AP Special," as he no doubt would have wanted.

"Original Rockers" is definitive Pablo, a cohesive mix of instrumental and dub sounds which form a heady, transcendent listening experience. Most tracks are deep melodica instrumentals, although there are a few straight-out dubs, and "Thunder Clap," a funky clavinet instrumental on the "Ain't No Sunshine" melody. For me, "Original Rockers" is right up there with "King Tubby's Meets Rockers Uptown," and is part of what I consider the great trilogy of original Pablo LPs, along with "East of the River Nile." "Up Warrika Hill," "Cassava Piece," "Jah Dread," "Thunder Clap," and all of the others tracks are simply killer after killer after killer. The heavy bass, deep grooves, and visionary musicianship and production of Augustus Pablo make this one of the greatest Jamaican albums of all time, a statement I do not make lightly. The fact that this music was recorded at Tubby's and mixed by King Tubby and Prince Jammy doesn't hurt any either. This music has so much color, so much groove, and so much soul, that I have no doubt it will provide any true music lover with hours and hours of blissful listening, as it has (and continues to) for me.

Remember, my friends, if you want to get the quality release, make sure that it is from 2006, lists the label as "Greensleeves" and features twelve tracks instead of ten...trust me, you'll thank me when you hear it. Enjoy.

This has been, hands-down, my favorite collection of dub/reggae for over 20 years. If you are a fan of Pablo, this is a must own!

p.s. The other reviewer is dead-on. The Shanachie version is quite inferior to this version. My only complaint is the re-working of the artwork...oh well, I still have my original vinyl to look at (it was worn out years ago)

This remastered version on the greensleeve label does sound better than the older version plus this version includes some bonus tracks. The album is good but I have 2 minor complaints. I think the front cover art on the older version of Original Rockers looks more appealing and more authentic than this version and my second complaint is that about 3-4 songs on this album are different remixed versions of songs from the albums King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown and 1 song from King David's Melody. The versions of those songs on this album are at least mixed and recorded a little differently so it's not the same exact song. No big deal but I'm not too fond of repeated material from other albums. Overall this is a feel good album with good sound quality and it's worth buying for your pablo collection. If you buy this album make sure you buy this greensleeve version so you get the bonus tracks and the improved sound quality.

Sorry for the 3 stars. It's great, but being my third Augustus Pablo, it doesn't sound much different than the others. Are there some repeat songs on here? It's nice and everything and I'll def hang onto it, but two were probably enough.