Augustus Pablo - Java (H. Swaby/C.Chin)
Augustus Pablo - Java Dub (H. Swaby/C.Chin)
US Reissue, original 1971
Produced by Clive Chin for Above Rock, reissue distributed by Jammyland
Augustus Pablo developed his melodica Far East sound with Aquarius producer Herman Chin Loy, already recording at Randy's. Clive Chin had originally recorded a vocal by Dennis Wright on the Java Riddim, but was unhappy with the result. He then asked his friend Horace Swaby, AKA Augustus Pablo to play on it, and the resulting record (with Errol Thompson on the mixing desk, and the Chosen Few as a backing band) was a massive success that launched Pablo's career. Clive's uncle Keith Chin initially took credit for the track, and released it on the New York Impact label as Chosen Few - East of the Rio Cobre. Obviously, this got Pablo very upset, but later things worked out. The success of Java encouraged Clive Chin to issue further cuts of the rhythm, including a splendid horns version from Tommy McCook, Jaro, coupled with an Augustus Pablo clavinet cut, Maro, and a Dennis Alcapone toast, Mava coupled with Pablo and Bongo Herman's Java Passion. Clive produced also a full album (two tracks were actually produced by Leonard 'Santic' Chin) for Augustus on Impact, the stunning debut This is Augustus Pablo (1973), on which Pablo played various lead key instruments. Be shure to also check out Pablo's cut on Alton Ellis' Too Late To Turn Back Now, recorded in 1972.
- MySpace Augustus Pablo