In commemoration of Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of Independence from Britain, the Jamaica Observer’s Entertainment section recognises 50 persons who made significant, yet unheralded, contributions to the country’s culture. This week we feature singer Augustus Pablo.

IN its latest issue, British magazine Mojo pays the ultimate tribute to reggae visionary Augustus Pablo.

Mojo named Pablo’s East of the River Nile and King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown as the top two pieces on its 50 greatest reggae albums of all time.

Those albums, recorded in the 1970s, captured Pablo at his creative peak. They caught the attention of like-minded musicians in Europe and the United States, who regarded the slim melodica player as a genius.

When American independent label Shanachie Records launched its reggae catalogue in 1982, Pablo’s Rockers Meets King Tubby Ina Firehouse was its first title.

The man, who was christened Horace Swaby, came from a respected middleclass family. He attended Kingston College where he fine-tuned his piano in the school’s chapel.

By the late 1960s, Swaby morphed into Augustus Pablo and become an active session player.

In 1971, Pablo and schoolmate Clive Chin produced the sensuous instrumental Java which featured the mystic feel that became a hallmark of his music.

Augustus Pablo was also a mentor. He produced some of Jacob Miller’s best work and performed similar duties on singer Hugh Mundell’s acclaimed album, Africa Must Be Free by 1983.

Pablo died in 1999 at age 44, leaving a legacy of creativity that continues to be recognised abroad but ignored in his homeland.