At the height of his popularity during the 1970s, Augustus Pablo opened Rockers, a record store located on Orange Street in Kingston. It became a hangout for roots artistes and musicians.

Pablo, a musician/producer known for songs like Java and East of The River Nile, died in May 1999 at age 44. The Rockers store slowly went into decline, but in February, his children Isis and Addis, reopened a renovated facility.

The interior has been redesigned with Pablo and his legacy being the focal points. There is also memorabilia of his contemporaries, as well as an updated Rockers International sound system and a television display of the company’s achievements.

In an interview with the Jamaica Observer, 36-year-old Addis said the new-look Rockers is attracting a key demographic.

“We are always looking to share the music to the younger generations and new fans. So far, we have gotten a handful of visitors from the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, as well as university students,” he said. “At the same time, we consider the numerous fans and supporters which have been a part of the journey from the foundation until now — some of which are younger than you’d expect coming from all over the world.”

Born Horace Swaby, Augustus Pablo was among the many middle-class Jamaicans who embraced Rastafari during the late 1960s. A graduate of Kingston College, his breakthrough came in 1972 with the mystic instrumental Java, on which he played his signature melodica.

Java was followed by King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown and East of The River Nile, songs that defined the Rockers movement.

Pablo also mentored young artistes including Jacob Miller, Hugh Mundell, and Yami Bolo.

Addis is non-committal about what his father would think about current roots acts like Chronixx or Jesse Royal.

“It’s hard to say. However, knowing he mainly focused on developing artistes and talent, he’d be happy to see a younger audience and generation being involved and successful in the industry which he and his contemporaries helped to mould,” he said.

Born in New Jersey, Addis is also a musician who has recorded an album, an EP and numerous songs. Musical High, his collaboration with Chezidek, was released in April.