Augustus Pablo: Heavy Dubs & Versions by Mista Savona 🎶

Some of my all time favourite Augustus Pablo dubs & selections, including many rarities & lesser known 7"s & B-Sides.

Some background - the first instrumental reggae I ever heard was a cassette tape given to me in Australia by a girlfriend when I was only sixteen, labelled 'Pablo Meets Mr Bassie' [Original Rockers Vol. 2]. In terms of Jamaican music I had only heard the music of the great Bob Marley & The Wailers, so it was a defining moment - opening my mind to just how deep and mystical instrumental roots reggae can be.

My DJ set here explores that album and the various associated dubs and B-sides (which I discovered later), with the focus mostly on Pablo's own Rockers Label and his output during the 70's and early 80's. You will also hear some of his collaborations with close friends such as King Tubby, Yabby You, Lee 'Scratch' Perry, Hugh Mundell, Jacob Miller, Horace Andy, and many more.

The opening track is his B-Side 'Meditation Dub' on the Words Riddim, which sets the tone perfectly for this whole set. It's much longer than I first intended - almost three hours - and includes some of the most transcendental music ever recorded. Relax your mind and let the music take you somewhere deep, somewhere peaceful. It's a meditation as well as a journey through some of the best of the 1970's and 80's Kingston music scene.

Horace Michael Swaby aka Augustus Pablo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustus_Pablo

Also I want to thank everyone for the amazing feedback for my King Tubby mix (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DD8GIy-hNt8) - a million streams and hundreds of uplifting comments. Thank you so much for the feedback & support, it's really what inspired me to create this new Augustus Pablo selection here.

Next I'll do a collection of my favourite Black Ark cuts as well as a Jackie Mittoo / Studio One tribute mix. Until then, bless up!

Mista Savona, August 2025

[ Image: 7" vinyl of Pablo's 'Meditation Dub' from the fantastic @BionicDub Youtube Channel ]