AUGUSTUS PABLO DISCOGRAPHY

ROCKERS ALMIGHTY

THE ROCKERS INTERNATIONAL BAND (FEATURING AUGUSTUS PABLO, JUNIOR DELGADO, WHITE MICE, YAMMY BOLO, LONDON, THE AUSTORIA.

 

I think this might be the best show I've ever seen. It was certainly the best reggae show I've seen. The place was packed, and apart from being entertained, I would hope that a few might have learned something too. Learned that, contrary to idiot opinion that still prevails, reggae now is hotter than it has been since the mid-Seventies. This show did its best to encourage that idea, providing brief slots for two be-suited young originals in the music, Yammy Bolo and White Mice. Pablo and Jux are older heroes; by providing a showcase for these two youth singers the stars are emphasising that the listeners would do well to realise this. Yammy strode on in a black suit and sang his anthemic 'Free Mandela' , given a fine rendering by the band. i'd have liked to see him do more, but no sooner was he through with it them on came White Mice, again in a dark suit, ("You think it's the hair on your head, that makes you dreader than dread; but it's the heart within, Rasta no dwell in sin . . . " - Junior Byles) a crisp figure singing ' Jah Jah Give Me True Love' and sounding great. Unfortunately he had barely got into the song at all when Pablo made his entrance and went to the keyboards centre-stage, getting a roar of applause that almost drowned the singer. But the youth's time is to come, so no matter. You couldn't hear Pablo's quiet announcements, but his melodica emerged warm and wonderful from the PA. In front of him the flag of Ethiopia waved, from behind him the incredeble band - the best and most progressive band it has been a pleasure to witness-played, and Pablo was into 'Rockers Rock' and you knew it was going to be an amazing night. Pablo's set was around 40 minutes. Pablo played 'Java' and everyone went mad. 'Cassava Piece' was given a dry rendition - earlier Jacob's Miller's cut was played by DBC' providing a contrast - the distinctive bassline dropping into the hall like a landslide. Best of all, a genuine Randy's-style rendition of 'East Of The River Nile', Pablo's funkiest tune with fine jazz chording and some great solos from Chinna, who was a revelation throughout, playing Wes Montgomery lines here, slide guitar there, and ringing, dazzling solos when called upon. The rhythm section of Ranchie and Benbow were supple and deft, the entire band was a oneness, with Mikey Carrol's trumpet providing a mystical lead part throughout. The audience should have been ashamed of themselves for not according a bigger welcome than they did for an awesome set from Junior Delgado. Recognising that he had a hard act to follow, Jux, dressed in silver, worked as hard as ever I've seen a singer work. He threw himself into high kicks, flung himself all overthe stage, did a variation on the mashed potato, but that wasn't all. He also sang his heart out, on a selection of titles including the phenomenal 'Raggamuffin Year', 'Fort Augustus', 'Trickster', and accompanying himself on guitar for the half-solo 'Rebel Sold In Captive', a song that he obviously feels strongly about, and rightly so. It is to the detriment of the audience that he wasn't carried out on their shoulders like a hero. I've seen soul crowds go completly beserk for woefully average performances; Jux was in exalted company tonight and did more than acquit himself . . . the reggae audience doesn't know the power of what it's got. Ian McCann