In Fine Style in Bloomington, MN

London's
Pressure Sounds
label followed up their
El Rocker's
compilation (an excellent introduction to the musical vision of
Augustus Pablo
) with this set of rare 7" and 12" sides from the Jamaican innovator. Songs are grouped by rhythm, with multiple versions of seven
Pablo
productions making up the 17 tracks here. Because of this,
In Fine Style
may not be the recommended entry point for beginners. Collectors, however, will be greatly rewarded, and novices willing to dive in will experience firsthand the art of the version. Deejays
Jah Levi
(aka singer
Hugh Mundell
) and
Jah Iny
appear on a couple of tracks, but the remainder of the set is given over to
's excursions on piano, organ, clavinet, xylophone, and his trademark melodica. In the excellent liner notes, writer
Harry Hawke
places the cuts of
Paul Whiteman
's
"Earth Wind and Fire"
in the same league as
's classic
"King Tubby's Meets Rockers Uptown"."
His claim is more than justified by the three expertly mixed versions of the superb rhythm (
"Cool Shade of Dub,"
"Ras Menilik Congo (Harp),"
and
"Roots Dub"
) at the heart of this set. There's a great deal more to recommend as well, including three versions of
Studio One
"Real Rock"
rhythm (among them the brilliantly off-kilter
"Rockers Rock (Version)"
), the stark, second dub of
"Up Warika Hill"
(
"Mountain View Dub (Version Two)"
) and the opening
"Far East"
with its impeccable horn and melodica lines. The quality (and rarity) of the material ensures that
is more than just a money-making repackaging job. It's an essential chapter, both in
's story, and in the history of
reggae
. ~ Nathan Bush