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Tetrack & Augustus Pablo: The Movement



VP Music Group

Tetrack in collaboration with record producer and instrumentalist, Augustus Pablo, presents Let’s Get Started, classic roots, rock, and dub reggae album. Recorded at the renowned Black Ark Studio, Channel One, and Harry J’s, this is an essential collectible for musicologists and reggae enthusiasts. Recorded in 1978 and premiering in 1980, Greensleeves label, a division of VP Records released this edition June 22, 2018. Distributed as a vinyl set to maintain the organic sound, the album is also available on CD with the addition of Eastman Dub, by Augustus Pablo, remastered by Kevin Metcalfe. A bonus twelve-page booklet featuring liner notes by Noel Hawks is part of the digital package.

During the early 70s, Carlton Hines, Dave Harvey and Paul Mangaroo formed Tetrack. Achieving successive hits soon after, especially throughout the 70s and 80s, the band gains monumental recognition through the song writing talent of Mangaroo and the vocal styles and strength of Hines and Harvey. As with other genres, musicians, producers, and sound engineers play a significant role in the development process. And the Tetrack album, Let’s Get Started, features the legendary talents of Augustus Pablo, Junior Dan, Robbie Shakespeare, Michael Taylor, Albert Mawali, Clevie Browne, Leroy “Horsemouth” Wallace, Dalton Brownie, Fazel Pendergast, Garth Swaby, Hugh Mundell, Ras Menelik, Steelie, and Headly “Deadly” Bennet.

As a result, each member is a representation of the prismatic experience of the social, political, and cultural sphere of roots, rock, and reggae in Jamaica during the climate of 1978. And Augustus Pablo leading the development of this project through his life world arranges a melodic narrative that remains culturally, musically, and financially relevant today. Because reflective of the title, a suggestion of let’s get started often means we have already began before the world recognizes our efforts. Rather the development process is a full circle moment, arriving at the vision. But being a visionary is minute in comparison to being an adventurer.


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Continuously, the successes of roots reggae remind us we need a fortified soul as Augustus Pablo to lead projects. His catalogue of work resonates the importance of producers to balance art and culture. Reflective in his work, especially this album is an understanding of the complexities music and life, how to code switch, and which weapon of reasoning, negotiating, and navigating to apply. Beyond vision and talent, Augustus Pablo produces the reality of sounds and personalities from distinct channels which, is the true roots of reggae. Perhaps, far from a peaceful and fearless venture, but the love for quality music and the need for love and unity in Jamaica and worldwide steers this production. Even today, this message echoes profoundly throughout this album.

Recognizable in one of Augustus Pablo’s critically acclaimed work, “East Man Dub”, are the influence of cornerstone relationships. Particularly, his collaborations with Clive Chin as forerunners in the dub arrangement executed as a single. As well, we can identify the collective tone from his partnerships as the atmospheric sound with Lee Scratch Perry, meditative vibe with Bob Marley, and detailed sound from King Tubby. Now who does not need this as part of their library? A reminder that in love and art, we forever stand firm. Respect to Tetrack. Salute to Augustus Pablo.©

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