Aswad are a British reggae group from London, active since 1975. Their name means “black” in Arabic. The band is known for combining reggae with R&B, soul and soca influences, and for a catalogue that spans twenty-one albums.

Background

The group forms in west London in 1975, among the children of Caribbean immigrants who settle in the city after World War II. Their early years are tied to the Ladbroke Grove area and nearby schools. Brinsley Forde, who has a separate early television credit on the British children’s series Here Come the Double Deckers in 1970–71, is one of the original members.

Line-up

The original line-up consists of Brinsley Forde, George Oban, Drummie Zeb and Donald Griffiths. Over time, the group includes Martin Augustine, Jimmy Haynes, Clifton Morrison and Tony Gad. Tony Gad is Dennis Anthony Robinson; Angus Gaye is the real name of Drummie Zeb. George Oban leaves in 1980, and Tony Gad joins that same year.

Style and early reputation

Aswad builds an early reputation with songs about the oppression of black youth, including “Three Babylon” and “It’s Not Our Wish”. Their instrumental “Warrior Charge” becomes especially associated with a jazz-influenced approach within their reggae sound. Courtney Hemmings contributes frequently in the 1970s, including on Burning Spear’s Live album recorded at London’s Rainbow Theatre in 1979.

Key releases and wider recognition

The album New Chapter in 1981 widens their audience. Its opening track, “Fire”, gains added recognition when it is used as the backing rhythm for Dennis Brown’s “Promised Land”. Among their best-known hits are “Don’t Turn Around”, which becomes a pop hit in 1988, “Shine” from 1994, and a 1998 remake of The Police’s “Invisible Sun”, performed with Sting. They also record a reggae version of “Best of My Love”, a song first written and popularised by The Eagles.

Collaborations and associations

The band also play with each of the former Wailers. Their discography includes releases on Mango Records, Columbia Records, Simba, Jah Shaka, Stylus, Alex, Rhino Entertainment, Mesa, Atlantic Records and Ark 21, among others. Notable albums include Aswad, Hulet, Showcase, A New Chapter of Dub, Not Satisfied, Live and Direct, Rebel Souls, To the Top, Distant Thunder, Too Wicked, Firesticks, Rise and Shine, Rise and Shine Again!, Dub: The Next Frontier, Big Up, Roots Revival and Cool Summer Reggae.