Aswad (band)

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Aswad
Origin	West London, England
Years active	1975-present
Genres	Reggae
Labels	PROTV
Members	Martin Augustine Brinsley Forde Angus Gaye Paul Garred Donald Griffiths Jimmy Haynes Clifton Morrison Tony Robinson
Website(s)	None

Aswad ("Black" in Arabic) is a long lasting British reggae group, that is noted for adding strong R&B and soul influences to the reggae sound.

1 History
2 Band members
3 Musicians
4 Production
5 Discography
6 See also
7 External links

[edit] History

Aswad are a #1 UK reggae band that have been dubbing, rubbing and reaggaing, indeed polishing their act, since early the 70's . They have released 21 albums and have performed live for more years.

As naturalised children of immigrants from the Caribeean, part of the aftermath of the war, the "kids" were moved to London. They attended a local high school near Ladbroke Grove, and various junior schools as Tan Tan children of immigrants from the Caribbean based in West London in 1975.

They soon became one the UK's top reggae bands with typical songs of the time about the oppression of black youth, such as "Three Babylon" and "It's Not Our Wish", and the powerful jazz-influenced instrumental "Warrior Charge" (full versions of these available on the Showcase album).

Aswad gained a wider audience with the polished New Chapter album (1981). Their Live and Direct album, recorded at the Notting Hill Carnival in 1983 captures the atmosphere of their performance, perhaps "the" essential live reggae album of that era.

Among Aswad's catalogue of hits is the classic "Don't Turn Around", a big pop hit in 1988. This track was originally a B-side to Tina Turner's hit "Typical Male", which has also been covered by artists such as Ace of Base; and a reggae flavoured rendition of "Best of My Love", first popularised and written by The Eagles.

The band also hold the distinction of having played with each one of the ex-Wailers.

[edit] Band members

Martin Augustine aka "Tatta" - Lead guitar
Brinsley Forde aka "Dan" (born 1952, Guyana) - Vocals, Rhythm guitar
Drummie Zeb aka (born 1959, London, United Kingdom) - Vocals, Drums
Donald Griffiths (born 1954, Jamaica)
Jimmy Haynes aka "Senyah" - Lead guitar, Acoustic guitar
Clifton Morrison aka "Bigga" - Vocals, Keyboards, Melodica
George Oban - Left in 1980
Tony Gad (reggae) - real name Tony Robinson born [1957]] in London. Joined in 1980 - Vocals, Bass guitar

[edit] Musicians

Not in any specific order

Keyboard players
- Bubblers - original articl yoot
- Michael Martin - also performed with the Spice Girls and Vanessa Mae

Horn Section
- TanTan - Eddie "papa" - Edward Thorton trumpet. still turns up at the studio with bicycle clips in golden years
- Brian - Saxaphone player
- Trevor - Brians brother on Trombone

Drums and percussion
- Lion - Prerry Melius - drummer

[edit] Production

Aswad also had a production and style, this was always manifested through the drummie as tony, both as drum and base.. Ace of base remix of "Dont' turn around" (no 10 uk) Vanessa May - Classicas gas (top 30 UK) ((Janet Kay)) - Missing you, and 2+ albums after