Aswad (band)

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Aswad
Background information
Origin English flag London, England
Genre(s) Reggae
Years active 1975–present
Label(s) PROTV
Members
Martin Augustine
Brinsley Forde
Drummie Zeb
Paul Garred
Donald Griffiths
Jimmy Haynes
Clifton Morrison
Tony Robinson

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.

Contents

[edit] History

Aswad are a #1 UK reggae band that have been dubbing, rubbing and reggae-ing, indeed polishing their act since the early 1970s, having released 21 albums.

As naturalised children of immigrants from the Caribbean, 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.

The original members of Aswad were Brinsley Forde, George Oban, Drummie Zeb and Donald Griffiths. Courtney Hemmings was a frequent contributor in the 1970s, including as part of the backing band on Burning Spear's 1979 Live album, recorded at the Rainbow Theater in London.

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). "Fire", the opening track gained wide recognition when it was used as the backing rhythm for Dennis Brown's anthemic "Promised Land".

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 was later covered by Ace of Base; and a reggae flavoured rendition of "Best of My Love", first popularised and written by The Eagles. Another track was the upbeat 1998 remake of The Police's "Invisible Sun", performed with Sting.

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

[edit] Band members

[edit] Musicians

Keyboard players

Horn Section

  • TanTan - Eddie "papa" Edward Thorton, trumpet. still turns up at the studio with bicycle clips in golden years
  • Brian - Saxophone
  • Trevor - Brian's brother on Trombone

Drums and percussion

  • Lion - Prerry Melius - drummer

[edit] Production

  • Ace of base remix of "Don't turn around" (#10 hit in UK)
  • Vanessa Mae - Classical gas (top 30 in UK)
  • ((Janet Kay)) - Missing you, and 2+ albums after

[edit] Discography

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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