Aswad

In terms of both broad appeal and lasting presence on the scene, Aswad ranks among Britain's most accomplished reggae acts. Views on the quality of their recordings have long remained split. While certain observers praise the earliest phase of their output as the strongest British roots reggae ever committed to tape, beginning with the self-titled 1975 debut that portrayed the difficulties faced by Jamaican newcomers in the strange and frequently unwelcoming setting of 1970s London, others regard the later move into pop territory as more singular and inventive, particularly once the band embraced funk and soul textures that yielded the U.K. chart-topper "Don't Turn Around." In any case, the ensemble's capacity to adjust to evolving circumstances, whether fresh stylistic currents or alterations in personnel, proved the key factor sustaining their career across multiple decades.

Formed in Ladbroke Grove, West London, during 1975, the group took its name from the Arabic word for "black." The original lineup comprised five members: lead vocalist and guitarist Brinsley "Dan" Forde, a Guyana native and former child actor on the BBC; drummer and vocalist Angus "Drummie Zeb" Gaye; bassist George "Ras Levi" Oban; guitarist Donald "Benjamin" Griffiths; and keyboardist Courtney Hemmings. Their approach blended influences from the outset, fusing soul, jazz, and funk ingredients with hard-edged roots reggae, lovers rock, and dub. In 1976 Aswad became the first British reggae band to secure a contract with a major label, signing to Island Records. That same year saw the release of their debut single, the enduring "Back to Africa," which reached the top of the U.K. reggae singles chart. The self-titled debut album, a set documenting the lives of London's West Indian immigrant population, arrived shortly afterward and brought further success via "Three Babylon." By then Aswad had built sufficient standing that visiting Jamaican artists such as Bob Marley, Burning Spear, Dennis Brown, and Black Uhuru regularly enlisted them as backing musicians.

After Hemmings departed, Tony "Gad" Robinson stepped in. The band switched to the independent Grove label in 1978, issuing the single "It's Not Our Wish" before delivering their second album, the more roots-oriented Hulet, which Island later licensed. Oban exited in 1980, prompting Gad to move from keyboards to bass. That year also saw Forde appear in the film Babylon, whose soundtrack included the Aswad staple "Warrior Charge." Toward the close of 1980 the group signed a major deal with CBS, resulting in the 1981 release New Chapter, a warmly received record marked by bright, soul-tinged arrangements that bridged classic and contemporary elements. Singles such as "Love Fire" and the non-album track "Finger Gun Style" enjoyed modest traction, yet the album fell short of the commercial breakthrough anticipated by both the band and label, as interest in reggae sparked by the punk era faded and promotion remained limited. The 1982 follow-up Not Satisfied pared back the sound but likewise met restrained sales, leading to the end of the CBS association.

Before 1982 concluded, Aswad put out the standalone single "Roots Rockin'" on their own Simba imprint and then rejoined Island via the Mango subsidiary. The concert recording Live and Direct appeared in 1983, by which time the core lineup had shrunk to the trio of Forde, Gad, and Zeb, supported by a horn section that included saxophonist Michael "Bami" Rose and trumpeter Eddie "Tan Tan" Thornton. Their next studio effort, 1984's Rebel Souls, delivered the first British pop-chart entries in some time with "Chasing for the Breeze" and the Toots & the Maytals cover "54-46 That's My Number." The 1986 album To the Top found them experimenting with dancehall textures on the singles "Bubblin'" and "Kool Noh."

After achieving a measure of crossover traction, Aswad revamped their style for the more commercial 1988 album Distant Thunder. This lighter, pop-oriented effort, leaning closer to mainstream R&B, reached the British Top Ten, propelled by the lead single, a reggae interpretation of the Luther Ingram soul classic "Don't Turn Around," which ascended to number one on the U.K. pop charts. Both the album and single also charted in the U.S. R&B Top 50, and Ace of Base later scored an international hit with their own version of "Don't Turn Around" in 1994. The follow-up single "Give a Little Love" peaked just outside the British Top Ten, while the non-album track "On and On" entered the Top 20 in 1989. Seeking to build on that momentum, the band recorded Too Wicked in Jamaica with producer Gussie Clarke and released it in 1990. Despite a guest appearance from dancehall artist Shabba Ranks, numerous club-oriented rhythms, and a minor hit in "Next to You," the album did not replicate the sales of its predecessor.

Aswad resurfaced in 1994 with Rise and Shine, which restored their profile in Britain thanks to the Top Five single "Shine" and secured their first Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album. The 1997 release Big Up drew milder attention, whereas Roots Revival in 1999 marked a partial return to earlier material, encompassing several rocksteady covers and guest vocals from Algerian rai performer Cheb Mami. Forde exited in 2000, leaving Gad and Zeb to continue as a duo. Angus Gaye, known as Drummie Zeb, passed away on September 2, 2022, at the age of 62.