Aswad: The Best in Reggae Music

Aswad is a British reggae band, noted for their strong Rastafarian following. The group has been performing since the mid-1970s, when they formed as a backing band for Dennis Bovell’s Matumbi.

About Aswad

Aswad is a British reggae band, noted for their strong Rastafarian following. The band has been performing since the mid-1970s, and has released a number of successful albums. If you’re a fan of reggae music, then you’re sure to enjoy Aswad’s unique sound.

History

Aswad is a British reggae group, noted for achieving considerable success in the 1980s and early 1990s. The members of Aswad are UK’s most successful black music act, having sold over two million records worldwide.

The group was formed in 1974 by Daddy Gee (bass and vocals), Drummie Zeb (drums), and Andy Cunningham (guitar). They were soon joined by George Odametey on congas and Brinsley Forde on lead vocals and rhyming. Aswad developed their sound by smooth dub-reggae beats with pop hooks, maximizing appeal to white audiences while still maintaining enough roots reggae authenticity to satisfy purists. This helped them achieve considerable mainstream appeal and international recognition.

In 1988, they scored their first number one single with “Don’t Turn Around”, a cover of a hit by Tina Turner. The follow up single “Give A Little Love” also reached the UK Top Ten. Aswad also recorded the official anthem “One Love” for Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday celebrations. Other notable hits include “Crucial”, from the soundtrack to the film Blade, and “Shine”, which was used in a series of UK television advertisements for Honda cars.

Aswad continues to tour and record to this day, though original members Daddy Gee and Drummie Zeb have both left the group.

Members

Aswad is a British reggae group, noted for adding strong R&B, soul and pop influences to their music. The members of Aswad are UK-basedBlack British and Caribbean musicians.

The group’s longest-serving members are Brinsley Forde (lead vocals and rhythm guitar) and Tony Gad (bass guitar, keyboards and percussion), both of whom have been with the band since its formation in 1974. Forde and Gad were joined by George Oban (drums), Donald Griffiths (lead guitar) and Courtney Hemmings (keyboards) in 1976.

Hemmings left the band in 1996 and was replaced by Clifford Pluto Harewood. Harewood remained with the band until his death in 2008. Original drummer Oban returned to the band in 2010, replacing original member Gad, who had departed in 2007. Longest-serving member Forde is the only original member still with the band; all other members have either left of their own accord or have died.

Music

Aswad is a reggae band that was formed in London in 1974. The members of Aswad are Brinsley Forde, Angus “Drummie Zeb” Gaye, Tony “Gad” Robinson, and George “Buttons” Oban. Aswad has been one of the most successful reggae bands of all time. They have released nineteen studio albums, including three live albums. They have also won two Grammy Awards.

Albums

Aswad is a reggae band formed in London, England in 1974 by Britons of West Indian descent. They are best known for their hit singles “Warrior Charge”, “Give a Little Love”, and “Shine”. The band has had a long and successful career, with their first album release in 1976 and their most recent album release in 2018. In between, they have released a total of 19 albums, with both studio and live albums included.

Albums:
-Distant Thunder (1988)
– Too Wicked (1993)
– Rise & Shine (1996)
– Harmony (1998)
– Love Fire (2000)
– My Kinda Girl (2002)
– Homegrown (2004)

Songs

“Don’t Turn Around”
“Give a Little Love”
“On and On”
“Warrior Charge”
“Hold On”
“African Children”
“Love Fire”
“Firestick”

Aswad Today

Aswad is one of the most prominent and influential reggae bands of all time. They have been making music for over four decades and their sound has evolved greatly over that time. Aswad’s music is a mix of reggae, dub, and rocksteady. They are known for their tight harmonies, conscious lyrics, and rootsy sound. Aswad is still making music today and they are just as relevant as they ever were.

Recent activity

Aswad is a reggae band that was formed in London, England, in 1974. The band has undergone numerous lineup changes, but the core members have always been Brinsley Forde and Tony Gad. Aswad is best known for their hits “Don’t Turn Around” and “Shine,” both of which reached the top 10 in the UK.

Aswad has been active for over 40 years, and they show no signs of slowing down. In recent years, they have toured extensively throughout Europe and the Americas. They have also released a number of compilations and live albums. In 2017, they were awarded an MBE for their contributions to music.

Upcoming events

Aswad is playing at the Zone One performing arts venue on September 23rd.