Aswad

Aswad are a British reggae group, noted for adding strong R&B and soul influences to the reggae sound. They have been performing since the mid-1970s, and have released 21 albums. Their UK hit singles include the number one "Don't Turn Around" (1988) and "Shine" (1994). "Aswad" is Arabic for "black". They are three-time Grammy Award nominees.

History

The members of Aswad are UK descendants of immigrants from the Caribbean. They attended John Kelly/Holland Park School. Aswad was formed in 1975 in the Ladbroke Grove area of West London.

The original members of Aswad were guitarist/vocalist Brinsley "Chaka B" Forde, drummer/vocalist Angus "Drummie Zeb" Gaye, lead guitarist/vocalist Donald "Dee" Griffiths, bassist George "Ras" Oban, and keyboardist Courtney "Khaki" Hemmings. Aswad were the backing band of Burning Spear's 1977 Live album, recorded at the Rainbow Theatre in London. Other contributors included Vin Gordon, and Karl Pitterson.

Initially, the band produced music in the roots reggae vein, with members contributing songs individually and with Forde acting as the band's principal songwriter. The band's dynamic soon began to change however. Shortly after the release of their self-titled debut album in 1976, Hemmings left and was replaced by Tony "Gad" Robinson (the only time in the band's history where a departing member would be officially replaced by an incoming musician). The band then released their second studio effort, Hulet, in 1978, before George Oban ( who later played with Burning Spear and African Headcharge ) departed the band in 1979, with Robinson taking over the position of bassist as well as continuing his role as keyboardist. The following year saw Griffiths depart, leaving Forde as the band's sole guitarist. originally recorded by Tina Turner as a B-side to her "Typical Male" single. They followed this up with UK No. 11 hit "Give a Little Love",

Aswad underwent their first line-up change in sixteen years in 1996, when Forde departed the band for spiritual reasons, leaving Gaye as the only founding member. Once again, the remaining members opted not to seek to recruit a replacement musician, and thus Aswad became a duo of Gaye and Robinson. With the exception of a brief reunion with Forde in 2009 for the Island record label's 50th-anniversary celebrations, the band's line-up remained the same until Angus Gaye’s death on 2 September 2022, aged 62.

Aswad released their final studio album to date in 2009, with City Lock. They released the singles "What Is Love?" and "Do That Thing" in the same year.

Aswad toured the UK in Spring 2025, including playing at the Lambeth Country Show, at Butlins resorts, Bournemouth's Reggae Weekender, and with Ali Campbell's UB40 at Colchester Castle.

Members

;Current members

Tony "Gad" Robinson - bass, keyboards, vocals (1976-present)

;Former members

Brinsley "Dan" Forde – vocals, lead & rhythm guitars (1975–1996, 2009)
Angus "Drummie Zeb" Gaye – vocals, drums (1975–2022; his death)
Donald "Dee" Griffiths – lead guitars (1975–1980)
Courtney "Khaki" Hemmings – keyboards (1975–1976)
George "Ras" Oban – bass (1975–1979)

;Additional musicians

Stanley Andrew – lead guitars, rhythm guitars, acoustic guitars, vocals
Clifton "Bigga" Morrison – vocals, keyboards, melodica
Martin "Tatta" Augustine – lead guitars
John Kpiaye – guitars
Jimmy "Senyah" Haynes – lead guitars, acoustic guitars
Michael "Bammie" Rose – saxophone
Vin "Trommie" Gordon – trombone
Eddie "Tan Tan" Thornton – trumpet
Carlton "Bubblers" Ogilvie – keyboards
Jimmy "J-Slice" Neath – trumpet

Paul Garred – guitars
Michael Martin – keyboards
Patrick Tenyue – trumpet
Henry 'Buttons' Tenyue – trombone
Brian Edwards – saxophone
Trevor “T-BoNe” Jones – trombone
Perry "Lion" Melius – drums
Kenrick Rowe – drums
Paul Slowley – drums

History

Members

Discography

Production work

See also

References

External links