Aswad
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1975 in Ladbroke Grove, West London, UK |
| Founder | Brinsley "Chaka B" Forde, Angus "Drummie Zeb" Gaye, Donald "Dee" Griffiths, George "Ras" Oban, Courtney "Khaki" Hemmings |
| Defunct | 2022 |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Tony "Gad" Robinson, Brinsley "Chaka B" Forde, Angus "Drummie Zeb" Gaye |
| Products | Reggae music albums and singles |
Number of employees | Band members and supporting musicians |
Aswad is a UK-based reggae ensemble recognized for integrating prominent elements of R&B and soul into their reggae sound. Since their inception in the mid-1970s, they have produced 21 albums, featuring UK chart-toppers like the 1988 number one single "Don't Turn Around" and the 1994 hit "Shine." The band's name, "Aswad," translates to "black" in Arabic. They have earned three nominations for the Grammy Award.
History
Established in 1975 in Ladbroke Grove, West London, Aswad's founding members consisted of guitarist and vocalist Brinsley "Chaka B" Forde, drummer and vocalist Angus "Drummie Zeb" Gaye, lead guitarist and vocalist Donald "Dee" Griffiths, bassist George "Ras" Oban, and keyboardist Courtney "Khaki" Hemmings. Early in their career, they acted as the backing band on Burning Spear's 1977 Live release. Their initial focus was on roots reggae, with lyrics reflecting the realities faced by black youth in Britain, highlighted by tracks such as "Three Babylon," "Natural Progression," and the jazz-inspired instrumental "Warrior Charge."
Following Hemmings' departure after their debut album, Tony "Gad" Robinson joined the group and later took over bass responsibilities after Oban left in 1979. Griffiths exited in 1980, making Forde the sole guitarist. The band's sound evolved toward a more mainstream reggae style with releases like New Chapter (1981) and its dub version A New Chapter of Dub, both produced by Michael Reuben Campbell. Their 1982 album Not Satisfied along with the live dub record Live and Direct (1983) helped cement their status within the UK reggae scene. The song "Love Fire" became notable as the rhythm track behind Dennis Brown's "Promised Land."
Mainstream recognition came with hits such as "Don't Turn Around", which reached number one on UK charts in 1988, followed by "Give a Little Love" peaking at number 11, and a reggae rendition of "Best of My Love." In 1989, they contributed to Greenpeace's Rainbow Warriors compilation and performed at Wembley Stadium alongside Cliff Richard. Their 1994 single "Shine" achieved widespread success across Europe, while their 1998 cover of The Police's "Invisible Sun", featuring Sting, broadened their global audience.
Aswad has toured extensively around the world, playing prominent venues including London's Royal Albert Hall, Jamaica's Reggae Sunsplash, plus concerts throughout West Africa, Israel, and Japan.
In 1996, Forde left the band due to spiritual reasons, leaving Gaye and Robinson as a duo. Apart from a brief reunion in 2009 for Island Records' 50th anniversary celebration, this lineup persisted until Gaye passed away in September 2022. Their latest studio album is City Lock (2009), which was promoted with singles like "What Is Love?" and "Do That Thing."
The group maintained an active touring schedule into Spring 2025, appearing at events such as the Lambeth Country Show, Butlins holiday resorts, Bournemouth's Reggae Weekender, and performing alongside Ali Campbell's UB40 at Colchester Castle.
Members
- Present lineup
- Tony "Gad" Robinson – bass, keyboards, vocals (1976–present)
- Past members
- Brinsley "Dan" Forde – vocals, lead and rhythm guitars (1975–1996, 2009)
- Angus "Drummie Zeb" Gaye – vocals, drums (1975–2022; deceased)
- Donald "Dee" Griffiths – lead guitar (1975–1980)
- Courtney "Khaki" Hemmings – keyboards (1975–1976)
- George "Ras" Oban – bass guitar (1975–1979)
- Supporting musicians
- Stanley Andrew – lead, rhythm, acoustic guitars, vocals
- Clifton "Bigga" Morrison – vocals, keyboards, melodica
- Martin "Tatta" Augustine – lead guitar
- John Kpiaye – guitar
- Jimmy "Senyah" Haynes – lead and 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 – guitar
- 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
Production work
- Remix of "Don't Turn Around" by Ace of Base (reached No.5 in UK charts)
- "Classical Gas" by Vanessa Mae (peaked at #41 UK)
- "Missing You" by Janet Kay
See also
External links
- Articles with short description
- Contemporary R&B musical groups from London
- British reggae musical groups
- Black British musical groups
- Reggae fusion groups
- Island Records artists
- Gut Records artists
- Musical groups established in 1975
- Musical groups disestablished in 2022
- 1975 establishments in England
- 2022 disestablishments in England