Aswad

Aswad are one of the most influential reggae bands to come out of England, and their blend of roots reggae, dub, pop, and R&B elements blazed a trail that countless artists would follow. They first got together in Ladbroke Grove, London, in 1974, and released their self-titled debut album two years later with Brinsley “Dan” Forde (vocals, guitar), George Oban (bass), Angus “Drummie Zeb” Gaye (vocals, drums), Courtney Hemmings (keyboards), and Donald Griffiths (guitar, vocals). Soon Hemmings left and Oban was replaced by Tony “Gad” Robinson. Aswad started out with a strictly roots-oriented sound, but they started working dub into the mix as early as 1982’s A New Chapter of Dub before dipping into dancehall flavors as well. They found their biggest success in 1988 with the No. 1 British single “Don’t Turn Around” from their Distant Thunder album, but plenty more UK hits would follow. The band continued rocking into the 2020s, with Gaye and Robinson at the helm.