Aswad
Aswad ("Black" in Arabic) are a long-lasting British reggae group, noted fo… Read Full Bio ↴Aswad ("Black" in Arabic) are a long-lasting British reggae group, noted for adding strong R&B, soul, and soca influences to the reggae sound. They have been performing since the early 1970s, and have released a total of twenty-one albums.
As naturalised children of immigrants from the Caribbean, part of the aftermath of World War II, the children were moved to London. They attended a local high school near Ladbroke Grove, and various junior schools as Tan Tan children of immigrants from the Caribbean around West London in 1975. Vocalist Brinsley Forde had a brief career on television on the British children's television series "Here Come the Double Deckers" in 1970-71.
The original members of Aswad were Brinsley Forde, George Oban, Drummie Zeb, and Donald Griffiths. Courtney Hemmings was a frequent contributor in the 1970s, including as part of the backing band on Burning Spear's 1979 Live album, recorded at the Rainbow Theatre in London.
They became one the U.K.'s top reggae bands with songs, typical of the time, about the oppression of black youth, such as "Three Babylon" and "It's Not Our Wish", and the powerful jazz-influenced instrumental "Warrior Charge".
The band gained a wider audience with the New Chapter album (1981). "Fire", the opening track gained wide recognition when it was used as the backing rhythm for Dennis Brown's "Promised Land."
Among Aswad's catalogue of hits is "Don't Turn Around", a pop hit in 1988. This track was originally a B-side to Tina Turner's hit "Typical Male", which was later covered by Ace of Base; and a reggae flavoured rendition of "Best of My Love", first popularised and written by The Eagles. Their next hit, Shine, was released in 1994. Another track was the upbeat 1998 remake of The Police's "Invisible Sun", performed with Sting.
The band also hold the distinction of having played with each one of the ex-Wailers.
Band members
* Martin Augustine aka "Tatta" - Lead guitar
* Brinsley Forde aka "Dan" (born 16 October 1952, Guyana) - Vocals, Rhythm guitar
* Drummie Zeb aka Angus Gaye (born 1959, London, United Kingdom) - Vocals, Drums
* Donald Griffiths (born 1954, Jamaica)
* Jimmy Haynes aka "Senyah" - Lead guitar, Acoustic guitar
* Clifton Morrison aka "Bigga" - Vocals, Keyboards, Melodica
* George Oban - Left in 1980 - Bass guitar
* Tony Gad - real name Dennis Anthony Robinson, born 11 November 1957, London. Joined in 1980 - Vocals, Bass guitar
Discography
* 1976: Aswad - Mango Records
* 1978: Hulet - Mango Records
* 1981: New Chapter - Columbia Records
* 1981: Showcase - Mango Records
* 1982: A New Chapter of Dub - Mango Records
* 1982: Not Satisfied - Columbia Records
* 1983: Live and Direct - Mango Records
* 1984: Rebel Souls - Mango Records
* 1986: To the Top - Simba
* 1988: Jah Shaka Meets Aswad in Addis Ababa Studio - Jah Shaka
* 1988: Distant Thunder - Mango Records
* 1988: Renaissance - 20 Crucial Tracks - Stylus
* 1989: Aswad: Crucial Tracks
* 1990: Next to You - Alex
* 1990: Too Wicked - Mango Records
* 1993: Firesticks - Alex
* 1994: Rise and Shine - Rhino Entertainment
* 1995: Rise and Shine Again! - Mesa
* 1995: Dub: The Next Frontier - Mesa
* 1997: Big Up - Atlantic Records
* 1999: Roots Revival - Ark 21
* 2002: Cool Summer Reggae
As naturalised children of immigrants from the Caribbean, part of the aftermath of World War II, the children were moved to London. They attended a local high school near Ladbroke Grove, and various junior schools as Tan Tan children of immigrants from the Caribbean around West London in 1975. Vocalist Brinsley Forde had a brief career on television on the British children's television series "Here Come the Double Deckers" in 1970-71.
The original members of Aswad were Brinsley Forde, George Oban, Drummie Zeb, and Donald Griffiths. Courtney Hemmings was a frequent contributor in the 1970s, including as part of the backing band on Burning Spear's 1979 Live album, recorded at the Rainbow Theatre in London.
They became one the U.K.'s top reggae bands with songs, typical of the time, about the oppression of black youth, such as "Three Babylon" and "It's Not Our Wish", and the powerful jazz-influenced instrumental "Warrior Charge".
The band gained a wider audience with the New Chapter album (1981). "Fire", the opening track gained wide recognition when it was used as the backing rhythm for Dennis Brown's "Promised Land."
Among Aswad's catalogue of hits is "Don't Turn Around", a pop hit in 1988. This track was originally a B-side to Tina Turner's hit "Typical Male", which was later covered by Ace of Base; and a reggae flavoured rendition of "Best of My Love", first popularised and written by The Eagles. Their next hit, Shine, was released in 1994. Another track was the upbeat 1998 remake of The Police's "Invisible Sun", performed with Sting.
The band also hold the distinction of having played with each one of the ex-Wailers.
Band members
* Martin Augustine aka "Tatta" - Lead guitar
* Brinsley Forde aka "Dan" (born 16 October 1952, Guyana) - Vocals, Rhythm guitar
* Drummie Zeb aka Angus Gaye (born 1959, London, United Kingdom) - Vocals, Drums
* Donald Griffiths (born 1954, Jamaica)
* Jimmy Haynes aka "Senyah" - Lead guitar, Acoustic guitar
* Clifton Morrison aka "Bigga" - Vocals, Keyboards, Melodica
* George Oban - Left in 1980 - Bass guitar
* Tony Gad - real name Dennis Anthony Robinson, born 11 November 1957, London. Joined in 1980 - Vocals, Bass guitar
Discography
* 1976: Aswad - Mango Records
* 1978: Hulet - Mango Records
* 1981: New Chapter - Columbia Records
* 1981: Showcase - Mango Records
* 1982: A New Chapter of Dub - Mango Records
* 1982: Not Satisfied - Columbia Records
* 1983: Live and Direct - Mango Records
* 1984: Rebel Souls - Mango Records
* 1986: To the Top - Simba
* 1988: Jah Shaka Meets Aswad in Addis Ababa Studio - Jah Shaka
* 1988: Distant Thunder - Mango Records
* 1988: Renaissance - 20 Crucial Tracks - Stylus
* 1989: Aswad: Crucial Tracks
* 1990: Next to You - Alex
* 1990: Too Wicked - Mango Records
* 1993: Firesticks - Alex
* 1994: Rise and Shine - Rhino Entertainment
* 1995: Rise and Shine Again! - Mesa
* 1995: Dub: The Next Frontier - Mesa
* 1997: Big Up - Atlantic Records
* 1999: Roots Revival - Ark 21
* 2002: Cool Summer Reggae
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Aswad Lyrics
03 set them free Earlier this morning While Reading my newspaper Something go…
2 Makes 1 I never thought that I would say this But now I…
54 Stick it up, mister Can you hear what I'm saying…
54-46 (Was My Number) (Frederick "Toots" Hibbert) Stick it up, mister! Can you he…
54-46 Was My Number Stick it up, mister Can you hear what I'm saying…
African Children Many African children, Living in a concrete situation Afri…
Back To Africa Move ya.. back to Africa! Move ya.. back to Africa! Open…
Beauty's Only Skin Deep So in love, sad as could be 'Cause a pretty face…
Behold I WAS TRAVELING UP THE MOUNTAINS ONE DAY AND SUDDENLY I…
Best Of My Love Every night I'm lying in bed Holdin' you close in my dream…
Can't Stand The Pressure Why standeth in the shadows And bow your head Life is for…
Candles Candles burning in the night Just like a child's life…
Caution Wo-wo-wo-wo-wo-wo-wo-wo-wo-wo-wo-wo-wo-wo-wo-wo. Wo-wo-wo-wo…
Concrete Slaveship In every man heart, the truth must be strong So in…
Dancehall Mood Yo big up the dancehall crew Im in a tew tew Gonna…
Dancing In The Moonlight We get it on most every night When that old moon…
Danger In Your Eyes Maybe you are leaving Or maybe you're just lonely Cause I kn…
Day By Day Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, well Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, alright…
Didn I didn't know at the time what you were saying…
Don Whoa, whoa, whoa, oh boy If you wanna leave, baby I won't…
Don't Turn Around (Live) (I will survive without you) (Don't tell me that you won't…
Dont Turn Around Whoa, whoa, whoa, oh boy If you wanna leave, baby I won't…
Down The Line If it's you got her If it's you If it's you got…
Drum & Bass Line In a different style Dub plate spinning all the while What t…
Dub Fire There is a land, far far away Where there's no night,…
Feelings Feelings, nothing more than feelings, Trying to forget my f…
Fire There is a land, far far away Where there's no night,…
follow '99 Beatles, The Beatles for Sale I′ll follow the sun One day yo…
Freedom Street Let's not a quarrel, let's not fight Let's get together, we…
Gave You My Love I met a lot of girls before I knew you…
Ghetto In The Sky Many African children Living in a concrete situation African…
Girl That girl has got to know That girl has got to…
Girl's Got To Know That girl has got to know That girl has got to…
Give A Little Love Living in this crazy world, so caught up in the…
Give Me a Reason Give me, give me a reason, give me, any old…
Good Thing Going Oooh see that girl she does something to my chemistry And…
Gotta Find A Way I gotta find a way, I gotta find a…
He Gave The Sun To Shine Yellow sun show out your face, Injustice is in this…
Hooked On You Baby (You that I love), I'm hooked on you ‘Cause I…
I A Rebel Soul I a rebel soul Give me lite to briten up…
I Can See Clearly Now I can see clearly now, the rain is gone I can…
I Don't Turn Around If you want to leave I won't beg you to stay And…
I Need Your Love In the summer time she's there my love And she's really…
I Will Keep On Loving You Yes I will you know that I will Yes I…
Ina Your Rights Ina your rights can never be wrong In every man…
Invisible Sun One, two, three, four, five, six Oh oh oh oh oh…
Judgement Day We've got to step away from here (Step away, step away…
Just A Little Herb It's a just a little herb, oooi It's a just a…
Lay My Troubles Down Oooh Wow-hohoh, Wow-hohoh, Wow-hohoh Yeah let me tell ya Wow…
Lifted I'd really love to be alone without all the Ache and…
Love Fire Oh but I pray thee give me one thing Give…
Mercy Mercy Me Woo ah mercy, mercy me Ah, things ain't what they used…
My Love Every night I'm lying in bed Holdin' you close in my dreams …
Natural Aggression [Chorus] Natural progression [Repeat: x4] Necessity, …
Natural Progression [Chorus] Natural progression [Repeat: x4] Necessity, The …
Natural Progression (Remastered) Natural progression Natural progression Natural progression …
Need Your Love In the summer time she's there my love And she's really…
Need Your Love (Each And Every Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, well Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, alright…
Need Your Love (Each and Every Day) Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, well Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, alright Na, na,…
Next To You Oooh! Oooh Oooh, oooh, ooohooohooo I, I've waited suc…
Night Nurse Tell her try her best just to make it quick Woman…
No More Living A Lie No more living a lie identify can't you Feel it now…
No No No Feelin' better Now that we're through. Feelin' better, 'caus…
Not Guilty Not guilty For getting in your way While you're trying to …
Not Guilty (Live) Whoa-oh why Leave him alone, he is a Rastaman Leave him alo…
Not Satisfied No, not satisfied no, oh no Situation is so dread people…
Nuclear Soldier I don't wanna see no nuclear soldier I don't wanna see…
Oh Jah Hear what me tell you Hear what me say hey No jah…
On And On Down in Jamaica They got lots of pretty women Steal your m…
Pass The Cup Oh I said it's just a little cup So won't you…
Pickin' Up Peace and unity That′s what we want in the world community Y…
Push You′re crying on my shoulder This time you say it's over So…
Reality Sometimes life so hard but don't give up you can…
Rebel I a rebel soul I a rebel soul I a rebel soul I…
Roots Rockin Roots... Roots rocking everyday I and a Zion daughter …
Roots Rocking Roots... Roots rocking everyday I and a Zion daughter is…
Roxanne Roxanne You don't have to put on the red light Those days…
Set Them Free Get on it! (Set them free...) (Set them free...) (Set t…
Shine Ooh! Ah! ooh ooh ooh ooh ah Ooh! Ah! ooh ooh…
Shine (Beatmasters 12" Mix) Ooh aah ooh ooh ooh ooh aah Ooh aah ooh ooh…
Shine (Beatmasters 7 Ooh aah ooh ooh ooh ooh aah Ooh aah ooh ooh…
Shine (Beatmasters 7" Mix) Ooh aah ooh ooh ooh ooh aah Ooh aah ooh ooh…
Shy Guy I don't want no fly guy I just want a shy…
Smile You lost it, you sold it, you bought it, you…
Smokey Blues it's Saturday, and now it's time to rave I've got a…
Smokey Blues (12" mix) it's Saturday, and now it's time to rave I've got a…
So Good Now that I found you girl, we're gonna make it…
Sons Of Criminals Sons of criminals, found wanting Dem wanting Jah Jah mercy!…
Stir It Up Stir it up; little darlin, stir it up. come on,…
Tradition Tradition, tradition! Tradition! Tradition, tradition! Trad…
Tuff We Tuff Tuff we tuff Nuff it nuff All the pains We're…
Tuffist Nuff it nuff All the pains We're feeling Tuff we tuff Nuff i…
Warriors Gary Numan Miscellaneous Warriors I fall Down No contro…
Ways Of The Lord The ways of the Lord are straight and narrow But…
Ways of the Lord (12" A - Extended Version) The ways of the Lord are straight and narrow But the…
Weather With You Walking 'round the room singing Stormy Weather At 57 Mount …
What I Know I rode a million times today Driven by my fears The devil…
What Is Love i love you whether or not you love me i love…
Woman WOMAN Woman, This isn't just a bedtime story Words of love…
Would I Lie To You Oh baby oh would I lie to you?? Look into my…
You Baby (You that I love), I'm hooked on you ‘Cause I…
You're No Good Feelin' better Now that we're through. Feelin' better, 'caus…
Your Recipe Girl, if it's love you're looking for Come on, my love…
You’re No Good Feelin' better Now that we're through. Feelin' better, 'caus…
Zion Revelation 1 "Jesus Christ, the faithful witness The firstbo…
Zion I How many times I've heard you say You want to see…
Mohamed A. Turay
on Old Fire Stick
WICKED TRUTH! JUST FOR YOU!