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
Back To Africa
Aswad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Move ya.. back to Africa!
Open your eyes
And you will see
A far off land
For you and me
A place
Where we'll be free
Once again
So we have to
Move ya.. back to Africa!
Hear what dem say!
Move ya.. (got to) back to Africa!
Got to leave
These critical states
We got to get out
Before it's too late
Free ourselves
From all persecutions
Got to get free
From the wicked Babylon
So we have to
Move ya.. back to Africa!
Hear what dem say!
Move ya.. (got to) back to Africa!
That's where we come from!
(..)
So we'll have to
Move ya.. back to Africa!
Move ya.. (got to move ya) back to Africa!
Hear what dem say!
Now you've seen your destiny
It's time to forget
Past misery
Lord when we get there
We're gonna fill our hearts
Fill our hearts with joy
Move ya.. back to Africa!
Move ya.. back to Africa!
(..)
Back to Africa!
Back to Africa!
The lyrics to Aswad's "Back to Africa" are a call to move back to Africa, the motherland of black people. The song starts with a call to open one's eyes and see the far-off land of Africa, a place where they will be free once again. The song references persecution and the need to escape from the wicked "Babylon," a reference to western civilization which is seen as a place of oppression for black people. The song urges people to leave the critical states and to free themselves from all persecutions before it's too late.
The idea of going back to Africa has long been a theme in black culture, from Marcus Garvey's Back to Africa movement in the early 20th century to the recent surge of interest in DNA testing and tracing African ancestry. The song is advocating for a realization of heritage and the importance of returning to one's ancestral home to find true freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Open your eyes
Start paying attention to your surroundings
And you will see
You will discover
A far off land
A land that is distant
For you and me
That belongs to both of us
Africa is her name
This far off land is called Africa
A place
A location
Where we'll be free
Where we will have liberty
Once again
Like we used to be
So we have to
We are required to
Hear what dem say!
Listen to what others are saying
Got to leave
We need to depart
These critical states
These problematic regions
We got to get out
We must leave
Before it's too late
Before the situation gets worse
Free ourselves
Liberate ourselves
From all persecutions
From all forms of oppression
Got to get free
We must secure our freedom
From the wicked Babylon
From the corrupt and oppressive society we live in
That's where we come from!
That's our place of origin!
Now you've seen your destiny
Now you have a better understanding of your future
It's time to forget
It's time to stop recalling
Past misery
Past sorrow and suffering
Lord when we get there
O God, when we arrive there
We're gonna fill our hearts
We will satisfy our hearts
Fill our hearts with joy
Satisfy our hearts with happiness
Back to Africa!
Return to Africa!
Contributed by Hunter B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@nana-shikawilson7384
This my grandfather playing the percussion’s in this song stirring up our minds to evolve into unstoppable beings for the greater good🙏
@awjm
Nice. Tell him we love his stuff.
@theejkidd
Grandpop and his band mates jammin, tell him that!
@patrickhepburn50
True true, what an honour!
@gustavo10912
Coollll!!!!!
@Higher_Sun_Highzak
Maximum raspect
@markchampagnie9401
Condolences to the ASWAD Family.... From a nephew of one of the members of JAVA SOUND system NW10 Kensal Rise....God bless u all...ASWAD played by the Number ONE..King champion Sound in the whole wide world...SHAKA SOUND... kapppish 🇬🇧🇯🇲❤️💯
@jackiebrown7229
White, freckled redhead from Scotland who love this. Peace and Love to one and all! If only....
@armandkoga4162
Reggae is for everyone
@gnarlybean2434
I’m from Scotland as well and this is a great song