Randy's Rodeo
music that rocks, rolls, swings, and twangs
| Artist Index | Song Index | Radio | Home |
|
Music Reviews Special Features Information Support Me |
Sock it to me, Santa!  Britain
became a hotbed of reggae activity throughout the 50's and 60's due to immigration
from Jamaica and the enthusiasm of English fans - including future punks like
the Clash. Another result was the formation of
several fine roots reggae bands like Steel Pulse, UB40, and Aswad in
the 70's. As these groups matured and incorporated more non-Jamaican influences
(in effect, making the music their own), they generally got better. Aswad (which
means "black" in Arabic) is no exception. They started out flavoring
their reggae with a large dollop of jazz and funk, but they gradually became
a better seasoned, more classic-sounding group (albeit with a shiny pop veneer),
earning the respect of reggae fans worldwide. Luminaries such as Dennis Brown,
Black Uhuru and Bob Marley would employ Aswad as a backing group when they visited
England.
Aswad was the first British reggae band to be signed to a major label (Island Records subsidiary Mango). Roots conscious listeners think Aswad reached their zenith during this period, maturing and developing their own roots-heavy style over the course of two albums and a series of singles (see Showcase, 1981). Subsequently, Aswad jumped ship for giant CBS Records, and other fans treasure the two albums Aswad recorded for label as they struggled to integrate modern sounds (soul, pop, dancehall) into their music. Mainstream success proved elusive, however, until Aswad returned to Mango, eventually scoring a #1 British hit in 1989 with "Don't Turn Around." With that song and the accompanying album, Distant Thunder, Aswad realized their vision, seamlessly grafting a smooth pop sheen onto rough-hewn roots reggae. [close]
Sadly, Roots Rocking does not cover Aswad's two CBS albums (New Chapter and Not Satisfied), but it contains great live versions of a few highlights ("Not Satisfied, "African Children") as well as non-LP, 12-inch versions of several Island hits. Mango's Crucial Tracks, while sketchy, is an economical substitute. Regardless, three mid-80's albums - New Chapter (1981), Rebel Souls (1984), and To the Top (1986) - are generally considered to be Aswad's best and are well worth seeking out on their own. Aswad remains active. They earned a Grammy nomination for 1994's Rise And Shine, and 1999's Roots Revival - featuring covers of roots classics - was seen by many as a major comeback. [top of page]
Your witty comments, impertinent questions, helpful suggestions, and angry denials are altogether encouraged. Submit feedback via email; submissions will be edited and posted at my discretion. |
|
|||||||||
Navigation Artist Index Song Index Randy's Radio Home Top Of Page Music Reviews Alternative Blues Books Christmas Classic Rock Country Jazz Lounge Special Features History Of Randy's Rodeo Sex Pistols Motown Records Halloween Valentine's Day Information About Me Feedback Links User's Guide Support Me Amazon iTunes Sheet Music Plus © 1999-2024 Randall Anthony, www.hipchristmas.com and www.randysrodeo.com
|
|||||||||||
Visit my other website, www.hipchristmas.com
Selected Aswad Albums
Essential Aswad Songs
Aswad On The Web
Feedback
