Aswad

Aswad are one of the most successful and enduring British reggae bands of all time, formed in the Ladbroke Grove area of West London in 1975. The group — whose name means "black" in Arabic — emerged from the vibrant West Indian community of West London and quickly established themselves as a powerful force in UK roots reggae. Core members Brinsley Forde, Tony Gad, and Drummie Zeb became the heart of a band that would span decades and genres.

Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, Aswad built a formidable reputation with a series of roots reggae albums that combined Jamaican rhythms with a distinctly British perspective. Albums like "Aswad" (1976), "Hulet" (1978), and "New Chapter" (1981) are considered classics of the UK reggae scene. Their live performances were legendary, blending tight musicianship with raw spiritual energy.

In 1988, Aswad achieved mainstream chart success with their cover of "Don't Turn Around," which reached number one in the UK. This crossover success introduced them to a wider audience while they continued to record roots material for their core fanbase. Their influence on British reggae, lovers rock, and the broader UK black music scene is immeasurable, and they remain active and respected to this day.