Sound Systember 9

Aswad 

 

 

Next up I am sharing some Aswad. Aswad did not have their own Sound System. Aswad was a deeply soulful UK reggae outfit originally formed in 1975 in Ladbroke Grove area of West London. The original members of Aswad were guitarist/vocalist Brinsley "Chaka B" Forde, drummer/vocalist Angus "Drummie Zeb" Gaye, lead guitarist/vocalist Donald "Dee" Griffiths, bassist George "Ras" Oban, & keyboardist Courtney "Khaki" Hemmings.

Their music was unique to the UK, as they wrote songs that dealt with the issues surrounding the experiences of black youths growing up there, such as "Three Babylon". 

 

Aswad - Three Babylon 7", Island Records WIP6338, 1976.
all decryption codes in comments

Side A -
Three Babylon
Side B -
Ire Woman

 

 

 

 

I mentioned in the last section how Aswad would play "Warrior Charge" at midnight at Notting Hill & the bass would echo throughout the streets of West London. It was the 1980 release of this powerful jazz-influenced instrumental "Warrior Charge" b/w "Dub Charge" that really brought them to the attention of a larger audience.

 

Aswad - Warrior Charge, Island Records IPR2037, 1980.

Side A -
Warrior Charge
Side B -
Dub Charge

 

 

 

 

Tying Aswad more to Sound System culture, the song "Warrior Charge" was used in Franco Rosso's film Babylon, which I have mentioned several times already. Babylon follows a young reggae DJ Blue, played by Aswad guitarist & vocalist Brinsley Forde, of the Ital 1 Lion Sound System in Thatcher-era South London as he pursues his musical ambitions while also battling fiercely against the racism & xenophobia of employers, neighbours, police, & the National Front. 

 

Connecting them even tighter to the Sound System culture, on a warm Sunday in August 1983, Aswad played a live set in Meanwhile Gardens at the Notting Hill Carnival. The resulting live album Live & Direct is a record of that event. Their song "Love Fire" was used as the backing rhythm for Dennis Brown's "Promised Land", for another Sound System connection.

 

 

Aswad - Live & Direct, Island Records IMA6, 1983.

Not Guilty   
Not Satisfied   
Your Recipe   
Roots Rocking   
Drum & Bass Line   

Side 2 -
African Children   
Soca Rumba   
Rocker's Medley    
     a. Ease Up
     b. Your Love's Gotta Hold on Me
     c. Revolution
     d. Water Pumping
Love Fire

 

 

 

 

Their involvement with Sound System culture runs deeper still. They often performed live with Jah Shaka Sound System. They recorded In Addis Ababa Studio with Jah for his Jah Shaka Music label.

 

 

Jah Shaka meets Aswad - In Addis Ababa Studio, Jah Shaka Music SHAKALP850, 1985.

Side A -
Addis Ababa
Shaka Special
Aswad Special
Rockers Delight

Side B -
Drum Dub
Behold H.I.M.
Creation

 

 

 

 

One final favorite of mine from 1995, Dub: the Next Frontier. This one has been in heavy rotation with me since it first appeared on the horizon of outer space nearly 30 years ago. That's a lot of orbits. This IS Jah Music!

 

 

Aswad - Dub: the Next Frontier, Bubblin' Records BUBBCD3, 1995.

2 Makes 1    
Fever    
Warriors    
Shine    
Day by Day    
Deeper than Deep    
Rhythm of Life    
Give Me a Reason    
Pickin' Up    
So Good    
Dancehall Mood

 

 

 

 

Bass culture, my brothers & sisters,
NØ