It's a warm, sunny day for those who are out and about in West London, enjoying the Notting Hill Carnival. I've been to a few Carnivals over the years, most memorably in 1983 when Aswad played a storming set, later released on LP as 'Live and Direct'. The band may now be best remembered by a wider audience for their 'pop' hits, commencing with 'Don't Turn Around' in 1984, but in the previous eight years Aswad released a series of consistently strong roots reggae albums and were an exceptional live outfit to boot. Here's a shot I took from the crowd that day in 1983 and 'African Children' from the gig, featuring a wicked 'live' dub section.Sunday, 24 August 2014
Aswad at the Notting Hill Carnival
It's a warm, sunny day for those who are out and about in West London, enjoying the Notting Hill Carnival. I've been to a few Carnivals over the years, most memorably in 1983 when Aswad played a storming set, later released on LP as 'Live and Direct'. The band may now be best remembered by a wider audience for their 'pop' hits, commencing with 'Don't Turn Around' in 1984, but in the previous eight years Aswad released a series of consistently strong roots reggae albums and were an exceptional live outfit to boot. Here's a shot I took from the crowd that day in 1983 and 'African Children' from the gig, featuring a wicked 'live' dub section.
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5 comments:
Aswad were the best of all British roots reggae bands, IMO. Those early albums are top of the range. Shame about the pop period. All aboard for the Double Deckers!
Excellant, I do believe I neglected them wrongly...contibuted to the fact I was abroad at the time of their peak. Only been once to the NHC in 1973...it did not rain either.
SB. Funnily enough, when I drafted this post I called Aswad the best UK reggae band, but I backtracked when I remembered the Bristol roots comp you featured yonks ago. It had some great tunes and a lot of interesting UK bands that I don't really know enough about.
OP. The poor buggers at the Carnival are certainly getting rained on today! Any Aswad up to 1983 is well worth checking out.
This was a great day and a great set from Aswad! Do you have any more pics of videos from this day? I’d love to see or hear 🙏🏽
I was there that day at
The carnival, it was when I first discovered Aswad. The music was brilliant, it was a beautiful warm if not hot sunny day, one that I will always remember.
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