Aswad - Big Up (1997)

One of the first British bands to popularize the the rhythms of Jamaica in Europe, Aswad continues to draw on its roots influence and expand its sound on BIG UP with dancehall rhythms and rich vocal harmonies. On several tracks it's easy to think you're hearing a dancehall remix of the Beach Boys or the Beatles (they even quote the fab four in "Hurry Love.")

While "Without You" and "Danger In Your Eyes" have a more traditional reggae feel, both rhythmically and lyrically, "One Shot Chiller" is tailor-made for the dance floor. The band even enters Barry White territory on "Push." "Rock Solid" is based on a New Jack R&B rhythm, complete with scratching. And if you need further proof of the evolutionary steps that reggae has gone through in the past thirty years, look no further than their cover of the Police's (a band they performed with often) "Roxanne"--a black British reggae band covering a white British New Wave band appropriating a traditional Jamaican style.~Big Up Review by AllMusic