#brinsley forde

[georgefairbrother]

Actor and musician Brinsley Forde MBE was born 16th October 1953 in Islington, North London.

He achieved early success in the children’s TV series Here Come the Double Deckers (1970-71), which was co-produced by 20th Century Fox and screened on BBC1 and ABC America.

Having appeared in two episodes of the hit London Weekend Television sitcom, Please Sir, he had a significant and memorable role in the 1971 movie adaptation as Wesley, with his character a critical part of the storyline. Having been accidentally left behind by the coach on the way to the school camp, he hitches a ride with Penny (Jill Kerman), convincing her that the benign and totally sincere teacher, Mr Hedges (John Alderton), is in fact a racist slumlord, leading to a number of comic encounters and confrontations.

(Given the standards of the time in UK television comedy, the writers, John Esmonde and Bob Larbey, and LWT, seemed to have a generally enlightened attitude in terms of race. LWT had been previously stung by the debacle of Curry and Chips (written by Johnny Speight) which had attracted the attention of the Independent Broadcasting Authority and Race Relations Board in 1969. As a result, both Brinsley Forde and fellow student Aziz Resham (Feisal) were able to shine in their own right and even poke fun at some overcompensating liberal attitudes, to their own advantage.)

Brinsley Forde went on to numerous other acting roles. He is a Grammy nominated musician, and founding member of the legendary reggae band, Aswad, which in amongst numerous international hits, had a UK number one in 1988 with Don’t Turn Around.

(Top Image: Seventies Time Machine/ Classic British TV. Bottom Image - Brinsley Forde Facebook.)

[page-28]

[newleasemusic]

Raphael Tate shares singles 'Same Energy' and 'Zion' from latest EP 'Love'.

Raphael Tate shares singles 'Same Energy' and 'Zion' from latest EP 'Love'.

RAPHAEL TATE – dubbed as the ‘Prince of Soul’ by his loyal fans – has returned in 2024 with EP ‘Love’, out now via Jermaine Forde’s label Ajang Music.  A multi-Grammy nominated producer and the son of the Brinsley Forde from legendary reggae group Aswad, Jermaine has worked with the likes of Julian Marley and Black Uhuru and also produced Raphael Tate’s 2020 BBC London/BBC1xtra-approved single,…

[bigmacdaddio]

FEBRUARY 1972 (43 YEARS AGO)Brinsley Schwarz: Silver Pistol is released.# ALL THINGS MUSIC PLUS+ 4.5/5# Allmusic 4.5/5Silver Pistol is an album by Brinsley Schwarz, released in February, 1972 in the US.  Recorded in the living room of the group's communal home, this album was Brinsley Schwarz's attempt to recreate the organic, back-to-basics feel of contemporary American rock groups like The Band. Although Nick Lowe's songwriting had not yet developed to a level of sophistication that could match The Band's Robbie Robertson, Silver Pistol exudes easy-going ambiance.

Silver Pistol also marked the recording debut of new vocalist/guitarist Ian Gomn. Gomn's songs, which include the sparkling country-rock of "Range War" and the spiffy instrumental "Rocking Chair," provide the perfect complement to Lowe's compositions. Lowe himself turns in a batch of strong tunes that range from soul-pop excursions like "Merry Go Round" and "Unknown Number," to fragile acoustic ballads like "Nightingale." Though not as immediately accessible as some of their later albums, Silver Pistol is an impressive album that grows more enchanting with each listen.

Rolling Stone (5/11/72, p.56) - "...they have transcended their overtly derivative stage and found a purer level of creative activity..."

REVIEWby Stephen Thomas Erlewine, allmusicSilver Pistol isn't the definitive pub rock album, but it is the first great record to surface from the scene. Like much of the first wave of pub rock, Silver Pistol is quiet, laid-backm and low-key -- with its warm, rustic sound and a gentleness that infuses even the rockers, this is the closest to the Band that the Brinsleys got. There are some major differences, most of them coming from Nick Lowe. That's not to denigrate new guitarist/songwriter Ian Gomm, since his four numbers (particularly "Dry Land" and "Range War") reveal a fine songwriter with a keen sense of melody and a knack for synthesizing country, rock, and folk into something distinctive, but Lowe really hits his stride with this record. This is in to some degree due to the influence of Jim Ford, a renegade American roots-rocker who Brinsley Schwarz backed on an unreleased and subsequently lost 1971 album. The group covers two of his songs, "Niki Hoeke Speedway" and "Ju Ju Man," on Silver Pistol, and these numbers reveal the appealingly off-kilter sense of humor and pop hooks that would form the foundation of Lowe's style. Those sensibilities are just beginning to creep into his songwriting on Silver Pistol, on the Beatles-meets-Band "Unknown Number," the lovely "Nightingale," the wonderful pop tune "The Last Time I Was Fooled," and the epic "Silver Pistol." His other two songs are sturdy country-rock numbers a notch below Gomm's best on the record, but still very good, and it all adds up to an endearing low-key roots rock album that doesn't just find Brinsley Schwarz coming into their own, it stands as one of the most appealing records of its kind.TRACKS:All tracks composed by Nick Lowe; except where indicated.Side one"Dry Land" (Ian Gomm) – 2:42"Merry Go Round" – 4:11"One More Day" (Ian Gomm) – 2:54"Nightingale" – 3:07"Silver Pistol" – 3:38"The Last Time I Was Fooled" – 4:05Side two"Unknown Number" – 2:58"Range War" (Ian Gomm) – 2:34"Egypt" – 5:23"Niki Hoeke Speedway" (Jim Ford) – 3:30"Ju Ju Man" (Jim Ford, Lolly Vegas) – 3:37"Rockin' Chair" (Ian Gomm) – 2:27

[erstwhile-punk-guerito]

[mariocki]

Villains: Alice Sheree (1.5, LWT, 1972)

"Did he ever say anything about marriage?"

"I don't believe anything he says."

"But there's no idea of waiting for him? For his release?"

"I... don't want to see him again. How could I?"

[ritualsradio]

Aswad - Rainbow Culture  We are the children of the rainbow 

[movieposteroftheday]

2019 Style B US one sheet for BABYLON (Franco Rosso, UK, 1980)

Designer: Dylan Haley

Poster source: Kino Lorber

“Cult British reggae film ‘Babylon’ to get first ever US release.”

[streamondemand]

'Babylon' – London's reggae underground on Criterion Channel and Mubi

‘Babylon’ – London’s reggae underground on Criterion Channel and Mubi

The 1980 British drama Babylon (1980) is on the one hand a high-energy film steeped in the Jamaican subculture of South London and the music culture of reggae, dub, and lover’s rock, and on the other a social document capturing the black experience in the racially-charged atmosphere of Thatcher’s England. Brinsley Forde (frontman of landmark British reggae group Aswad) stars as Blue, a dancehall…

[georgefairbrother]

Actor and musician Brinsley Forde MBE celebrated his birthday this week, born 16th October 1953 in Islington, North London.

He achieved success as a child actor in the children's TV series Here Come the Double Deckers (1970-71), which was co-produced by 20th Century Fox and screened on BBC1 and ABC America. He is believed to be the first black child actor to appear on British television in a major role.

He had a significant and memorable role in the movie version of the sitcom, Please Sir, (1971) as Wesley, with his character a critical part of the storyline. Having been accidentally left behind by the coach on the way to the school camp, he hitches a ride with Penny (Jill Kerman), convincing her that the benign and totally sincere teacher, Mr Hedges (John Alderton), is in fact a racist slumlord, leading to a number of comic encounters and confrontations. (Given the standards of the time in UK television comedy, London Weekend Television seemed to have a generally enlightened attitude in terms of 'race relations', perhaps having been stung by the debacle of Curry and Chips which had attracted the attention of the Independent Broadcasting Authority and Race Relations Board in 1969. As a result, both Brinsley Forde and fellow 'student' Aziz Resham (Feisal) were able to shine in their own right and even poke fun at some overcompensating liberal attitudes to their own advantage.)

Brinsley Forde went on to numerous other acting roles and is a Grammy nominated musician and founding member of the legendary reggae band, Aswad, which in amongst numerous international hits, had a UK number one in 1988 with Don't Turn Around.

(Top Image: Seventies Time Machine)

[skeratch]

Babylon (1980)

[guillaumebougard]

From Brinsley Forde’s upcoming “One fine day” album produced by Sly & Robbie, mixed by Steven Stanley

[blackxlist]

Brinsley Forde

[reggae-vibes-com]

Aswad drummer & singer Drummie Zeb has died

Angus "Drummie Zeb" Gaye (1959-2022) Drummer and lead singer for British reggae band Aswad, Angus Gaye pka Drummie Zeb, died in London on Friday at the age of 62. The iconic British reggae band released a statement on Facebook in which they confirmed the death of their frontman. "It is with deepest regret and profound loss that we have to announce the passing of our brother Angus ‘Drummie’ Gaye. Drummie was the lead vocalist for the iconic band Aswad and is much loved and respected by both family, friends and peers alike. More information will be given at a later time but on behalf of his family and Aswad �� we ask that their privacy is respected at this heart-breaking time. Drummie has left us to join our ancestors and leaves a huge void both personally and professionally.” The original members of Aswad, which was formed in London during the mid-1970s were guitarist/vocalist Brinsley "Chaka B" Forde, drummer/vocalist Angus "Drummie Zeb" Gaye, lead guitarist/vocalist Donald "Dee" Griffiths, bassist George "Ras" Oban, and keyboardist Courtney "Khaki" Hemmings. Initially, the band produced music in the roots reggae vein, with members contributing songs individually and with Brinsley Forde acting as the band's principal songwriter. The band's dynamic soon began to change however. Shortly after the release of their self-titled debut album in 1976, Hemmings left and was replaced by Tony "Gad" Robinson (the only time in the band's history where a departing member would be officially replaced by an incoming musician). The band then released their second studio effort called "Hulet", in 1978, before Oban departed the band in 1979, with Robinson taking over the position of bassist as well as continuing his role as keyboardist. The following year saw Griffiths depart, leaving Forde as the band's sole guitarist. During this early period in the band's history they were distinctly different from Jamaican reggae acts in that they wrote songs that dealt with the issues surrounding the experiences of black youths growing up in the UK; such as "Three Babylon", "It's Not Our Wish", and the powerful instrumental "Warrior Charge". Once the band's line-up had stabilised into the trio of Forde, Gaye, and Robinson, Aswad followed a more commercial reggae style, gaining a wider audience with the 1981 "New Chapter" album. They then followed this with the Michael Reuben Campbell produced "A New Chapter of Dub" LP, which was a dub of the entire New Chapter album. In August 1982, Aswad played live at Meanwhile Gardens on the Sunday of the Notting Hill Carnival. The resulting live album titled "Live And Direct" with Drummie Zeb’s passionate performance being outstanding. It won him widespread acclaim. When the band’s sound started to become more commercial, Drummie Zeb assumed most of the lead vocal duties on songs like the band's 1988 UK No. 1 hit, "Don’t Turn Around" (originally recorded by Tina Turner) as well as "Give A Little Love" and and a reggae-flavoured rendition of The Eagles' "Best of My Love". Aswad underwent their first line-up change in sixteen years in 1996, when Brinsley Forde departed the band for spiritual reasons, leaving Drummie Zeb as the only founding member. Once again, they opted not to seek to recruit a replacement musician, and thus Aswad became a duo of Angus Gaye and Tony Robinson. the band's line-up remained the same until Drummie Zeb's untimely death. (Photo courtesy of Rik de Blick)Ads Check Aswad Music

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[j-august]

Lady Coventry was more renowned for her beauty than her tact, and when asked by George II if there was any whim of hers that he could gratify, she confessed that she had always longed to see a coronation.

- Brinsley Ford (1989). 'Portraits of the English Abroad in Countries Other than Italy'. Studies in the History of Art. 95-119.

[kaatsound]

Drummie Zeb, Brinsley Forde and Tony Gad from ASWAD, backstage at a club in Raintree, Essex, UK, 1984 © David Corio