There are lots of great pop reggae bands, and lots of great roots reggae bands. But very few have succeeded at being simultaneously great as both. Aswad came up in London just as UK reggae was really coming into its own, and their blend of a slick and tight ensemble sound with songs that veered from romantic come-ons to deep spiritual exhortation brought them quick success. On New Chapter you hear their sound in its full flower for the first time, and songs like “African Children” and “I Will Keep on Loving You” constitute a template that would define their work for years to come.

– Rick Anderson