Rise and Shine (Aswad album) explained

Rise and Shine is a studio album by British reggae band Aswad, released in 1994 through Bubblin' Records. The album peaked at number 38 on the UK Albums Chart and at number 69 on the Dutch Album Top 100.

Singles

The album spawned two singles: "Shine" and "Warrior Charge", both made it to the UK Singles Chart at No. 5 and No. 33 respectively. Its lead single, "Shine", became the group's second biggest hit after their version of "Don't Turn Around".

Critical reception

Andy Gill of The Independent called Rise and Shine "a return to the group's traditional strengths after the ill-judged attempt at dancehall crossover that was Too Wicked". He also declared that "The overall theme of Rise and Shine is of uplift and perseverance, the classic roots-reggae consciousness recipe applied here to less positive times."^[2]

The album was Grammy nominated for Best Reggae Album at the 37th Annual Grammy Awards.^[3]

Personnel

Aswad

• Angus "Drummie Zeb" Gaye – lead vocals, drums, backing vocals, programming, mixing
• Brinsley "Dan" Forde – lead vocals, guitar, backing vocals
• Dennis Anthony "Tony Gad" Robinson – lead vocals, bass, keyboards, backing vocals, programming

with:

• Paul "Jazzwad" Yebuah – drums
• Carlton Courtney "Bubblers" Ogilvie – drums, bass, keyboards, backing vocals
• Michael "Cool Walk" Martin – bass, keyboards
• Stanley "Soon Come" Andrew – guitar, backing vocals, programming
• John David Holliday – guitar, backing vocals
• Joseph Crawley "Jo" Cang – guitar, backing vocals
• Alan Glass – keyboards, programming
• Winston Rollins – horns
• Eddie "Tan Tan" Thornton – horns
• Brian Edwards – horns
• Janet Kay – backing vocals
• Viveen Wray – backing vocals
• Trevor Steel – backing vocals
• Solomon – deejay
• Anthony "Chukki Star" Williams – deejay
• Yootie General – deejay

Technical

• Peter "Mash" Morgan – programming, engineering, mixing
• James Reynolds – engineering (track 2)
• Tony Cousins – mastering

Notes and References

1. 2 July 1994. Aswad. Music & Media. 27. 27 July 2023.
2. Web site: POP/Albums: That was, and is, the man that Was. Gill, Andy. July 13, 1994. The Independent. independent.co.uk.
3. Web site: Aswad. The Recording Academy. grammy.com.