Angus “Drummie Zeb” Gaye, who has died suddenly aged 62, was a founding member of Aswad, one of the most successful British reggae groups. Gaye’s propulsive drumming, which often incorporated intricate rolls peppered by striking rhythmic accents and sometimes uncommon time signatures, helped give Aswad a distinctive edge from their earliest beginnings in the mid-1970s. Gaye’s vocal skills and songwriting ability were also put to good use in the group, which he began fronting in the mid-90s.
However, even during the early phase in which the group strove to establish themselves in London’s burgeoning reggae scene, Gaye’s sporadic stints on lead vocals typically yielded exceptional results: the debut single, Back to Africa (1976), written by the keyboardist Courtney Hemmings, was sensitively delivered by Gaye at Hemmings’ request; It’s Not Our Wish (That We Should Fight) (1978), co-written with the bassist George Oban, and Judgement Day (1979), written by Gaye, gave voice to frustrations experienced by young black British people during a time of heightened racial tension, while venerating the Rastafari faith that gave solace to Gaye and his fellow band members.
