Aswad is arguably Britain's most successful reggae band, in terms of both popularity and longevity. Critical opinion of their body of work is often divided. Some hail their early material as the greatest roots reggae Britain ever produced, beginning with their 1975 self-titled debut, which highlighted the plight of the immigrant Jamaican in the unfamiliar and often hostile environment of '70s London. Others find their later pop-crossover phase more distinctive and unique, when they shifted to funk and soul, resulting in the U.K. chart-topper "Don't Turn Around." Regardless, Aswad's ability to adapt themselves to the changing times – new musical trends, shifting personnel – was ultimately the driving force behind their decades-long career.

Cool Summer Reggae is an album by Aswad, released in 2002. The collection features re-recordings of their hits "Don't Turn Around" and "Shine", plus cover versions that are given the commercial Aswad treatment, including the album's first single, "Shy Guy", featuring vocals from ex-Eternal singer Easther Bennett.

Crimson presents Aswad ‘Gold’, the only Aswad compilation you’ll ever need. Arguably Britain’s most successful reggae band, Aswad have been performing together since the mid 1970s and have released over 20 albums. This new compilation includes tracks from across the group’s career including their early roots reggae recordings to their later pop-reggae fusion hits. All 3 of Aswad’s top 20 hits are included: the UK #1 single ‘Don’t Turn Around’ which topped the charts 1988, the follow up single ‘Give A Little Love’, and 1994’s ‘Shine’ which peaked at #5. CD 1 opens with the group’s best known hit ‘Don’t Turn Around’ which was a top 10 hit across the globe and peaked at #1 in the UK singles charts. Other highlights on this CD include early hit ‘Back To Africa’, the 7” Beatmasters mix of ‘Shine’ which hit #5 in the UK singles chart in 1994, and a cover of Toot and the Maytals’s rocksteady classic ’54-46 That’s My Number’.