Effective period / Period of releases: 1982

Members: Valerie Skeete, Paulette Coke, Shelomi Coke, Rudo Nathalie Xavier

In 1981 a group of seven female musicians formed a band called African Woman - the world's first widely-known all female reggae band. They were Shelomi Coke, Diane White, Caroline Williams, Paulette Coke, Valerie Skeete, Rudo Nathalie Xavier, Barbara Grossett and Vyris Edghill. Their debut album 'African Woman Abroad' was released in 1982. Two more tracks, recorded in Germany, were also released on a compilation album called 'People Unite' on a label of the same name.

In 1985 Valerie Skeete and Vyris Edghill took another avenue and recorded a soul track, "Watch Yourself" under the name of Akabu. It was an Adrian Sherwood production and was released via the American-based Tommy Boy label.

Subsequently it was decided to merge the two ventures, incorporating both reggae and soul under the name Akabu.

source: http://www.skysaw.org/onu/artists/akabu.html