Satta Massagana

Satta Massagana

by The Abyssinians
Satta Massagana

Satta Massagana

by The Abyssinians

CD(Special Edition)

$12.99 
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Overview

This is one of those legendary reggae albums that's easier to admire than enjoy. There's no doubt of its importance: if you had to pick the five most influential Rasta anthems of the 1970s (and Jah knows there have been few if any since then), the title track of this album would be one of them. So, most likely, would "Declaration of Rights," which has been remade in countless different versions. And the Abyssinians themselves are a fine vocal trio. If they're not as sweet-sounding as the Mighty Diamonds, and not as tight and compelling as the Heptones, they do have a fierce and intense spirituality that is pretty compelling in its own right. But all that said, this is an album that takes some time and adjustment to enjoy. For one thing, every single song is taken at exactly the same tempo. Reggae is a music that is built on subtle differentiation (or, as philistines and Babylonians might say, it all tends to sound the same), and that means that it's important to sow a little variety wherever you can. It's also true that the group's spiritual intensity sometimes leads the harmonies to, shall we say, wander in the wilderness a bit. But the deep religious conviction of the songs and singers, as well as that unchanging, loping, serene groove, will begin to draw you in after a few listens. [This version of Satta Massagana includes four bonus tracks.] ~ Rick Anderson

Product Details

Release Date: 10/23/2007
Label: Rounder Select / Heartbeat / New Rounder
UPC: 0011661783829
Rank: 48410

Tracks

  1. Declaration of Rights
  2. The Good Lord
  3. Forward Unto Zion
  4. Know Jah Today
  5. Abendigo
  6. Y Mas Gan
  7. Black Man's Strain
  8. Satta Massagana
  9. I and I
  10. African Race
  11. Leggo Beast
  12. Peculiar Number
  13. Reason Time
  14. There Is No End
  15. Jerusalem
  16. Leggo Beast Dub
  17. Abendigo
  18. Poor Jason Whyte

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Abyssinians   Primary Artist
Sly & Robbie   Guest Artist
Bernard Collins   Vocal Harmony,Vocals
Earl "Chinna" Smith   Guitar
Clive "Azul" Hunt   Horn,Flute,Keyboards
Geoffrey Chung   Keyboards
Tyrone Downie   Keyboards
Robbie Shakespeare   Bass
Mikey Chung   Guitar
Mikey "Boo" Richards   Drums
Llewellyn Chung   Horn,Flute
Jerome Francique   Horn,Flute
Donald Manning   Vocals,Vocal Harmony
Lynford Manning   Vocals,Vocal Harmony
Val Douglas   Bass
Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace   Drums
Sly Dunbar   Drums

Technical Credits

The Abyssinians   Producer
B. Collins   Composer
Bruce Davidson   Engineer
David Corio   Photography
Donald Manning   Composer,Photography
Lynford Manning   Composer
Scott Billington   Design
Chris Wilson   Reissue,Liner Notes
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