Formed in 1969, The Abyssinians are better known for their trio unique harmony roots and spiritual music. Their greatest hit “Satta Massagana” is considered the anthem for reggae music. After a string of hits, like “Declaration of Rights,” “Forward unto Zion,” “African Race,” and many more, the group never quite managed to break into the mainstream, although they seemed poised for international stardom during the ’70s and ’80s. The singers were all born in Kingston, Jamaica, the three original members are Donald Manning, Linford Manning, and Bernard Collins. Then they recorded “Satta Massagana” at Coxson Dodd’s Studio 1 and self-released on their Clinch label.
The Abyssinians’ first full album was recorded in 1976 and is regarded as one of the greatest in the history of Jamaican music. Regrettably, the tapes were pirated, and the album didn’t see legitimate release until Heartbeat Records (US) and Blue Moon Records (France) released it in the mid-‘90s. The group’s deeply spiritual, afrocentric lyrics were crystallized on virtually every cut on the album, and it featured remakes of “Satta,” “Declaration of Rights,” and “Y Mas Gan.”
The group separated in 1980 and reconnected in 1989 joining together again and recorded an album over a three year period named $19.95+Tax. In 1993, Heartbeat Records reissued Satta Massagana (a.k.a. Forward Onto Zion). “Satta Massagana '' (meaning give thanks) is notable for its use of Amharic, the language of Ethiopia (Abyssinia.) The Amharic song title is a result of Donald Manning’s Rastafarian influence on the group. Collins recalls how Donald’s brother Neville used to teach Amharic in the Jonestown area of Kingston. “[He] was a man who used to . . . have classes around there, where we could all go and learn the language, cause he used to get books from Ethiopia through England — Ethiopian opinions. And those books contain all the literature that we need . . . That’s how we get acquainted with the Amharic."
The group is credited on “Slave Song,” from Sade's 2002 album Lovers Live which starts with a sample from the Abyssinians’ song “African Race.” Their 2025 tour offers a rare opportunity to see this legendary group live.
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