- The Abyssinians
Infobox musical artist
Name = The Abyssinians
Img_capt = Cover of the Abyssinians' album 1978 "Arise"
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Background = group_or_band
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Origin =Jamaica
Genre =Roots reggae
Years_active = 1969–present
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URL = [http://www.theabyssinians.com/ TheAbyssinians.com]
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Past_members =The Abyssinians are a
Jamaica nroots reggae group, famous for their closeharmonies and promotion of theRastafari movement in their lyrics.The vocal trio was originally formed in 1969 by Bernard Collins, Donald Manning and Linford Manning.
Their most famous songs are "
Satta Massagana " and "Y Mas Gan", both of which are delivered partially in theEthiopia n language ofAmharic . This language is sacred to Rastafarians as they believe the last Emperor of Ethiopia,Haile Selassie , to be anavatar of God.Another crucial track is "Declaration of Rights", whose instrumental version (the "
riddim ") has been reprised many times during the years by many otherroots reggae artists.The Abyssinians should not be confused with the reggae, rocksteady, and ska group
The Ethiopians , though the two bands' names are synonyms when used outside the context of band names.Discography
* 1976 : "
Satta Massagana " - Heartbeat
* 1977 : "SATTA"
* 1977 : "FORWARD ON TO ZION"
* 1978 : "Arise" -Tuff Gong
* 1982 : "Forward" - Alligator
* 1994 : "BEST OF THE ABYSSINIANS"
* 1996 : "19.95 + TAX"
* 1998 : "Reunion" - Artists Only
* 1998 : "Satta Dub" - Tabou
* 1998 : "Declaration of Dub" - Heartbeat
* 1999 : "LAST DAYS"
* 2002 : "Live in San Francisco" - 2b1 II
* 2003 : Abyssinians & Friends "Tree of Satta" - Blood & FireExternal links
* [http://www.theabyssinians.com Official Website]
* [http://incolor.inetnebr.com/cvanpelt/collins.html Interviews, discography]
* [http://rootsdub.free.fr/Abyssinians%20-%20disco.htm Complete discography] fr icon
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