The Abysinians - Forward On To Zion (Jamaica, 1977-78)

The Abbysinians - Forward On To Zion (Jamaica, 1977-78)

 

The Abyssinians are a Jamaican roots reggae group, famous for their close harmonies and promotion of the Rastafari movement in their lyrics. 

The vocal trio was originally formed in 1968 by Bernard Collins and Donald Manning.Their first song was "Satta Massagana", which was strongly influenced by Carlton Manning's "Happy Land". "Satta Massagana" is a Rastafarian hymn sung partly in the ancient Ethiopian Amharic language. They recruited a third vocalist, who was still at school and often unable to attend rehearsals; He was soon replaced by Donald's brother Lynford Manning, who had previously been a member of their brother Carlton Manning's group Carlton and The Shoes.

Forward Jah
Prophesy
This Is Not The End
Satta Massagana
Mabrak
Forward Onto Zion
Praise Him
Peculiar Number
Peculiar Dub
Jerusalem

Producer : Clive Hunt

Engineer : Errol Thompson & Sylvan Morris

Vocals : The Abyssinians
Drums : Horsemouth Wallace & Devon Richardson & Sly Dunbar & Santa Davis & Boo Richards
Bass : Robbie Shakespeare
Guitar : Jah Jerry & Eric Fratter & Bingy Bunny & Tony Chin & Chinna & Carlton Manning
Keyboards : Pablo Black & Robert Lynn & Richard Ace & Ossie Hibbert & Bubbler & Wire Lindo
Flute : Glen Da Costa
Horns : Jerome Francique & Clive Hunt & H. Chang
Trumpet : Bobby Ellis & David Madden
Alto Saxophone : Herman Marquis & Deadly Headly
Tenor Saxophone : Dirty Harry
Trombone : Vin Gordon
Percussions : Bongo Herman & Ruddy Thomas & Scully Simms

Studios :
Recording : Studio 1 (Kingston, JA) & Channel One (Kingston, JA) & Dynamic Sounds (Kingston, JA) & Harry J (Kingston, JA) & Joe Gibbs (Kingston, JA)

 

The Abysinians - Forward On To Zion (Jamaica, 1977-78)