Tag: Roots Reggae

The Abyssinians "Satta Amassa Gana" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #Reggae #ReggaeMusic #Music #RootsReggae #13thStreetPromotions #TheAbyssinians #SattaAmassaGana #ClinchRecords #Oldies #OldiesSunday #OldSchool #Caribbean #1971

OLDIES SUNDAY: The Abyssinians – Satta Amassa Gana (1971)

Posted on by swadedavillain

There are classics, and then there are CLASSICS. On “Oldies Sunday“, we highlight plenty of songs that hold a high place in the History books. For today’s selection, we highlight Roots Reggae group The Abyssinians, and their single, “Satta Amassa Gana“.

Self-produced and released through Clinch Records in 1971, The Abyssinians deliver a song that connects on a deep level with “Satta Amassa Gana”. The song promotes consciousness, spirituality, and aims to unite the people. The title, which means “He gave praise/Give thanks” in Amharic, was almost shelved. Recorded in 1969 at Studio One with the original title “Far, Far Away“, the owner “Sir Coxsone” Dodd didn’t believe it was good enough for release through his label. The group didn’t let that deter them, and they officially released it under a new title 2 years later through their own label. The song would take off quickly in Jamaica, and gave the group notoriety throughout and outside the Island. The song would be featured on their debut album “Satta Massagana” in 1976, an album that many consider a classic Roots Reggae project. “Satta” would go on to be covered a number of times by The Abyssinians, Don Carlos, Tommy Tornado, and most notably, Third World for their self-titled debut album. The song would also be sampled by Jackie Mittoo, Sizzla, Capleton, Shabba Ranks, Isaac Maya, and I Wayne. It would also be adopted by Rastafarian groups as a hymn to be performed during services, and various versions of it were made.

Since the release of “Satta Amassa Gana”, The Abyssinians, consisting of Bernard Collins, and the Manning brothers Donald, Carlton, and Lynford, would enjoy a number of years touring, recording, and releasing music before splitting up, reuniting with different versions of the group, and reuniting with the original lineup over the years. “Satta Amassa Gana” remains a classic, and is revered by many.

Thank You The Abyssinians For This Classic!

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OLDIES SUNDAY: Love Joys – All I Can Say (1981)

Posted on by swadedavillain

It’s a new month, and we’re glad to be here providing music for you to enjoy on “Oldies Sunday“. Since its inception, we’ve highlighted classic singles, guilty pleasures, underrated hits, and allowed our audience to get familiar with music they’ve never heard before. This Sunday is no different as today we feature UK-based Reggae duo Love Joys, and their single, “All I Can Say“.

Produced by Lloyd Barnes a.k.a. Bullwackie for the Wackie’s label and released in 1981, Love Joys were all about making the world a better place in “All I Can Say”. The cousin duo of Sonia Abel and Claudette Brown encouraged listeners to live a better life, call out those who do wrong, and hope and pray that things get better for us all. Over some solid production, the pair deliver conscious messages along with some melodies. “All I Can Say” was featured on their 1981 album, “Reggae Vibes“, and their official 1982 debut album “Lovers Rock (Reggae Style)“. The song became a hit for the duo, and became known in Jamaica, and various parts of the world. It was sampled in 2024 by Texas Rapper BigXThaPlug for his track “Havin Freestye“, which featured Ro$ama and Yung Hood, and produced by Tony Coles. “All I Can Say” was also featured on hit Video Game “Saints Row” through the in-game radio station.

Since the release of “All I Can Say”, not much was heard from Love Joys. The duo was recognized as one of the first all-Female Roots Reggae groups, but they disbanded in the 1980s. In the 2000s, Sonia Abel (now Sonia “Marla” Allen) would create the duo Natti Love Joys with her Husband Anthony “Jatti” Allen. “All I Can Say” is still remembered by fans, and “Saints Row” gamers.

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The Cimarons "Paul Bogle" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #Reggae #RootsReggae #Music #13thStreetPromotions #TheCimarons #PaulBogle #HeritageWeek #NationalHero #StThomas #MorantBay #MorantBayRebellion #Caribbean

OLDIES SUNDAY: The Cimarons – Paul Bogle (1976)

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Monday October 14 will commence “Heritage Week” in Jamaica. The week leads up to the celebration of our National Heroes on October 21st, and the Island has a number of events lined up. We try to highlight the celebration of our heroes every year on “Oldies Sunday“, and today is no different. Today’s selection comes from The Cimarons with their track, “Paul Bogle“.

The self produced “Paul Bogle” track was released in 1976 through the Cimarak label, and it finds The Cimarons highlighting the contributions of the late National Hero, Paul Bogle. Bogle was a Deacon and Activist from the Parish of St. Thomas, and was instrumental in the 1865 Morant Bay Rebellion. The song encourages everyone to say Bogle’s name loudly, and salute him for the great things he has done in prompting the freedom of Black people in Jamaica. His sacrifice was widely regarded, and he was posthumously awarded the title of National Hero by the Government of Jamaica in 1969 along with George William Gordon, who was involved in the Morant Bay Rebellion, Marcus Garvey, Alexander Bustamante, and Norman Washington Manley. He was immortalized through numerous publications, songs, events, and art, and was the face of the Jamaican 10 cent coin, the $2 bill, and since 2023, is one of the faces of the $50 bill. This past October 11 was recognized as “Paul Bogle Day” in Jamaica. The track became a favourite for many listeners thanks to its dose of knowledge, and was featured on The Cimarons’ 1976 album, “On The Rock“. It was re-recorded and released in early 2024.

Salute Our Heroes! Thank You Cimarons For This Great Song!

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OLDIES SUNDAY: The Visionaires – Marcus Garvey (1982)

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Yesterday (August 17) was celebrated as the birthday of the late Rt. Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey. The Pan-Africanist was Jamaica’s first National Hero, and inspired many Civil Rights Activists, Rastafarians, The Nation Of Islam, and Black Power Movements. His teachings and influence continues to connect with many generations, but on “Oldies Sunday“, we look back at one of his tributes. Today’s selection comes from the Roots Reggae Band, The Visionaires and their track, “Marcus Garvey“.

Produced by Austin Hutson and released through the Orthodox Label in 1982, The Visonaires shared the importance of the Rt. Excellent Marcus Garvey in “Marcus Garvey”. The track champions for the philosophical works of Garvey to be taught in the schools, and encourage more people to learn about him and become more conscious of themselves. The band also speaks on Garvey’s prophecies that have come to pass, and call out those who try to eradicate his name and works from the public. “Marcus Garvey” was featured on the band’s only album, “To Have A Home“, which was featured in 1982, and gained popularity locally and Internationally. Not much information is out there about The Visionaires, but the band consisted of Audley Watson, Basil Gayle, and Winston Dudney. “Marcus Garvey” is still played today, especially during Marcus Garvey celebrations.

Thank You The Visionaires For This Classic!

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OLDIES SUNDAY: Burning Spear – Marcus Garvey (1974)

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It’s Reggae Month and Black History Month, so we continue to honour those who have made strides in taking the music to another level, and those who have fought for the freedom of Black People. Today’s Oldies Sunday focuses on one of the most important voices in Reggae, and one of the most important Black figures in History. We check out Burning Spear’s “Marcus Garvey“.

Produced by Lawrence Lindo a.k.a. Jack Ruby and released through his Fox label in 1974, Burning Spear made a track to highlight National Hero and Pan-Africanist, Marcus Garvey. Garvey fought for Black Liberation, was a major influence in the Rastafarian movement and the Nation Of Islam, and inspired the Black Power movement. The song spoke of Garvey’s words and teachings coming to pass, while encouraging Black people to stand up and fulfill the prophecies from this great man. The song also made mention of Garvey’s Chauffeur, known as “Bag O’Wire“, who was responsible for betraying Garvey by reporting him to the Authourities. “Marcus Garvey” was the opening track for the 1975 album of the same name, which was been regarded as one of Reggae’s most important albums, and was celebrated as one of the 100 essential Reggae albums by Rough Guides Ltd., and one of the 1001 albums you must listen to before you die by Robert Dimery.

Since the release of “Marcus Garvey”, Burning Spear has went on to become an influential voice in Roots Reggae. With a heavy collection of albums and singles, Spear is also a two-time GRAMMY winner and 12-time nominee, and was active for years until retiring in 2016, and un-retiring in 2022. Celebrate the greats, and continue fighting for true freedom for Black People.

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OLDIES SUNDAY: Culture – Two Sevens Clash (1977)

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Today we celebrate the birthday of a Reggae Icon who has contributed greatly to the culture, and funny enough he was the founder of a band called, Culture. We feature the late Joseph Hill today on Oldies Sunday by highlighting his band’s track called, “Two Sevens Clash“.

Produced by Joe Gibbs and released through Joe Gibbs Music in 1977, the Joseph Hill-led Culture shared an apocalyptic message on “Two Sevens Clash”. Inspired by a vision by Joseph Hill and a prediction by Marcus Garvey, the song spoke of the year 1977 becoming a year of judgment, and the date of July 7, 1977 (7/7/77) becoming a day chaos respectively. The song’s lyrics spoke of the 7s clashing (i.e. the seventh day of the seventh month of the seventy-seventh year), and it would mean that past injustices would be avenged. Joseph Hill’s vision came during a bus ride, with lyrics and melodies following, thus becoming a song in the process. “Two Sevens Clash”, while it was a very influential record upon release, it was paired with Marcus Garvey’s prediction, and caused many individuals in Jamaica to remain indoors and establishments closed, awaiting the fulfillment of the prophecy on July 7, 1977. The single itself was very successful as it gained a following overseas, and became the title track of Culture’s debut album that was released the same year. “Two Sevens Clash” went on to become Culture’s most memorable, successful, and influential song to date.

Since the release of “Two Sevens Clash”, Culture went on to release more music, securing its place as one of Reggae’s greatest bands. The band split in 1981, with Joseph Hill keeping the name, and recruiting new members. The band also had a rift with Joe Gibbs over unpaid royalties for the “Two Sevens Clash” album. The band continued to be active over the years till Hill passed away in 2006, prompting his son Kenyatta to take over as the lead Singer till this day.

THANK YOU CULTURE FOR THIS CLASSIC!

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