As I understand it, "roots reggae," the form of reggae most popular in the later 1970's, connotes both a back-to-basics approach to the music and a down-to-earth philosophy that stresses humility, devotion, and an activist approach to the suffering of the common man. No artist typified this movement more than the Abyssinians, and no song came to represent it more than "Satta Massagana," their debut recording. The trio (comprised of lead singer Bernard Collins and brothers Donald and Lynford Manning) updated the closely-knit harmonies of the classic 60's vocal groups (Wailers, Techniques, Gaylads, et al.) by slowing down the beat and switching to darker, minor keys. The Abyssinians' style, together with their devout Rastafarian faith, drew the blueprint for roots reggae.

"Satta Massagana" was produced in 1969 by legendary Studio One helmsman Coxsone Dodd. Based on an earlier recording ("Happy Land") by a third Manning brother (Carlton), the sound of "Satta Massagana" was so revolutionary that Dodd shelved it, forcing the Abyssinians to eventually release it on their own Clinch label in 1971. Once available, the record quickly became a sensation, providing an anthem for the burgeoning Rastafarian movement (it is partly sung in the ancient Amharic language of Ethiopia). "Satta Massagana" proved so inspirational that, over the years, it spawned literally hundreds of covers and dub versions - so many that in 2004 reggae reissue label Blood & Fire compiled an album, Tree Of Satta, devoted solely to the now legendary song.

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