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An evening of redemption, spirituality and timeless rhythms. A double bill featuring the architects of the Kingston sound: The Abyssinians and the pioneer of toasting, Big Youth.
The Abyssinians: The Voices of the Temple
Formed in 1968, this vocal trio is the spiritual heart of roots reggae and the creators of ‘Satta Massagana’, considered by many to be the ‘national anthem’ of reggae and a fundamental prayer in Rastafarian culture. With their perfect harmonies and mystical lyrics in Amharic, classics such as ‘Declaration of Rights’ and ‘Forward Onto Zion’ will transport the audience straight to the roots of Jamaica.
Formed in 1968 by Donald Manning, Bernard Collins and Linford Manning, The Abyssinians are cornerstones of the most spiritual and harmonious roots reggae. Their name pays homage to Ethiopia (formerly Abyssinia), a sacred land for the Rastafari movement.
They are the creators of ‘Satta Massagana’ (an Amharic term meaning ‘to give thanks’), considered by many to be the ‘national anthem’ of reggae and a fundamental prayer in Rastafarian culture. In 1969, the group recorded at Coxsone Dodd’s legendary Studio One. The song, which took years to be officially released due to its strong spiritual and political content, defined the roots sound with its deep vocal harmonies and its message of repatriation and faith.
Despite having recorded sparingly, their quality is impeccable. Albums such as Forward on to Zion (1976) and classics like “Declaration of Rights”, “Abendigo” and “African Race” have been covered by countless artists, cementing their status as the guardians of Jamaica’s purest roots.
With Bernard Collins and Donald Manning still at the helm, the group continues to carry its message of peace and unity around the world, keeping the essence of 1970s reggae alive with unwavering dignity.
Big Youth: The Prophet of the Microphone
Manley Augustus Buchanan, better known as Big Youth, is the living embodiment of sound system culture. With his iconic decorated teeth and boundless energy, he revolutionised the genre in the 1970s by transforming toasting (the art of speaking over the beat) into a tool for social and spiritual awareness. You’ll hear historic hits such as ‘S-90 Skank’, ‘The Killer’ and ‘Hit the Road Jack’, performed by the artist whom Bob Marley himself cited as his favourite.
Manley Augustus Buchanan, universally known as Big Youth, is a revolutionary figure who transformed the role of the DJ in Jamaican music. Born in Trenchtown in 1949, he worked as a mechanic and taxi driver before finding his voice in Kingston’s sound systems, particularly with Lord Tippertone. It was there that he perfected toasting (declamatory singing over a rhythmic track), earning his nickname for being younger and taller than his colleagues.
In 1972, he burst onto the charts with hits such as “The Killer” and “S-90 Skank”, the latter dedicated to a Honda motorbike that was very popular at the time. Big Youth stood out not only for his vibrant lyrical delivery, but also for his iconic look: his dreadlocks and his teeth encrusted with red, green and gold jewellery. Unlike other deejays, Big Youth raised the lyrical bar of the genre by incorporating social commentary, Rastafarian philosophy and an attitude that even influenced the British punk movement (being admired by figures such as Johnny Rotten). Bob Marley went so far as to declare that Big Youth was his favourite artist.
With his own labels such as Negusa Nagast, he has maintained control of his career for decades. He has recently returned to the studio with releases such as Beyond the Blue (2021), proving that his energy and his “thunderous voice” are still going strong.
A unique event for lovers of Jamaican culture. Don’t miss this opportunity to see two of the genre’s cornerstones sharing the stage on a night that promises to be historic.
