reggae legends - the abyssinians

my people,

i have some things to share.

first, let me assume you all know about the abyssinians. they are one of the founders of roots reggae. pre-marley. "satta massagana" and "declaration of rights" are two of the most popular roots reggae tracks of all time. they are my personal favorites of all time.

well, last week they played here in boulder and this happened:

1. the show was amazing. they are in their 60's-70's!
2. after the show, they invited me backstage. (picture this, red-headed rusty and a dozen jamaicans and africans... oh yeah!)
3. i met them all. i took photos. they posed for me. we talked reggae. we talked about the orthodox church.
3 1/2. i had a moment with bernard collins, a 70 year old reggae legend. so rad.
4. some passerbys outside the fox excitedly remarked: "it is smelling irie in there!" which it was... they are rastas, go figure. it's like breakfast for them, it's a way of life. the breakfast of champions to many, ha.

so, cheers to the irie rastas dropping in on boulder and giving us a piece of true spiritual roots reggae music.



Satta Massagana ( translation: give thanks!) lyrics:

There is a land far, far away
Where there's no night, there's only day
Look into the book of life and you will see
That there's a land far, far away
That there's a land far, far away.

The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords
Sits upon his throne and He rules us all
Look into the book of life and you will see
That He rules us all
That He rules us all. :

There is a land...

Satta Massagana Ahamlack, ulaghize
Satta Massagana Ahamlack, ulaghize

one love
-rustafarian

ps: you can buy the songs here. it's a classic, invest.
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=2535239&s=143441