The death of Lynford Manning, founding member of the reggae group The Abyssinians has shaken up the Jamaican music community.
Manning died on June 25 in Miramar Florida.
Producer Clive Hunt, expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of Manning when he was informed on July 5 by WMV. Reflecting on Manning’s influence, Hunt said, “The reggae industry has lost a great talent in Lynford Manning who inspired me when I was a young producer. I worked with him and the rest of the legendary reggae group, The Abyssinians to produce and arrange the Satta Masaganna album which was a phenomenal experience for me.”
He expressed heartfelt words highlight the profound impact Manning had on his career and the reggae music scene saying, My condolences to his family and loved ones. Legends never die! Sleep in peace Lynford! Jah live.”
Along with his older brother Donald and singer Bernard Collins, the trio made the song and album titled Satta Masaganna, two of reggae music’s seminal pieces entirely produced and arranged by Hunt.
Initially recorded in 1969, the “Satta Massagana” album was first offered to Clement “Coxsone” Dodd, who declined its release according to Hunt. The album was then unofficially released by Hunt in 1975, with the official release occurring a year later on the Pentrate label, owned by Hunt and Geoffrey Chung, and subsequently by Jam Sounds in the U.S.
In 1977 and 1978, the album was released as “Forward On To Zion” and “Satta” under different labels. One of the most redone and bootlegged albums according to Hunt, who also released a version titled “Satta” under his Azul label. The album even briefly sparked the interest of Chris Blackwell who wanted to buy the project.
In 1993, it was first released on CD with bonus tracks, and in 2007, a deluxe edition was made available. The title track, “Satta Massagana,” meaning “He Gave Praise” in Amharic and based on Carlton Manning’s “Happy Land,” became a major hit. It has been widely covered and even adopted as a hymn by some Rastafarian groups. The track was covered by Dub Colossus in 2011 and referenced by The Clash in their 1979 song “Jimmy Jazz.”
In 2004, Donald Manning and Bernard Collins reformed the group with singer David Morrison.
