US-based independent label Manatee Records will be rolling out the Satta Massagana rhythm project later this month.
The project features Don Yute, Fidel, Jah Art, Drivah and Bastic , Ishmel McAnuff, Kmino, Jah Defender , Jah Myhrakle, Mikey Lion, Ras Ash, Sgt. Remo, Mr. Program and Winston McAnuff.
“I’m getting a lot of positive feedback about this project. With the right promotion, these songs will do well both locally and overseas. The title of the project translates from the Amharic language as “He Gave Praise”, and with this project, I am honouring the spirit of that argument, by giving praise,” Manatee Records president/CEO Calvin ‘Doc’ Flowers said.
“The original Satta Massagana has even been adopted by some Rastafarian groups as a hymn used during services so this project means a lot to me. The songs are well written and bring positive messages of introspection, peace and love to all,” Flowers added.
Flowers has been involved in the music community in Chicago since his arrival from native country of Belize.
Satta Massagana is the title track of a roots reggae album of the same name which was released by The Abyssinians officially in 1976. It is widely considered The Abyssinians’ crowning achievement and a classic roots reggae album.
One of the standout songs on the project belongs to Teeardrops with ‘Wake Up List’.
“This song is inspired by the knowledge that life is the greatest, whenever you rise, you have it all, you’re rich. The song is getting a lot of airplay locally. Bobby Konders is playing it and all major radio stations in Jamaica,” Teeardrops said.
Another standout song is Ras Ash with the introspective well-written ‘Slave Trade’ delivered in a fierce powerful growl but in the chorus, he takes a conciliatory love-based approach as he declares: ‘forgive them Jah’.
“The Trans-Atlantic trade perpetrated by the traders of flesh, spirits and souls caused deep-seated effects that we’re still battling with today. The youths are still in ignorance and show a resistance to their true self. Nevertheless, we still stand a chance with loving kindness and the mercies of Jah Jah which teaches forgiveness with love, understanding and unconditional forgiveness. Only Jah Can Set Us Free,” Ras Ash said.
Reggae singer Winston McAnuff, who is also known under the stage name Electric Dread, shows up to speak about the end days with ‘War on the Land’ while his son, Ishmel McAnuff asks a hot button question: ‘Who Builds These Guns?”.
Nineties dancehall star Don Yute adds superstar power to the project with ‘No Matter What’. Fidel gives the project an international feel with his Spanish-sung vocals on ‘Satta’.
“The songs were sent to radio two weeks ago. They’re getting strong support from DJs in Canada, Jamaica, the US, the UK, Africa and Europe. The project will be officially released next month,” Doc Flowers added.
Doc has supported the many Afro-Caribbean music festivals for the past 30 years including the Chicago Music Awards and the Festival of Life, a yearly production with international artistes. He established Manatee Records in 1992, and through his label, has recorded and marketed many of the current top selling reggae artistes in Jamaica.
