Search - Abyssinians :: Reunion

Righteous roots and rhythm

mconci@zonnet.nl | Netherlands | 02/02/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Abyssinians are one of my favorite reggae groups, being a lover of (especially roots) reggae for quite some time now. This 'reunion' of the Abyssinians (after - as I understood it - members went there own way for some years) starts with a song based on the Abyssinians' 'classic' Satta Massagana.
This album is evidently roots reggae, as the Abyssinians evidently remain a roots reggae band. Some influences of recent origin are to be found though on this album, albeit mainly in some of the instrumentation.
The songs are in general solid, and the music a groovy, rhythmic reggae. The great soulful singing voices and the falsetto background vocals, as well as the righteous lyrics add to the beauty of this record. Some songs are more groovier, or 'pumping' (or with a more prominent bass) than others. Particularly $ 19.95 + tax and Ethiopia are, to my opinion, terrificly beautiful songs, while the other songs (such as 'Smokey Joe', with a somewhat 'bluesy' feel) are also solid. To my opinion there is not really a bad song on this album.
Differing from their earlier albums is, as already said, the partly more modern instrumentation, which may be only normal as it is released in 1998. Some changes also show in some of the songs with regard to singing, using some new vocal styles (lead vocals as well as backing vocals), but this changing and differing of singing styles is something that the Abyssinians to some degree have always done."

Give it credit on its own merits

Sean M. Kelly | Portland, Oregon United States | 09/19/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I needed to listen to the Abyssinians' latest effort several times before I could decide what was bothering me about it...when I did, I realized that it was ME, and not the cd, that was bothering me so much. I had too many expectations when it came to the songs on here. I sub-consciously wanted another "Satta Massagana" album, knowing full well that the trio(happily reunited and together) that made that album is 30 years older now...After realizing the error of my thinking, I was able to re-listen to this album and enjoy it greatly. No, it is NOT "Satta Massagana," (which I highly recommend) but tracks like "Ethiopia," and "Power Over Evil" still show the trio's spiritual roots are fully intact.....A stronger social conscious has emerged from the trio, as well, as "Child Abuse" and the interesting "$19.95 plus tax" shows.Overall, the trio has aged gracefully, and while the harmonies aren't as crisp as they were many years ago, they still hold well, making for an enjoyable experience- when taken on its own merits."

Nothing like the original group with their roots music-70's.

Sean M. Kelly | 09/06/1999

(3 out of 5 stars)

"After waiting so long, I was expecting much more roots type music with the cool tones they are known for. Where did all the experience from the 60's & 70's go? The rhythms are less than Abyssinians style. Sorry, I grew up on this music and this one is not up to par."