A Jamaican vocal harmony trio, formed in 1968 by founding members Donald Manning, Bernard Collins and Linford Manning. Linford Manning along with another brother, Carlton Manning was a member of the famed 60’s group, Carlton and the Shoes. The next year the trinity of harmonic voices drafted the blueprint of a song, “Satta Massagana” that would launch them into the cannon of Reggae music greats. “Satta Massagana” became one of reggae’s most popular songs; a Rastafarian hymn based on the Ethiopian Amharic language. This hymn was released on the most famous Jamaican label of them all, Coxsone Dodd’s Studio One. Satta’s spiritual and universal message became an anthem that was heard on the radios, in the dancehalls and in the churches of Jamaica. It was also covered by many other International artists’ including Third World, which raised the status of their work to Legendary Reggae. A string of hits followed including “DECLARATION OF RIGHTS”, “YIMMASGAN” and “LET MY DAYS BE LONG”. Early albums were a collection of singles recorded throughout the 1970’s on their own label, Clinch, and include “FORWARD ON TO ZION” (1976) and “ARISE” (1978). Heartbeat Records released “SATTA MASSAGANA”, a collection of their greatest early hits, in 1993, and five years later, “DECLARATION OF DUB” the follow up Dub Reggae version of their Satta Massagana album

The group split in 1980, and was inactive for most of the decade. In 1989, Donald, Bernard and Linford joined together again to record over the next three years. These sessions resulted as the originally released album, “$19.95 + TAX” in 1995 with a very limited number of CD’s printed. Artists Only! Records realized the importance of this album and in 1998 re-titled and re-released this album as “REUNION”. “REUNION” now stands strong as one of The Abyssinians greatest albums.

The The Abyssinians have been touring since early 1997, including dates at Reggae on the River, Sierra Nevada World Music Festival and The Bob Marley Day Festival in California 1998. The Abyssinians were also nominated for a 1999 Tamika Award with the ceremonies in New York City. The 2001 Spring tour included a spellbinding performance with multiple encores at The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. In 2005 Bernard Collins rejoined Donald Manning, and “Star “ David Morrison to continue to tour internationally. The backing band occasionally includes up to five of Donald Manning’s sons who are in high demand as studio and touring musicians in their own right.