Massada was a Dutch band that had a funk, rock and pop background with Latin influences. They had several hits in the Netherlands, such as "", "Dansa (Don't Quit Dancing)" in 1978, "Unknown Destination" in 1979, "Feelin' Lonely", " Sajang é" and "I Never Had A Love Like This Before" in 1980.

Background

The group was founded by . Much of the group were of

Moluccan Moluccans are the Melanesian-Austronesian and Papuan-speaking ethnic groups indigenous to the Maluku Islands (also called the Moluccas). The region was historically known as the Spice Islands, and today consists of two Indonesian provinces of ...

ethnicity. According to the book in the 33⅓ series, ''Massada's Astaganaga'' by Lutgard Mutsaers, they had opportunities to record since 1975. But due to concessions, the group declined the offers. However, in 1978, things were set to change. Their debut album ''Astaganaga'' was released in that year. The two hit singles "Latin Dance" and "Dansa" are from that album. Both songs spent eight weeks on the Dutch charts, peaking at 17 and 23 respectively. The group's influences include the groups

Malo Mal, which in Spanish means ''bad or evil'', may also refer to: Places *Malo, Italy, a town *Malo Island, formerly known as St. Bartholomew, Vanuatu *Malo (Solomon Islands), an island * Malo, Washington, Ferry County, Washington, United States * ...

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and

El Chicano El Chicano was an American brown-eyed soul group from Los Angeles, California, whose style incorporated various modern music genres including rock, funk, soul, blues, jazz, and salsa. The group's name came from the word Chicano, a term for Un ...

. Early on they were compared to

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but at the time they were not familiar with the group.

Career

1980s

On the week of 3 May 1980, ''

Cash Box ''Cashbox'', also known as ''Cash Box'', is an American music industry trade magazine, originally published weekly from July 1942 to November 1996. Ten years after its dissolution, it was revived and continues as ''Cashbox Magazine'', an online ...

'' showed that their single " Sajang é" was at no 1 in the Dutch International Best Sellers, Top Ten 45s chart. It had actually been at that position earlier. It was reported by ''Cash Box'' in the 26 July 1980 issue that Massada were finialising their contract with their label Telstar Records. Their last album that was recorded at three different locations would be with the current label, however their next album would be produced and recorded by their own company. They recorded the song "

Vahevala "Vahevala" is a song that has been recorded by a multitude of artists over the years. It was originally a single by Loggins and Messina which became a hit for the duo in 1972. Background The song was written by Dan Loggins and his friend Dann Lot ...

" which was originally a hit for

Loggins and Messina Loggins and Messina was an American pop rock duo consisting of Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina, who achieved major chart success during the early-mid 1970s. Among their well-known songs are " Danny's Song", " House at Pooh Corner", and " Your M ...

in 1972, and covered by

Sugar Cane Sugarcane or sugar cane is a species of tall, Perennial plant, perennial grass (in the genus ''Saccharum'', tribe Andropogoneae) that is used for sugar Sugar industry, production. The plants are 2–6 m (6–20 ft) tall with stout, jointed, fib ...

in 1979. Massada's version was backed with "Trust In Me" which was composed by De Queljoe, J. Manuhutu, and E. Manuhutu, and released in 1986. Music trade magazine '' Eurotipsheet'' reported that it was added to the playlist of

Radio Veronica Radio Veronica was an offshore radio station that began broadcasting in 1960, and was on air for over fourteen years. It was set up by independent radio, TV and household electrical retailers in the Netherlands, to stimulate the sales of ra ...

on the week of 1 March. It managed to peak at no. 14 on the Dutch

Tipparade The Dutch Top 40 () is a weekly music chart compiled by ''Stichting Nederlandse Top 40''. It started as a radio program titled "Veronica Top 40", on the offshore station Radio Veronica in 1965. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, wh ...

chart.

Later years

Some five decades after their formation, they regrouped for a fifty-year anniversary tour in September 2023. The line up at that time was Johnny Manuhutu on lead vocals and percussion, Rudy de Queljoe on guitar, Julian Souisa on guitar, James Sabandar on bass, Alvin Manuhuw on drums, Jopie Manuhutu on timbales and percussion, Freddy Anindjola on keyboards and synthesizer, Daniël Bloem-Beretty on congas and percussion and Nippy Noya on congas and percussion.Poppodium Boerderij
MASSADA 50 YEARS ANNIVERSARY TOUR
/ref>

References

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External links