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 ethnicity.Grounds, Friday 10 November 2023 - MASSADA
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.Massada's Astaganaga, By Lutgard Mutsaers - (2023) ISBN: HB: 978-1-5013-7257-5 - Page 39 Their debut album Astaganaga was released in that year. The two hit singles "Latin Dance" and "Dansa" are from that album.Grounds, Friday 10 November 2023 - MASSADA Both songs spent eight weeks on the Dutch charts, peaking at 17 and 23 respectively.Dutch Charts - MASSADA, MASSADA IN DUTCH CHARTS,Singles
The group's influences include the groups Malo, Escena and El Chicano. Early on they were compared to Santana but at the time they were not familiar with the group.Gebouw-T, 1 November 2019 - MASSADA: ‘WE WERDEN VERGELEKEN MET SANTANA, MAAR DIE KENDEN WE DESTIJDS NIET EENS’ - Door Willem Jongeneelen
Career 1980s On the week of 3 May 1980, Cash Box showed that their single "Sajang é" was at no 1 in the Dutch International Best Sellers, Top Ten 45s chart.Cash Box, May 3, 1980 - Page 37 INTERNATIONAL, INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLERS, The Netherlands, TOP TEN 45s It had actually been at that position earlier.Dutch Charts - MASSADA - SAJANG É
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.Cash Box, July 26, 1980 - Page 32, INTERNATIONAL, INTERNATIONAL DATELINE, The Netherlands
They recorded the song "Vahevala"Top 40 - VAHEVALA, massada which was originally a hit for Loggins and Messina in 1972,Billboard, May 6, 1972 - Page 78 Billboard HOT 100 For Week ending May 6, 1972, THIS WEEK 84, LAST WEEK 85, Weeks On Chart 4Session Days - 1972 Loggins & Messina – Vahevala (US:#84) and covered by Sugar Cane in 1979.Music Week, February 24, 1979 - Page 31 MUSIC WEEK FACT SHEETS COMPILED BY TONY JASPER, SINGLES Massada's version was backed with "Trust In Me" which was composed by De Queljoe, J. Manuhutu, and E. Manuhutu, and released in 1986.Top 40 - VAHEVALA, massada Music trade magazine Eurotipsheet reported that it was added to the playlist of Radio Veronica on the week of 1 March.Eurotipsheet, Volume 3 - No 8 - Week of March 1st, 1986 - Page 20 CORRESPONDENT REPORTS, HOLLAND, VERONICA - Hilversum It managed to peak at no. 14 on the Dutch Tipparade chart.Top 40 - VAHEVALA, massada, TIPPARADE
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
Further reading flickr – Massada Dutch postcard Latin World NL – Massada @ Huizen
References
External links Discogs – Massada (2) Countdown channel, Mar 2, 2021 – Massada - Vahevala | COUNTDOWN (1986) (video) Massada – Topic channel, Jul 21, 2022 - I Never Had a Love Like This Before AJPF Official Channel, Nov 19, 2020 – Artists' Interview | Episode 1 // Johnny Manuhutu, lead singer of Massada group (video)