Massada -

Massada was a Dutch Latin-rock band that released three albums and a live disc between 1978 and 1980 on Kendari Records, followed by a 1981 fifth on Ariola.

Members: Johnny Manuhutu (vocals, percussion), Frans Eschauzier (keyboards, 1973-79), Latul (guitar, 1973-79), Nino Latuny (guitar, 1973-81), Eppy Manahutu (vocals, drums, 1973-?), Zeth Mustamu (percussion, 1973-82), Usje Sabander (bass, 1973-79), Nippy Noya (percussion, 1975-76, 2006-present), Peter Kuyt (trumpet, 1979-82), Walter Sell (keyboards, 1979-?), Jan Stam (saxophone, 1979-82), Rudy de Queljoe (guitar, 1979-present), Turu Leerdam (bass, 1979-?), Martino Latupeirissa (percussion, 1986-89)

Background

Massada formed in 1973 in Huizen, North Holland, when singer-percussionist Johnny Manuhutu reunited with guitarist Chris Latul and bassist Usje Sabander. Drummer Eppy Manuhutu and percussionist Nippy Noya completed the initial lineup.

Johnny Manuhutu was born on September 10, 1948, in Java and arrived in the Netherlands with his family at age two His father, a former soldier in the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL), played guitar and introduced his children to American popular music. The family settled at Kamp Almere, a Moluccan residential camp in Huizen, where Johnny formed the Eagles as a teenager. He initially played guitar but switched to vocals and percussion when Latul arrived from New Guinea. The group included bassist Sabander and drummer Eppy Manuhutu, the younger brother of Johnny. From 1963, the Eagles performed at Moluccan weddings, community celebrations, and nightclubs with a repertoire of American soul and British rock. The musicians also adapted cover material with Latin percussion and samba rhythms.

The Eagles dissolved in the early 1970s. Manuhutu subsequently assembled Massada under a name taken from the ancient fortress in Israel, whose history he associated with the South Moluccan independence movement. The musicians initially covered material by Santana, El Chicano, and Malo. Percussionist Zeth Mustamu joined approximately six months after the formation. Rhythm guitarist Nino Latuny and keyboardist Frans Eschauzier also joined the expanding lineup. Eschauzier previously played in the Leiden groups For M and the Flag.

Massada recruited manager Joke Zonneveld in early 1974 and invested concert earnings in a new public-address system. The musicians pursued engagements outside the Moluccan community and toured the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. In 1975, Massada won a group competition organized by Muziekkrant OOR, which attracted offers from record companies.

Noya left Massada in 1976 to concentrate on paid session engagements and provide for his family. He played percussion on Eli, the 1976 collaborative album by guitarist Jan Akkerman and singer Kaz Lux. Massada continued with Mustamu as the principal percussionist alongside Johnny Manuhutu. The group appeared in 1976 at Het Pakhuis in Heerenveen and at the March 1977 Latin Explosion concert at Paradiso in Amsterdam. On July 30, Massada returned to Paradiso for the Holland Pop Festival, followed by a late-November Latin festival with Salsa Amsterdam and Solat.

By early 1978, the group stabilized as a seven-piece with singer-percussionist Johnny Manuhutu, bassist Usje Sabander, drummer Eppy Manuhutu, percussionist Zeth Mustamu, guitarists Chris Latul and Nino Latuny, and keyboardist Frans Eschauzier. The musicians entered Telstar Studios in Weert to record their debut album Astaganaga for Kendari Records.

Discography:

Astaganaga (1978)
Pukul Tifa (1979)
Pusaka (1980)
Live (1980)
Baru (1981)

References and notes

Tjengkeh — May 1978, No. 1, pp. 6–7. Contemporary interview establishing the dissolution of the Eagles, the five founding Massada musicians, Mustamu’s arrival approximately six months later, Zonneveld’s management role from early 1974, and Noya’s departure for family and employment reasons. Also identifies Eschauzier as the final addition and his earlier membership in the Flag. (Tjengkeh archive)
Massada — OOR Popencyclopedie. Historical entry identifying the Eagles as active from 1963, the second OOR group showcase in 1975, Noya’s departure in 1976, and Hessel de Vries of Sight as an occasional keyboardist. Lists Latuny and Eschauzier among the early additions. Reproduced under the artist biography on Bol. (Bol)
Massada: We werden vergeleken met Santana, maar die kenden we destijds niet eens — Willem Jongeneelen, November 1, 2019. Johnny Manuhutu interview covering his origins in Cirebon, the Eagles, early arrangements, acquisition of concert equipment, performances in three countries, declined recording offers, and Johnny Hoes granting the musicians control over the debut. (Gebouw-T)
507 — Molukkers maken popmuziek: Massada — Harry Knipschild. Historical reconstruction from interviews and period articles. Includes biographical information from Jaap van Eik’s 2004 interview with Manuhutu, the family settlement at Huizen, Chris Latul’s arrival from New Guinea, the naming of Massada, and the 1976 concert at Het Pakhuis. (Harry Knipschild)
Massada — March 4, 1977. Original venue concert listing for the Latin Explosion program at Paradiso in Amsterdam. (Paradiso)
Holland Pop Festival met Carlsberg, Massada — July 30, 1977. Archived concert program identifying Massada and Carlsberg on the Holland Pop Festival bill. (Paradiso)
Latin Festival met Salsa Amsterdam, Massada, Solat, Latin Explosion — November 26, 1977. Archived concert listing confirming the date and participating groups. (Paradiso)
Eli — Jan Akkerman & Kaz Lux (1976). Album personnel confirming Nippy Noya on percussion alongside Pierre van der Linden, Rick van der Linden, and Jasper van ‘t Hof. (Strawberry Bricks)
Frans Eschauzier — Leiden music history. Recollections of the Leiden music circuit identifying Eschauzier with For M, the Flag, and Massada. (Leidse Glibber)
Astaganaga — Massada (1978), KIL 21006 KL. Original LP personnel and production credits, with all seven principal musicians, the Kendari imprint, and Telstar Studios in Weert. (Records Facts)
Over Telstar — Company History. The establishment of the Telstar record company by Johnny Hoes in 1963, its Weert recording facilities, and its expansion into Dutch pop recordings. (Telstar Music)