Cymande

Career

The group developed a subtle and complex, deep funk style influenced by calypso rhythms, jazz, African music, American soul and UK rock of the time. By the mid-1970s the band members were going their separate ways, and the group disbanded in 1974. It was not until 20 years later that they reaped any financial rewards, as their music became a popular source for samplers. Cymande's original albums are still widely sought-after by DJs and funk aficionados. Perhaps the band's best known recording is the soulful dancefloor filler called "Bra", which was later sampled by the American hip-hop group De La Soul and used as a breakbeat record by Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash.

Cymande was accidentally discovered by English producer John Schroeder in a Soho, London club where they were rehearsing. He was there to see a rock band but the gig had been cancelled, and he stumbled upon these West Indian musicians. He soon signed the band and recorded their initial single "The Message." The single was released by Janus Records, a division of Chess Records. The track reached #20 on the US Billboard R&B chart. This set the stage for Cymande's self-titled release in 1972.

Cymande traveled to New York after the success of the first album, and began a tour of the US with Al Green. They also shared a few bills with the Latin funk ensemble Mandrill. They played a few important venues, including The Apollo, and played a gig on Soul Train.

The band released three LPs for Janus. However, their final album, Promised Heights, was not released in the US, where Cymande had achieved their initial success. Promised Heights included "Brothers on the Slide", "The Recluse" and "Promised Heights". The tracks "Brothers on the Slide" and "Bra" also were staples of the rare groove scene that developed in London and New York nightclubs during the 1980s.

2012 reunion

Sometime in mid-2012, it was announced that the band were to release a new album sometime before the end of the year. The reunion included the original core band members, producer John Schroeder and engineer Alan Florence, with initial rehearsals at Panic rehearsal rooms, recording at Grange Farm Studios, Cambs, in 2012, and a scheduled tour to accompany the album in 2012 - including a date at the London Jazz Festival in November.

However, in October 2012, a message was posted on the Cymande website stating: "Due to circumstances beyond their control, Cymande has had to postpone plans for live shows, including the show scheduled for Fairfield Halls on 18th November, until the New Year. We were looking forward to reuniting with our fans after so many years and are greatly disappointed. However, we look forward to live performances in the New Year. We also hope to have further news regarding the release of our anticipated new album. The recording of that album is now complete and will shortly be mixed in readiness for release. We will continue to post updates on this website.”

2014 reunion

Six core members of the band reunited in 2014 in advance of the new album and begin a European tour, with the first announced date on Thursday, 25 September 2014, at London's Koko.

The core members were joined by Ray Carless - Saxophones, Adrian Reid - Keyboards and original member Trevor White - Vocals for this tour which included the UK, France, Belgium and Germany.

In 2016 a new tour was announced which included a long-awaited return to the USA covering venues in LA, San Francisco, New York and the Bonnaroo Festival in Tennessee. Trevor and Mike were unable to partake in the tour due to personal reasons but vocalist Ray Simpson joined the band on Lead Vocals and saxophonist Desmond Atwell, one of the original members of the band, came back in to tour with them. [1]

Original members

Core members 2014

Discography

Notable usage

Cymande's music has been used in many notable films, videos, and theater productions:

Sampling and covers

In all Cymande's songs have been sampled or sections of music re-played on at least 80 commercial releases, possibly more.

Other