They arrived in London, England from Guyana and Jamaica and developed a subtle, deep funk style heavily influenced by Calypso rhythms, Jazz, African music, and American Soul.
Cymande can now be seen as one of the most sophisticated of the heavy funk acts that evolved in the early 1970s.
By the mid-seventies the band members were going their separate ways. It wasn't 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 DJ's and funk afficionados.
Perhaps the band's best known recording is the soulful dancefloor groove "Bra", later sampled by the American hip-hop group De La Soul.
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 this unique collection of West Indian musicians. He soon signed the band and recorded their intial single "The Message." The single was released by Janus Records, a division of Chess Records. The track reached number 20 on the US R&B and Pop charts. This set the stage for Cymande's self titled release in 1972.
Cymande traveled to New York after the success of the first LP, 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" which shows Cymande developing their distinctive chilled funk/jazz sound was not released in the USA where Cymande had achieved their initial success. Promised Heights included one of their most cherished tracks, "Brothers on the Slide," along with "The Recluse," the downtempo jazz/funk of "Changes," and the slow funk churner "Promised Heights." The tracks "Brothers on the Slide," and "Bra," also were staples of the new Rare Groove/ Deep House scene which developed in London and New York night clubs during the eighties.
Members
* Ray King - Vocals/Percussion
* Steve Scipio - Bass
* Derek Gibbs - Soprano/Alto
* Pablo Gonsales - Congas
* Joey Dee - Vocals/Percussion
* Peter Serreo - Tenor
* Sam Kelly - Drums
* Mike Rose - Alto/Flute/Bongos
* Patrick Patterson - Guitar
* Jimmy Lindsey - Vocals/ Percussion (Promised Heights LP)
Discography
* 1972 - Cymande
* 1973 - Second Time Around
* 1974 - Promised Heights
* 2004 - Renegades of Funk "Best Of Anthology"
* 2007 - Promised Heights "reissue compilation"
In popular culture
* "Bra" is featured on the soundtrack to Spike Lee's 1993 film Crooklyn. "Bra", "Dove", & "The Message" can be heard in his 2002 film 25th Hour.
* "Bra" is sampled by De La Soul in the song "Change in Speak," from 3 Feet High and Rising.
* The instrumental mid-portion of "Bra" was used at both the beginning and ending of John Leguizamo's stage production Sexaholix.
* The Fugees sampled Cymande's "Dove" for the title track of their 1996 second album The Score.
* The Message was resampled for Masta Ace's "Me & The Biz," notably featured in the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, and in 1991 on MC Solaar's "Bouge de là."
* Solo.X sampled "Dove" for the first track on 2007s Limited Edition promotional EP Black September on the song Glass House Theory
* The track "Brothers on the Slide" was featured in the background of the movie Dallas 362.
* British reggae band Aswad covered "The Message" on their 1988 album "Distant Thunder".
* "The Message" was sampled by Ruthless Rap Assassins on their 1990 single "And It Wasn't A Dream"
Brothers On The Slide
Cymande Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Working on the wrong side
What ya gonna do
You can't win so you know you must lose
We know which way you goin'
We know which way you goin'
Brothers on the slide
What you gonna hide
Reckon your folks late
It's a shame but int no game
We know which way you goin'
We know which way you goin'
Slowly sliding
We're doing all that we can
Slowly sliding
But so is the man
Slowly sliding
Gettin closer day by day
Slowly sliding
Gonna put you away
Brothers on the slide
Soon you'll be inside
Know or not what they'll do to you
Make you pay up all you due
We know which way you goin
We know which way you goin
Slowly sliding
We doin' all that we can
Slowly sliding
But so is the man
Slowly sliding
Gettin' closer day by day
Slowly sliding
Gonna put you away
We know which way you goin
We know which way you goin
We know which way you goin
We know
We know which way you goin
We know which way you goin (fade)
The song "Brothers On The Slide" by Cymande is about the struggle of black men who are involved in illegal activities because they feel they have no other options. The lyrics speak about the inevitable consequences of their actions, and how they cannot escape them. The phrase "brothers on the slide" refers to these men who are slowly sliding towards their inevitable fate. The line "working on the wrong side" implies that these men are engaging in activities that are illegal and often lead to prison. The lyrics also reference the men's families and how they will suffer because of their loved ones' decisions.
The chorus emphasizes that the situation of these men is not unique, and those who have chosen a path of crime will not be able to escape justice. The repetition of the line "we know which way you going" implies that there is no hope for the men unless they change their ways. The phrase "slowly sliding, gonna put you away" also highlights the idea that although the men may not see it coming, their actions will inevitably lead to their downfall.
Overall, the song speaks to the societal pressures and economic disadvantages faced by black men in the 1970s and today, and the choices they make as a result.
Line by Line Meaning
Brothers on the slide
A group of people are engaging in illegal activities.
Working on the wrong side
They are doing something morally or legally wrong.
What ya gonna do
What is their plan to get out of this situation?
You can't win so you know you must lose
It is not possible to succeed, so they know they will face consequences.
We know which way you goin'
It is clear what their intentions and actions are.
What you gonna hide
What secrets are they keeping to stay out of trouble?
Reckon your folks late
Their family is not around to help them out.
It's a shame but it ain't no game
Their situation is unfortunate and serious, not a joke.
Slowly sliding
Their situation is deteriorating slowly over time.
We're doing all that we can
Efforts are being made to avoid the consequences.
But so is the man
The authorities are also working to catch them.
Gettin closer day by day
The consequences are becoming more and more imminent.
Gonna put you away
They will face punishment for their actions.
Soon you'll be inside
They will likely end up in prison.
Know or not what they'll do to you
They may not be aware of the severity of their punishment.
Make you pay up all you due
They will have to face the consequences of their actions and pay compensation.
We know which way you goin
Once again, their intentions and actions are clear.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BASIL SWABE, JULIAN CHAPMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind