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"
Bra
Cymande Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We have been left outside
Looking at passions dying
Emotions grow strong all the time
But it's alright, we can still go on
But it's alright, we can still go on
But it's alright, we can still go on
They might have said we're lying
No matter how hard we try
Those that are watch them crying
So as the helpless die
But it's alright, we can still go on
But it's alright, we can still go on
But it's alright, we can still go on
But it's alright, we can still go on
Time has been lost in trying
We have been left outside
Looking at passions dying
Emotions grow stronger all the time
But it's alright, we can still go on
But it's alright, we can still go on
But it's alright, we can still go on
But it's alright, we can still go on
Alright still go on
Alright still go on
Alright still go on
The first verse of the song "Bra" by Cymande speaks about the passage of time and the struggles that have been faced along the way. The lyrics suggest that they have been left outside of something, and that their emotions are growing stronger all the time. Despite these challenges, the chorus repeats the phrase "But it's alright, we can still go on" four times, implying a sense of resilience and determination.
The second verse brings in an additional perspective, suggesting that there are people who doubt them and accuse them of lying. The lyrics also state that there are people who watch others suffer and cry, but are unable to help them. Once again, the chorus repeats the same phrase, asserting that they can still move forward.
Overall, the lyrics to "Bra" convey a sense of perseverance through difficult times, and encourage the listener to keep going despite obstacles. The repetitive chorus underscores the importance of this message, driving home the idea that it's important to keep trying, even when things aren't going well.
Line by Line Meaning
Time has been lost in trying
We've spent a lot of time trying but haven't accomplished anything meaningful.
We have been left outside
We've been excluded from something or somewhere, and we feel rejected.
Looking at passions dying
We see people losing interest in what they used to be passionate about, which is discouraging.
Emotions grow strong all the time
Our emotions are intensifying with each passing day, and we feel overwhelmed.
But it's alright, we can still go on
Despite all the difficulties, we can still persevere and move forward with hope.
They might have said we're lying
Some people may accuse us of not telling the truth, and that hurts us deeply.
No matter how hard we try
We're giving our best effort, but it doesn't seem to be good enough.
Those that are watch them crying
People who see our struggles may feel sympathetic and even shed tears for us.
So as the helpless die
Despite our best efforts, some people may perish due to circumstances beyond our control.
Alright still go on
We can continue to be resilient and move forward, even in tough times.
Contributed by Mackenzie R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Kissmylipsification261
Im right back in 1972 oooooWeeeee British FUNK!!!!!!!!!!!
Time has been lost in trying
We have been left outside
Looking at passions dying
Emotions grow stronger all the time
But it's alright, we can still go on
But it's alright, we can still go on
But it's alright, we can still go on
But it's alright, we can still go on
Alright still go on
Alright still go on
Alright still go on
@jimmyadams6635
I saw them perform at the Apollo when this song was red hot. I bought it then, Frankie Crocker on WBLS 107.5 FM use to wear this out on the airwaves. I was in a club downtown Manhattan, a few days after I had seen Cymande at the Apollo and they were chilling in the club.I recognized Paublo the conga player and a few other band members and told the DJ they were in the house and to give them a NY welcome. He put on Bra and announced them, I bought them a drink and they were surprised that someone recognized them in America…I’m 75 years old and it was like yesterday. I still groove to the old and new music because I have grandchildren to keep up with…Jam on my people!
@user-pb9mp1je1p
Damn...you went all the way back to the Chief Rocker Mr Crocker
@marlonprescott638
Very cool love it
@lisamcd6254
GREAT memory!
@user-jd9ri2mo1f
YESSSS I'm 67, this was the jam back in the day❤
@frontrow848
I am 76 and I lived in NYC when this came out. I was working in Harlem. It brings out a lot of memories.
@theodorejohnson7395
This horn section is killin it
@JaiceyLynnWins
I can’t believe that they’re using this song in CarGurus commercials on tv in 2023. I felt like Cymande was an awesome secret I shared with everyone who was willing to listen for the last 30 years since I discovered this album in Camelot music.
@rickwilliams3757
I was listening to this group when I was in school in Buffalo New York in the '70s... And I too was very surprised to hear them on a commercial for CarGurus.?!!..Cymande They are truly truly classic (scientists of sound rhythmatically getting down) brings me back to the days when music was music. Each instrument you hear someone is playing it!! There's no computer generated music here. These are professionals!!!... Craftsman!!!
@malvaparker6618
I just heard this song played on a commercial for Car Gurus. I called my girlfriend and we both heard and started thinking of back in the day when we used to dance to this song. At first I thought it was Osibisa. I played the commercial for her and her brother’s phone tracked it to Cymande using a Google feature. We weren’t going to rest until we found out the name of the artist. We already knew the song. OLD SCHOOL IN THE HOUSE FOREVER!!!