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"
Brother's 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
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 lyrics to Cymande's song "Brothers on the Slide" speak about a group of people who are engaging in illegal or morally questionable activities, likely in a criminal context. The use of the phrase "on the slide" suggests that they are doing so surreptitiously, attempting to avoid detection or consequences. The lyrics also suggest that these individuals are not necessarily happy with this situation and may feel trapped or unable to escape it. The line "You can't win so you know you must lose" illustrates this sense of resignation and hopelessness.
The song also speaks to the idea that these actions will not go unnoticed and that there will be consequences, both legal and personal. The line "Soon you'll be inside" suggests that the individuals in question will be incarcerated or otherwise punished, and the line "Make you pay up all you due" suggests that they may also face financial consequences. The repeated refrain of "We know which way you goin'" reinforces this idea that these actions are being watched and will not go unpunished.
Overall, "Brothers on the Slide" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of engaging in illegal or unethical behavior and the consequences that can come from it.
Line by Line Meaning
Brothers on the slide
Talking about people who are involved in dishonest or illegal activities
Working on the wrong side
Engaging in activities that are morally or legally wrong
What ya gonna do
Asking what the people involved in such activities plan to do to change course
You can't win so you know you must lose
Those engaged in such activities know that they will eventually suffer the consequences of their actions
We know which way you goin'
Those in the song are aware of the people's actions and path towards destruction
What you gonna hide
Questioning if there is more to the situation than what is visible
Reckon your folks late
Implying that the families of those involved may not know or realize the severity of their actions
It's a shame but int no game
Stating the seriousness of the situation and the negative impact it has on those involved
Slowly sliding
The process of getting deeper and deeper into trouble
We're doing all that we can
People around the situation are making efforts to intervene, although it may not be enough to stop the inevitable
But so is the man
The person involved is also making efforts to continue their wrongdoing despite the risks.
Gettin closer day by day
The situation is escalating and the consequences are coming closer
Gonna put you away
The person will be caught and punished for their actions
Soon you'll be inside
The person will be sent to prison or some form of punishment soon
Know or not what they'll do to you
Whether or not the person is aware, there will be consequences to their actions
Make you pay up all you due
The person will have to face all the consequences of their actions, including paying back anything owed
We know which way you goin'
The people around the situation are still aware of the person's actions
We know
The chorus reiterates that they are aware of the person's actions and the inevitable consequences.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, CONEXION MEDIA GROUP, INC.
Written by: BASIL SWABE, JULIAN CHAPMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@t1201971
It's some really powerful lyrics, an older head talking to some young cat about how society is setting him up to get locked up.
Brothers on the slide
What you gonna hide
Reckon your folks late
Its a shame but ain't 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
@imakeWcomments
Snowfall and Top Boy brought me to this banger 🔥
@otto8049
From the depths of the 70's. Are my brothers and sisters still feeling the vibe in 2023?
@emilio337__
Sugar Ray Leonard <3
@tmikew90
Sugar ray highlights video brought me here also 🙌🏾💯
@diegogarcia1753
me tooooo
@epic8961
I thought i was the only one who came from the highlights
@marcoshenrique1163
Kkkkkkkk
@teofinolopez731
Me too from Thailand
@OfficialYoungsTeflon
Snowfall put me on to this. What a jam 😮💨
@helenauburn4550
Me too series 6 - episode 3!