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"
Getting It Back
Cymande Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause my name is gettin' around
I said the whole world is lettin' me down now
'Cause I don't know where I'm bound
Yes, I guess I'm goin' down, down, down
And I feel I'm gonna drown
Yeah, I guess I'm goin' down, down, down
Once I used to be high
Now all my friends pass me by
I got teardrops in my eye
Somebody else got all the smile
Because I guess im goin' down, down, down
And I feel im gonna drown
I guess im goin' down, down, down
And I feel im gonna drown
Goin' down, down, down
Goin' down, down, down
Goin' down, down, down
Goin' down
Got to help me now
Beacause I'm going down, down, down
Down, down, down, down
I said right down to the ground now
The song "Getting It Back" by Cymande is a soulful tune about the feeling of being let down and falling from grace. The lyrics are written from the perspective of someone who feels like they have lost everything that they once had. The opening lines, "I don't wanna feel down, 'cause my name is gettin' around" suggest that the person is struggling with their reputation and how they are perceived by others. They feel as though they are being talked about, but not in a positive light. The line "I said the whole world is lettin' me down now" indicates that the person feels like everything is going wrong, and that they are powerless to change it.
As the song progresses, the singer continues to describe their downward spiral. They recount how they used to be "high" and have friends, but now feel like they are all alone. They have "teardrops in [their] eye" and envy somebody else who seems to have everything that they once had. The repetition of the phrase "I guess I'm going down, down, down" reinforces the feeling of inevitability, and that the person feels like they are powerless to stop their descent.
Overall, "Getting It Back" is a song that explores the feelings of despair and hopelessness that can come from losing everything that you once valued. The lyricist does an excellent job of painting a vivid picture of someone who is struggling with their sense of self-worth and their place in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't wanna feel down
I do not wish to feel sad or discouraged
'Cause my name is gettin' around
Because my name is becoming well-known
I said the whole world is lettin' me down now
I feel like the entire world is failing me at this moment
'Cause I don't know where I'm bound
Because I'm unsure of my future path and direction
Yes, I guess I'm goin' down, down, down
I assume that my situation is worsening
And I feel I'm gonna drown
I feel overwhelmed and suffocated
Once I used to be high
I was once successful and content
Now all my friends pass me by
All my acquaintances have surpassed me in success
I got teardrops in my eye
I'm crying due to my current state
Somebody else got all the smile
Someone else received all the good fortune and happiness
Goin' down, down, down
My state is declining rapidly
Got to help me now
I require assistance/salvation
Beacause I'm going down, down, down
My situation is getting worse by the minute
Down, down, down, down
I'm experiencing a major downfall
I said right down to the ground now
I have fallen to the point of complete defeat
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PATRICK PATTERSON, STEVE SCIPIO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@traceywoods405
Amazing love your music 🎵 xx
@raoulberdaguer1928
The drummer is light as a feather.Amazing!
@theascendunt9960
"Which is who I am. Your king."
@Synto56
FARGO!!!
@jacko4206
Thank you for your music cymande❤️
@undercoveragentfortheblues1723
simply brilliant !
@singed4203
What an extraordinary vibe, hugs from Brazil
@SalmonFume
The military drill sargeant vocal sample thing was actually done before on the score by the fugees, but they sampled a cymande guitar part and the lyrics were made into the beat: soldiers ... left right left right left right
@elizabethwilson8261
So GOOD! Just heard this first time today 7/16/23 looking for more CYMANDE ❕
@triple_gem_shining
BROTHAS ON THE SLIDE! WORKING FOR THE WRONG SIDE 🎉