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"
Promised Heights
Cymande Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The Formula
There Shines Our Promised Land
Love makes us strong
don't close your eyes
you're not alone.
When you're out of control
I will guide you down,
Feed on my energy
You'll be amazed how brave we can be
I'll take the pain - I'll take the pain away.
I'll share your laughter.
dream your first dream with me
thousands of light years from here -
Love makes us strong
open your mind,
we can do no wrong.
There are others who think
life is worth fighting for
till we win freedom.
There is a sanctuary, beyond this place, this universe
so far from our time, another frequency -
and one perfect reason.
dream your first dream with me
thousands of light years from here
we can go there
there shines our promised land
you'll smile in wonder.
There's light and there's water
pastures green and no hunger,
under another sun
and there's someone like you -
it's no strangers face
it's your reflection
we can go there
dream your first dream with me
thousands of light years from here
we can go there.
There shines our promised land - we can go there
you'll smile in wonder - love makes us strong.
The lyrics to Cymande's song "Promised Heights" describe a dream-like journey towards a utopian world that exists beyond our present reality. The singer of the song offers to guide and protect their companion through this journey, ensuring that they won't fall or fail. The first verse, which includes lines such as "Love makes us strong" and "I'll take the pain away," suggests that this journey requires courage and perseverance, and that love is the driving force behind it. The second verse expands on this idea, suggesting that there are others who share this belief in the value of life and the fight for freedom.
The chorus brings the listener back to the idea of this "promised land" that exists beyond our current reality. The singer describes it as a place of abundance, where there is light, water, green pastures, and no hunger. They encourage their companion to dream with them, and to imagine this place thousands of light years away. This dream represents hope and possibility, and the singer believes that by sharing in it, they can make it a reality.
Overall, "Promised Heights" is a song about the power of love and imagination to transcend our present difficulties and create a better world. The lyrics are both comforting and inspiring, offering a vision of hope and possibility for the future.
Line by Line Meaning
Thinkman
Referring to the artist, Cymande is acknowledging their own existence.
The Formula
Cymande refers to some kind of system or procedure for achieving a goal.
There Shines Our Promised Land
Cymande speaks of a place that represents hope and a better future.
Love makes us strong
Cymande believes that love is a powerful force that can help overcome challenges.
don't close your eyes
Cymande urges the listener to stay alert and aware of their surroundings.
you're not alone.
Cymande assures the listener that they have support and are not isolated.
When you're out of control
Cymande acknowledges that sometimes things can become chaotic and difficult to manage.
I will guide you down,
Cymande promises to offer help and direction in times of need.
I won't let you fall
Cymande promises to prevent the listener from experiencing failure or negative outcomes.
Feed on my energy
Cymande offers their own strength and vitality to the listener.
You'll be amazed how brave we can be
Cymande believes in the strength and courage of the listener, and promises to help them discover it.
I'll take the pain - I'll take the pain away.
Cymande promises to alleviate any physical or emotional suffering experienced by the listener.
I'll share your laughter.
Cymande promises to share joy and happiness with the listener.
dream your first dream with me
Cymande invites the listener to imagine a desirable future together.
thousands of light years from here -
Cymande speaks of a distant and otherworldly location.
open your mind,
Cymande encourages the listener to be receptive to new ideas and possibilities.
we can do no wrong.
Cymande believes in the righteousness and success of their shared vision.
There are others who think
Cymande acknowledges the existence of other people who share similar beliefs and goals.
life is worth fighting for
Cymande believes that existence is worth preserving and protecting.
till we win freedom.
Cymande believes in the eventual achievement of liberty and autonomy for themselves and the listener.
There is a sanctuary, beyond this place, this universe
Cymande speaks of a place that represents safety and refuge from the difficulties of the world.
so far from our time, another frequency -
Cymande speaks of a distant and otherworldly location, possibly implying a dimension or plane of existence that operates differently than our own.
and one perfect reason.
Cymande implies there is a justification or motivation for their shared vision.
there shines our promised land
Cymande refers again to the place of hope and betterment, promising its existence.
you'll smile in wonder.
Cymande promises a feeling of amazement and joy upon reaching the promised land.
There's light and there's water
Cymande speaks of basic necessities for survival, possibly symbolizing abundance and prosperity.
pastures green and no hunger,
Cymande speaks of a location with ideal conditions for growth and flourishing.
under another sun
Cymande speaks of a location under a different celestial body, possibly symbolizing an ideal world.
and there's someone like you -
Cymande implies the existence of a like-minded individual or companion.
it's no strangers face
Cymande implies the likeness of this individual to the listener, perhaps symbolizing unity and solidarity.
it's your reflection
Cymande implies the likeness of this individual to the listener, perhaps symbolizing unity and solidarity.
we can go there
Cymande reiterates the possibility of reaching the promised land.
you'll smile in wonder - love makes us strong.
Cymande promises joy and strength upon reaching the promised land, attributing it to love.
Contributed by Evan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@markwajdeman7118
CYMANDE:
-Ray King (vocals, perc)
-Joey Dee (vocals, perc)
-Peter Serreo (tenor sax)
-Derek Gibbs (soprano & alto sax)
-Mike Rose (alto sax, flute, bongos)
-Patrick Patterson (guitar)
-Steve Scipio (bass)
-Sam Kelly (drums)
-Pablo Gonsales (congas)
@diseasefire
Brothers on the slide is an absolute classic if you are a breakdancer
@christopherdiedrich40
Or even if you're just an old man that used to move 🤙🏻 🪂
@poetryinmosean
....or a boogie , freestylin ,shiftless shuffling, body popping , locking, rocking ... son of a gun.💯💫💥
@gilesgrainger9555
Or even if you've got a broken hip! Get grooving!!!
No stopping the moves!
@gilesgrainger9555
It's a nightmare!
On
Wax.......?
@undagroundvangerzmusic
Hip hop before hip hop!!
@jonathanwood1061
One of the most underrated bands of all time. They should be a lot more famous!
@tjwood2511
Seeing this band live at Desert Daze last year was a phenomenal experience!
@charlespancamo9771
that sounds so cool. To see these guys at a top tier psych fest with all the other goodness going on, hell yea!
@georgemeacham8591
what a cracker of an album, thanks for posting, you've made today a rare groove day 🙂