Cymande

Biography

Cymande is a pioneering British funk group formed in the early 1970s in South London by a collective of Black musicians who had emigrated from the Caribbean as children. The band was founded by bassist Steve Scipio and guitarist Patrick Patterson, both of whom grew up in Balham, South London, after moving from Guyana. Drawing on their Caribbean heritage and the vibrant multicultural environment of London, Cymande developed a unique sound that fused jazz, funk, soul, reggae, calypso, and African rhythms, resulting in a style that was both deeply political and spiritual.

Cymande's debut album, 'Cymande' (1972), along with 'Second Time Round' (1973) and 'Promised Heights' (1974), showcased their innovative blend of genres and quickly found an audience in the United States, where they became the first British band to perform at the Apollo Theater in New York and toured with soul legend Al Green. Despite this success abroad, the band faced indifference and prejudice from the UK music industry, leading to their initial split in 1975. Over time, however, their music gained cult status, especially among hip-hop, house, and rare groove communities, with tracks like 'Bra' and 'The Message' being widely sampled by artists such as De La Soul, Fugees, and Wu-Tang Clan. Cymande eventually reunited decades later, enjoying renewed acclaim and recognition for their foundational role in Black British music and their lasting influence across genres.

Fun Facts

• Cymande's name is derived from a calypso word meaning 'dove', symbolizing peace and love.
• They were the first British band to perform at New York's legendary Apollo Theater.
• Their music was accidentally discovered by producer John Schroeder, who signed them after stumbling upon a rehearsal.
• Cymande's tracks have been sampled by dozens of hip-hop and dance artists, making them a foundational influence in crate-digging and rare groove scenes.

Members

• Jimmy Lindsay
• Patrick Patterson
• Michael Rose
• Steve Scipio

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Caribbean musical traditions - Cymande's members were deeply influenced by the calypso, reggae, and African rhythms of their Caribbean heritage, which shaped their musical style. (All early albums ('Cymande', 'Second Time Round', 'Promised Heights')) [1960s-1970s]

Key Collaborators

• Patrick Patterson - Co-founder, guitarist, and songwriter; lifelong collaborator with Steve Scipio. (All Cymande albums) [1971–present]
• Steve Scipio - Co-founder, bassist, and songwriter; central figure in the band's creative direction. (All Cymande albums) [1971–present]
• Ray King - Vocalist and percussionist; contributed to the band's signature sound. (Early albums) [1970s]
• Mike Rose - Alto saxophonist, flautist, and percussionist; key member in the band's arrangements. (Early albums) [1970s]
• Pablo Gonsales - Congas player; provided the band's distinctive rhythmic foundation. (Early albums) [1970s]
• Joey Dee - Vocalist and percussionist; contributed to the band's vocal and percussive textures. (Early albums) [1970s]
• Sam Kelly - Drummer; integral to the band's groove and live performances. (Early albums) [1970s]
• Derek Gibbs - Saxophonist; contributed to the band's jazz and funk elements. (Early albums) [1970s]
• Jimmy Lindsay - Vocalist and percussionist; featured on 'Promised Heights' LP. (Promised Heights) [1974]

Artists Influenced

• De La Soul - Sampled Cymande's track 'Bra', bringing their music to a new generation of hip-hop fans. ('Bra' sampled in De La Soul's work) [1990s]
• Fugees - Sampled Cymande's music, incorporating their grooves into hip-hop. (Various tracks) [1990s]
• Wu-Tang Clan - Sampled Cymande's tracks, demonstrating the band's influence on East Coast hip-hop. (Various tracks) [1990s]
• MC Solaar - French rapper who sampled Cymande, highlighting their international influence. (Various tracks) [1990s]
• Jazzie B (Soul II Soul) - Cited Cymande as an inspiration for his own groundbreaking work in UK soul and dance music. (Soul II Soul projects) [1980s–1990s]
• Mark Ronson - Publicly acknowledged Cymande's influence on his music and production style. (Various productions) [2000s–present]
• Loyle Carner - Cited as a fan and influenced by Cymande's legacy in British music. (Recent works) [2010s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Brothers On The Slide (Promised Heights)
2. Dove (Cymande)
3. Bra (Cymande)
4. One More (Cymande)
5. The Message (Cymande)
6. Brothers On The Slide (Promised Heights)
7. Coltrane (Renascence)
8. Coltrane - Crooked Man Remix
9. Getting It Back (Cymande)
10. Dove (Cymande)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #british, #funk, #nyahbinghi