British funk outfit Cymande (pronounced Sah-mahn-day) was among the first U.K. bands to merge African rhythms with rock, funk, and soul alongside calypso, reggae and modern jazz-funk. Their 1972 eponymous debut featured the hit single "The Message" and the dancefloor staple "Bra." The rhythmic diversity and vocal harmony on 1973's Second Time Round offered their own unique brand of pan-African, psychedelic funk, and soul. 1974's Promised Heights expanded that sound while reflecting the creative influences of James Brown, Earth, Wind & Fire, Temptations, and Curtis Mayfield. Underappreciated and woefully overlooked, they went on extended hiatus. Their recordings were oft-reissued and, after abundant sampling by rappers and DJs, won an army of new fans. Cymande re-formed during the 21st century and released A Simple Act of Faith in 2015. In 2024, their charting single "How We Roll" featured Soul II Soul's Jazzie B and inspired critical acclaim. They followed with the full-length Renascence in January 2025.
Hometown
London, England
Genre
R&B/Soul
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