About

— The Analog Vault // Essential Listening —

Although they were largely underappreciated during their initial run in the 1970s, Cymande’s legacy has grown exponentially larger in the half century since. Sampled by hip-hop luminaries like Grandmaster Flash, De La Soul, Wu-Tang Clan, Gang Starr and The Fugees - their music has thankfully been rediscovered by subsequent generations, who’ve retroactively enshrined the British-based octet as a cornerstone of the funk fusion cannon. Composed of self-taught musicians from Guyana, Jamaica and St. Vincent - the band’s journey begins with their wonderful self-titled debut in 1972.

Cymande introduced the world to their distinctive blend of funk, soul, jazz and rock - which the group rooted in the reggae, calypso and African polyrhythms of their collective heritage. The result was the birth of what they called “nyah-rock,” which takes flight on this enthralling album. — The Analog Vault

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Invigorating head music done Rastafarian style by Cymande. "Zion I" is a spiritual chant put to music, setting the mood for Cymande. A laid-back "One More" lulls you into subliminal meditation before "Getting It Back" jolts you into some scintillating Jamaican funk-fusion. There's a message in many of Cymande's cuts, with "Listen," and "Bra" (a recognition of the women's lib movement), the most inspiring. Both are sung with passion, and are skillfully executed; the former is slow and painstaking in its message, while "Bra" slaps you upside the head with a stirring sax solo and bass-fueled vamp. 

An air of supreme coolness permeates Cymande, unusual for a first effort written by members of the band. Cymande sound like they have done this before; nowhere is this more evident than on the beautiful "Dove," a gorgeous concoction of lead guitar, tambourines, haunting backing vocals, and percussion, with the horns used as sparingly as table-seasoning on a gourmet dish. Along with "Bra," the group's most popular cut is "The Message" - it's difficult keeping body parts still on this grooving mutha. All in all, Cymande is a marvelous collection that premiered a fine funk band. — (via AllMusic)

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Label: Partisan Records
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered
Country: Europe
Reissued: 2024 / Original Release: 1972
Genre: Rock, Reggae, Funk / Soul
Style: Blues Rock, Roots Reggae, Soul, Afrobeat

File under: TAV Essential Listening
File under: Funk / Soul
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