Cymande is one of those bands that you may recognize, even if you don't think you do. Their original lineup produced remarkable funk-infused tracks, merging socially aware lyrics with a jazz-like flexibility. Adding influences from their Caribbean roots and a grasp of West African rhythms creates a powerful and lasting impact.
Unfortunately, the predominantly white British music industry in the 70s failed to appreciate their value. Despite gaining significant attention in the U.S., Cymande disbanded; however, rather than marking the end of their journey, this turned out to be just the beginning.
“Life is strange,” co-founder Patrick Patterson shares with CLASH. Both he and Steven Scipio now reside in Anguilla but have returned to London to reconnect with their origins and promote Cymande’s new album 'Renascence'. This project represents a long-awaited second chapter – after gaining recognition among rare groove enthusiasts, Cymande emerged as one of the most-sampled groups during hip-hop's prime, and recent packed live performances highlighted the joy embedded in their music.
“To have this second chance,” Steven notes, “is amazing. The band didn’t receive the acknowledgment we felt we deserved. We owe much to the younger musicians and rap artists who recognized something in our music and incorporated elements of it, keeping it alive. For many, it’s familiar to them – not necessarily in its original form, but through its integration into other music.”
Looking for examples? De La Soul’s 'Change In Speak' samples Cymande’s track 'Bra'. The group was also sampled by EPMD and MC Solaar, while The Fugees paid a substantial fee for the rights to ‘Dove’.
“It was my kids who pointed this out to me,” Steven chuckles. “My eldest son exclaimed that a certain song sounded like ours!” “It’s truly rewarding,” Patrick adds. “Firstly, it’s gratifying that younger artists find inspiration in our music for their creativity. Additionally, their work introduces a new audience to us as young fans trace everything back to its source.”
The new album 'Renascence' is a whirlwind of creativity. It is lush, featuring full string arrangements for the first time, and includes special contributions from Soul II Soul’s Jazzie B and BRIT award winner Celeste. “It was a pleasure to collaborate with her,” Patrick shares about the vocalist, a longtime admirer who reached out to Cymande over a year ago.
“We met one day in New York, shared some ideas, and came up with something special,” he explains. “We returned to England to finalize it. She’s an incredibly talented artist!”
The album's vastness and inherent sense of funk reflect Cymande’s longstanding artistic mission. One reason the music industry struggled to appreciate their brilliance during the band’s original phase was their sonic complexity – they were simply unclassifiable. “We could have easily followed the path of many other bands at that time,” Steven observes, “but we didn’t aim to be commercial. Our roots are in jazz, and we wanted to craft our own music. We never intended to chase commercial success, but things tend to progress in unexpected ways.”
In their conversations, the duo is lively and endlessly engaging. As depicted in the film 'Getting It Back: The Story Of Cymande', their newfound recognition has been a long time coming. Steven Scipio mentions that he designed the artwork for their early albums – the original copies are long lost in some record company storage.
“We always believed we were a significant band, even if we weren’t commercially successful,” he reflects. “We felt there should be some acknowledgment of our musical efforts. Being overlooked by the record industry at that time left a sour impression on us.”
“We wanted to go far with our music,” Patrick adds. “We aimed to create original sounds that resonated. Our music reflected our feelings, but it was also shaped by our surroundings. We tried to share not just our emotions, but also what the Black experience was like in the UK during that era.”
This sense of purpose and pure joy illuminates Cymande’s live performances. CLASH experienced their set at last summer’s All Points East festival in East London and was struck by how relevant their music feels today – there’s a connection between Cymande and contemporary acts like Ezra Collective or Nubya Garcia. “It’s organic music,” Steven reflects. “There’s nothing artificial about it. It’s genuine. People are exposed to so much disposable music, and they crave authentic experiences with real depth of emotion.”
Throughout the remainder of the year, Cymande will be touring, culminating in a historic show at London’s O2 Academy Brixton. Their original headquarters from the early 70s was just a mile away, marking this performance as another major milestone. “There’s a saying that sometimes success comes too soon,” Steven points out. “At times, you might not be mature enough to fully appreciate it. I believe we now have a deeper
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Cymande is one of those bands that you might recognize, even if you believe you don't. Their original lineup created some remarkable funk-infused tracks.