Cymande are a long-running U.K. band who merge African rhythms with rock, funk, and soul alongside calypso, reggae, and modern jazz-funk. Their 1972 eponymous debut charted in the U.S. and won airplay in the U.K. and Western Europe. The rhythmic diversity and vocal harmony on 1973's Second Time Round offered their own unique brand of pan-African, psychedelic funk, and soul music. 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, they 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. They followed with the full-length Renascence in January 2025.
Hometown
London, England
Genre
R&B/Soul
Members of Cymande
Cymande was formed in 1971. Members of Cymande include, or have included, the following 4 members.