Innovators of the black British music scene CYAMANDE re-issue their 1972 self-titled debut on Partisan Records
Credit: Partisan Records
With the release of their self-titled debut album in 1972, Cymande emerged as innovators of the black British music scene.
Taking influences from their Guyanese and Jamaican roots, the band fused reggae bass lines, Afro-tinged Nyabinghi percussion, psychedelic touches, and American-style funk into a unique sound they’ve since dubbed as “Nyah-rock.” While they were embraced in the US, back home they were largely ignored and soon forgotten by a music business beset by prejudice against homegrown black talent.
Cymande split in 1975 after releasing three albums in quick succession, but their music lived on as successive generations of artists and fans found and embraced their songs. Their far-reaching influence can be heard in the countless samples taken from their music over the last four decades, from pioneering DJs like DJ Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash, to De La Soul, The Wu-Tang Clan, Gang Starr, EPMD, Sugar Hill Gang, Fatboy Slim, and The Fugees -- to name a few. They stand today as one of the most revered and sampled bands in the history of Hip Hop, House, and Dance.
Partisan Records is proud to announce a special reissue of Cymande’s seminal debut, newly remastered at Abbey Road Studios and available for the very first time on translucent, orange crush vinyl. ‘Cymande’ features several of the band’s best known - and oft-sampled - classics like “Dove,” “The Message” and more. The release will be available to order online Dec 16th, and available in-stores physically Jan 13.
Now fully reformed, Cymande have been busy touring the world throughout 2022, and have a string of North American headline dates this fall.
This year Cymande was also the subject of an acclaimed documentary titled 'GETTING IT BACK: THE STORY OF CYMANDE’, which had its World Premiere screening at SXSW. ‘Getting It Back’ was directed by Tim Mackenzie-Smith and features interviews with a galaxy of musicians and producers influenced and enthralled by their music, including Mark Ronson, Jim James, Kool DJ Red Alert, DJ Maseo, and Louie Vega. The film will also make its UK screening debut at this year’s London Film Festival, which runs October 5-16. Watch the trailer HERE. Screening and ticketing info HERE.
2023 is shaping up to be another busy year for Cymande, who are currently in the studio recording a brand new album. More details on that coming soon!
‘Cymande’ reissue packaging:
‘Cymande’ tracklist:
A1 Zion I
A2 One More
A3 Getting It Back
A4 Listen
A5 Rickshaw
B1 Dove
B2 Bra
B3 The Message
B4 Rastafarian Folk Song
FOR MORE INFORMATION
w/ https://www.cymandeofficial.com