{"title":"Cymande","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAbout Cymande\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCymande formed in London in 1971 around musicians from Guyana, Jamaica, St. Vincent, and elsewhere in the Caribbean. The original eight-piece released three albums on Janus Records (Cymande, 1972; Second Time Round, 1973; Promised Heights, 1974) before dissolving. Their work was extensively sampled by hip hop producers from the late 1980s onward - De La Soul, the Fugees, Heavy D, MF DOOM, and many others - which significantly amplified the band's legacy across subsequent decades. The original members reunited in 2014 and have released A Simple Act of Faith (2015) and Renascence (2024).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSound and style\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCymande's sound combines funk, soul, jazz fusion, reggae, calypso, Latin, and African influences in distinctive blend that drew on the broad Caribbean and African diaspora heritage of the band's members. Their work is widely cited as foundational to British funk and as a significant influence on later British soul, broken beat, and acid jazz traditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDiscography highlights\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCymande (1972, Janus)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSecond Time Round (1973, Janus)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePromised Heights (1974, Janus)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA Simple Act of Faith (2015, Cherry Red)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRenascence (2024, Partisan)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFor collectors\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOriginal Janus pressings of the 1972-1974 Cymande catalog are widely collected as foundational British funk documents. Multiple reissue programs have been issued, including Soul Jazz Records and Partisan reissue programs across the 2010s and 2020s.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhere to start\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eListeners new to Cymande typically start with the self-titled Cymande (1972) or Second Time Round (1973). \u003cspan class=\"related-collections\"\u003eExplore more: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/rnb-soul-vinyl-records\"\u003eR\u0026amp;B And Soul\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"cymande-promised-heights-vinyl","title":"Promised Heights LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eCymande's \"Promised Heights LP\" captures the essence of their contribution to the Black British music scene, featuring timeless tracks like \"Brothers On The Slide\" and the title track, \"Promised Heights.\" Originally recorded after a memorable tour with Al Green, this album attests to the band's innovative spirit. The 2026 repress on black vinyl brings this classic back for both new listeners and devoted fans alike.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540831383735,"sku":"210000104788","price":26.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4489835-3519894.jpg?v=1781154421"},{"product_id":"cymande-renascence-vinyl","title":"Renascence LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eLegendary British band Cymande return in 2025 with their first studio album in many years.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540849537207,"sku":"210000095081","price":27.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/cymande.jpg?v=1781154484"},{"product_id":"cymande-self-titled-vinyl","title":"Self-Titled LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eRe-issue of Cymande's self-titled classic. Includes the al-time classic tracks 'Bra', 'Dove', 'The Message' amongst other gems.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540900655287,"sku":"210000087855","price":29.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/eng-pm-cymande-cymande-lp-black-73818-1.jpg?v=1781154655"},{"product_id":"cymande-promised-heights-50th-anniv-pink-vinyl","title":"Promised Heights LP","description":"\u003cp\u003e2024 marks the 50th anniversary of Cymande’s Promised Heights -- an album that solidified Cymande’s place in music history and contains some of their most-beloved tracks. Limited Edition Pink LP.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540951412919,"sku":"210000088103","price":32.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/ptrlp30273-31548.jpg?v=1781154837"},{"product_id":"cymande-second-time-round-translucent-green-vinyl","title":"Second Time Round LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eSecond Time Round is the second studio album by British funk group Cymande. It was released in 1973 through Janus Records.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540951969975,"sku":"210000085589","price":32.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/second-time-around.jpg?v=1781154838"},{"product_id":"cymande-promised-heights-cd","title":"Promised Heights CD","description":"\u003cp\u003eCymande's \"Promised Heights\" stands as a significant entry in the realm of R\u0026amp;B and Soul, reflecting the band's essential role in the early British Black music scene. Released by Partisan Records, this CD features classic tracks like \"Brothers On The Slide\" and the title track, solidifying their reputation for engaging rhythms and thought-provoking lyrics. Following a notable U.S. tour with Al Green, this album captures a pivotal moment in their creative journey.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785638228151,"sku":"210000099243","price":14.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4436598-3425126.jpg?v=1783045516"},{"product_id":"cymande-self-titled-cd","title":"Self-Titled CD","description":"\u003cp\u003eCymande's self-titled CD is a pioneering work of Black British music, blending reggae, funk, and Afro-tinged rhythms. This remastered classic includes the defining tracks \"Zion I\" and \"The Message,\" making it essential listening for anyone exploring the roots of Brit funk.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785638817975,"sku":"210000099244","price":14.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4436487-3425125.jpg?v=1783045517"},{"product_id":"cymande-second-time-round-cd","title":"Second Time Round CD","description":"\u003cp\u003eCymande's \"Second Time Round\" is like finding a forgotten comic book that whisks you back to the golden age of R\u0026amp; B; it's vibrant and packed with characters that will stick in your head long after the last note. Tracks like \"Fug\" and \"Genevieve\" reverberate with the same joy as a summer BBQ, blending contagious grooves with smooth melodies that invite you to move. Released in 1974, this record not only cemented their legendary status but also made history when they became the first British band to headline the Apollo Theater; surely a twist of fate as sweet as their rhythms. Take a step into a time when music made you feel alive, and let Cymande remind you why you fell in love with soul.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785638850743,"sku":"210000099239","price":14.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4436597-3425124.jpg?v=1783045518"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.waxtraxrecords.com\/collections\/cymande.oembed","provider":"Wax Trax Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}