Cymande tears it up in the Annenberg Performance Studio.
Cymande tears it up in the Annenberg Performance Studio.
Video directed by Angie Scarpa. All photos by Vivian Villa-Caratachea.

Cymande: KCRW Live from HQ

Intimate performances, fresh sounds, and candid conversations with a view.

Written by Marion Hodges

South London soul-jazz-funk group Cymande came out swinging on their eponymous 1972 debut LP. Their sound was tight, groovy, and spiritually informed — with nods to each members’ respective homeland. The cohort of Caribbean immigrants, whose name is derived from the calypso word for “dove,” released two more albums in quick succession — Second Time Round (1973) and Promised Heights (1974). They picked up early acclaim in the US on the strength of an arena/stadium tour with Al Green, and became the first British band to play the famed Apollo Theater in Harlem. But lack of support and recognition back home in England led to a multi-decade break.

After gaining underground-fave status in the midst of their hiatus, and being sampled by the likes of De La Soul, The Fugees, Gang Starr and more, Cymande just dropped Renascence, their follow up to 2015’s A Simple Act Of Faith. The band treats us to a taste of their enduring vigor with a live session at KCRW’s Annenberg Performance Studio. Original members Patrick Patterson (guitar) and Steve Scipio (bass), are rounded out by Raymond Simpson (vocals), Adrian Reid (keyboard), Richard Bailey (drums), Donald Gamble (percussion), Denis Cofie (alto saxophone), Denys Baptiste (tenor saxophone), and Kevin Davy (trumpet). With their powers combined, they’re taking us on a soul-jazzy journey through Renascence cuts “Sweeden,” “Chasing An Empty Dream,” and “How We Roll.”  Plus they’re hitting us with back catalog behemoth “Bra.”

Watch the full sesh via the video above and dial in below for a potent chat between KCRW’s Novena Carmel, Patterson, and Scipio, in which they examine eternal youth, doing things on your own timeline, and creating music with meaning. “[We want to make] music that lasts,” says Patterson. “Music that speaks for itself, that says something really sensible — reflecting that which represents our community [and] represents the quality in our community … a pursuit of excellence.” 

Explore more KCRW Live From sessions



Credits:

KCRW Music Director: Alejandro Cohen
Interviewer: Novena Carmel
Director / Editor / Colorist: Angie Scarpa
Director of Photography: Kylie Hazzard
Camera operators: Milana Burdette, Kylie Hazzard, Angie Scarpa
KCRW Recording / Mix Engineer: Hope Brush
Assistant Engineers: Katie Gilchrest and Nick Lampone
Broadcast Editors: Katie Gilchrest and Anna Chang
Executive Producer: Ariana Morgenstern
Senior Producer: Anna Chang
Event Producer: Liv Surnow
Digital Producer: Marion Hodges
Digital Editorial Manager: Andrea Domanick
Lighting Design: Jason Groman
Art Director: Evan Solano

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