• 1971–1974, 2012–

  Ray KingVocals, percussion1971-1974

  Steve ScipioBass1971-1974. 2012-

  Patrick Patterson Guitar1971-1974. 2012-

  Derek GibbsSaxophone1971-1974. 2012-

  Pablo GonsalesCongas1971-1974. 2012-

  Sam KellyDrums1971-1974. 2012-

  Joey DeeVocals, percussion1971-1974

  Peter SerreoSaxophone1971-1974

  Mike "Bami" RoseWoodwinds, percussion1971-1974

  Raymond SimpsonVocals2012-

  Desmond AtwellAlto sax2012-

  Ray CarlessTenor sax2012-

  Adrian ReidKeyboards, vocals2012-
• Cymande is a British funk ensemble founded in 1971 by bassist Steve Scipio and guitarist Patrick Patterson in London, England. The band chose the name "Cymande" (pronounced sih-MAHN-day) from a calypso term meaning "dove," representing the values of peace and love.
• Cymande's debut single, "The Message," reached #48 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #22 on the R&B chart. They went on to find more success in the United States than in their home country, where they received limited recognition.
• In 1973, Cymande made history as the first British band to headline the Apollo Theater in New York.
• Cymande released three albums throughout the early 1970s before parting ways in 1974.
• In the 1980s, hip-hop artists started sampling Cymande's distinctive sounds. The newfound recognition prompted the band to reunite, and in 2016 they toured the United States, where they hadn't played since 1973.

Comments

More Songfacts:

I SwearAll-4-One

"I Swear" was a #1 country hit for John Michael Montgomery before All-4-One made it a #1 pop hit.

I Won't Back DownTom Petty

"I Won't Back Down" is a very personal song for Tom Petty. "I thought it wasn't that good because it was so naked," he said.

MargaritavilleJimmy Buffett

"Margaritaville" is a state of mind, but it's most associated with Key West, Florida, where Jimmy Buffett moved when he was 24.

Don't Let The Sun Go Down On MeElton John

Recording "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me," Elton John was frustrated and sang the line "don't discard me" with an exaggerated American accent, which is why is sounds strange.

Cult of PersonalityLiving Colour

"Cult of Personality" by Living Colour incorporates speeches by John F. Kennedy, Malcolm X and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Street HassleLou Reed

Lou Reed's 11-minute "Street Hassle" features a spoken part by Bruce Springsteen.

Editor's Picks

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)Songwriter Interviews

Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai were two of Graham's co-writers for some '80s rock classics.

They Might Be GiantsSongwriter Interviews

Who writes a song about a name they found in a phone book? That's just one of the everyday things these guys find to sing about. Anything in their field of vision or general scope of knowledge is fair game. If you cross paths with them, so are you.

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.