Cymande

Cymande, a pioneering U.K. band formed in 1971 by bassist Steve Scipio, blended African rhythms with rock, funk, and soul, as well as calypso, reggae, and jazz-funk. Their 1972 self-titled debut and subsequent albums like 1973's "Second Time Round" and 1974's "Promised Heights" showcased a unique fusion of musical influences, drawing comparisons to artists like Curtis Mayfield and Earth Wind & Fire. Despite a four-decade hiatus, Cymande's music found new life through sampling by hip-hop artists and DJs, leading to a resurgence in popularity and their reformation in 2013.

Following critical acclaim and renewed interest in the late '90s and early 2000s, Cymande reissued compilations of their '70s albums, attracting a new generation of fans. The band officially reunited in 2011 and released their first album in over 40 years, "A Simple Act of Faith," in 2015. Their latest release, "Renascence," dropped in January 2025, featuring the charting single "How We Roll" with Soul II Soul's Jazzie B and showcasing a blend of contemporary R&B and jazz within their signature soul-funk-reggae-rock style. With their catalog continually reissued and their sound evolving, Cymande remains a vital force in the music scene.