Cymande

Cymande Artistfacts

  • 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.

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