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Cymande

Described as “spiritual… versatile…smooth, sweet and very different”, no-one has yet to sum up the unique sound of Cymande in one simple word or phrase. Nyah-Rock, Afro-Rock, even Calypso Rock have been used to categorise their music, but Cymande is just simply Cymande. Formed over 40 years ago by Steve Scipio and Patrick Patterson, the band was made up of nine self-taught Caribbean born, London based musician/singers:

  • Steve Scipio (Bass, vocals)
  • Sam Kelly (Drums)
  • Pablo Gonsales (Percussion, vocals)
  • Joey Dee, Ray King & Jimmy Lindsay (Vocals)
  • Patrick Patterson (Guitar, vocals)
  • Mike Rose (Sax, flute, percussion)
  • Derek Gibbs (Alto sax)
  • Peter Serreo & Desmond Atwell (Tenor saxes)

Joey Dee replaced Ray King for the recording of the three albums, with the exception of the song titled Getting It Back. Jimmy Lindsay joined the band for the recording of the latter half of the third album ‘Promised Heights’ in place of Joey Dee. Desmond Atwell joined the band for the recording of the second and third albums in place of Peter Serreo.

Cymande’s longevity and success has been achieved by its totally original style and exclusively self-penned songs, welding together the diverse strands of reggae and Rastafarian rhythms with funk, soul, R&B, jazz, rock, African music and West Indian folk the band grew up with. The Music of Cymande conveys a true spirit of togetherness reflected in the band’s emblem which incorporates a dove symbolizing peace and love.

In 1971 the group met John Schroeder, Cymande’s longstanding producer, in a basement club in London’s Soho, where he had gone to audition another act. The rapport was immediate, Schroeder recollecting “an atmosphere of electric excitement”, and together they became totally immersed, hour after hour from rehearsal rooms to recording studio, honing their distinctive style.

At the 1972 MIDIM Music Industry Fair in Cannes, Schroeder introduced Marvin Schlacter, President of Chess/Janus Records to two of Cymande’s recordings. This led to a request by Chess/Janus Records for enough material to fill and album, and so, the self-entitled album “Cymande” was born, becoming the fastest selling record on the Chess/Janus Record Label.

“The Message” backed by “Zion 1” was the first single to be released, and its success triggered a whirlwind of events, with Bob Schwald appointed as Cymande’s U.S. Manager. With solid airplay and a very complimentary U.S. Music Press, the band soon achieved the rare distinction of listings in all three of the key U.S. national Charts – Jazz, R&B and Pop.

Easy to listen to, easy to dance to, yet full of emotion and meaning, Cymande’s music arrived Stateside with some considerable force

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Live Review

Cymande at the Bluebird Theater

Read "Cymande at the Bluebird Theater" reviewed by Geoff Anderson


Cymande Bluebird Theater Denver, CO February 21, 2025 Zombies, vampires, the Phoenix bird--few bands use these as role models in formulating a career path. Actually, Cymande did not consciously decide to follow in their footsteps, but that is what happened. Cymande formed in the early 1970s in England and comprised a group of musicians whose families had immigrated from the West Indies. The original nine members, hailing from Jamacia, Guyana and St. Vincent, ...

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