Cymande: The Greatest Band You’ve (probably) Never Heard Of

Presenter: Max Reinhardt

Cymande are a British band from Balham, originally active in the early 1970s. With a membership deriving from several Caribbean nations, Cymande were noted for their unique eclectic mix of music they called "nyah-rock" (Funk, soul, reggae, rock, African , Guyanan, and Jazz). The two founder members lived in the same street in Balham, Byrne Road, discovered a mutual love of music and created a band that has adoring intergenerational fans. They formed in 1971 ,released three albums before disbanding in 1974, completing USA stadium tours with soul and funk stars like the reverend Al Green. After gaining newfound popularity when their music was sampled by premiere league rap artists, including the Fugees, De La Soul and MC Solaar, they reformed in the 2010’s and have toured worldwide ever since. Their most recent album Renascence was released in January 2025. The band’s remarkable story is told by founder members Steve Scipio and Patrick Patterson.

Podcast Music Playlist

Extract from documentary movie: Getting It Back -The Story of Cymande (2022)

Cymande - Chasing an Empty Dream (2025)

Duke of Iron and his Trinidad Calypso Troubadours - Last Train (to San Fernando) (1952)

Mighty Sparrow - Old Man and the Donkey (1962)

Gypsi Far - Hail Jah & Leigh Dread Version (2024)

Jimi Hendrix - The Wind Cries Mary (1967)

Miles Davis - Tout de Suite (1969)

The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Hey Joe (1966)

Miles Davis - Footprints (1967)

Cymande - Dove (1973)

Funkadelic - Maggot Brain (1971)

Ginger Johnson and His African Messengers - Nawa (1967)

Osibisa - Music for Gong Gong (1971)

Matumbi - After Tonight (1976)

Danta - Crossfire (1973)

Cymande - The Message (1972)

De La Soul - Change In Speak (1989)

Fugees - The Score (1996)

Cymande - Coltrane (2025)

Cymande - Brothers On The Slide (2025)