‘70s Funk Legends Cymande Return with 'Renascence,' Share Preview Single “Chasing an Empty Dream”

‘70s Funk Legends Cymande Return with ‘Renascence,’ Share Preview Single “Chasing an Empty Dream”

October 16, 2024

Photo Credit: Dean Chalkley

From the crucible of diverse styles that stirred in the streets of London in the ‘70s, Cymande emerged as pioneers of a bold new sound. With their formation in 1971, the nine-piece funk outfit fearlessly fused a vast array of influences into their subtly shapeshifting songs, reflecting the cultural revolutions of the Afro-Caribbean diasporic community by honoring each member’s roots in Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Vincent and more. In three years, the ensemble shared four albums: 1972’s Cymande, 1973’s Second Time Round, 1974’s Promised Heights and 1981’s Arrival (recorded in 1974). Though they became the first British band to headline New York’s Apollo Theater in 1973 and graced the screen on Soul Train, a stifling void of critical and commercial recognition at home forced the group to part ways in 1974.

Through their 50-year absence, Cymande have earned entry in the canon of funk legends as renewed acclaim and widespread sampling (hear “Bra” on De La Soul’s “Change of Speak” and “Dove” on Fugees’ “The Score”) have enshrined their four-album run as cult classics. Today, at long last, the band returns to greet its ever-mounting audience, announcing a return to form with the new album Renascence. Set to release on January 31, 2025 via BMG, the band’s first project in a decade (after 2015’s small-scale reunion set A Simple Act of Faith) echoes the irrepressible creativity of its origins, renewing its intoxicating brew of psychedelic soul, reggae, calypso, classic funk, and African rhythms with a 21st-century studio sheen. As a first taste of the new sound, the band has paired today’s announcement with the preview single “Chasing an Empty Dream.”

“Chasing an Empty Dream” is a revelation–an exultant re-emergence of Cymande’s powerful sound, which has aged like the finest rum since its last outing. It’s a slick, slinking funk, setting rich leading harmonies over a rumbling bass and conga backbeat, which gives way to a soaring chorus of strings and sax at the bridge for some blissed-out Philly soul reminiscence. In all, the song recalls the global focus of the group’s earliest offerings, reaching out still to new sonic lands.

On the new track, original bassist Steve Scipio offers in a presser, “The genesis for this song stemmed from an observation on the kind of world we are living in; reflected in the materialistic focus of today’s society and culture. But the song also has a positive message of hope and optimism. A hope that one day society will see sense and pull back from the brink; to once again understand and appreciate the importance of the values that were once held so dear, in shaping a positive future for all.”

Cymande–now led by founding members Patrick Patterson & Scipio, alongside Adrian Reid, Raymond Simpson and new additions Richard Bailey, Donald Gamble, Denys Baptiste Kevin Davy and Toni Kofi–will celebrate their return later this month with their UK television debut, booked for Later… with Jools Holland on Oct. 26. Following the release of Renascence, the ensemble will cross the ocean for a 10-stop US tour, passing through New York’s Irving Plaza, Minneapolis’ Varsity Theatre, Portland, Ore.’s Aladdin Theater, Los Angeles’ The Bellwether and more from Feb. 13 to 28. For tickets and more information, visit cymandeofficial.com/tour/.

“Chasing An Empty Dream” is available on all streaming platforms now. For more information on Cymande and Renascence, visit cymandeofficial.com.