Listen: Cymande Welcome Jazzie B for “How We Roll,” Third Preview Single from Reunion Album ‘Renascence’
Photo Credit: Dean Chalkley
In October, Cymande unveiled Renascence, the legendary British psych-funk ensemble’s first record in a decade, due to release on Jan. 31 via BMG.
With the preview singles “Chasing an Empty Dream” and “Only One Way”–which features acclaimed singer-songwriter Celeste–the group showed that its forthcoming full-length is not just a reunion, but a return to the peak performance of its early ‘70s heyday. Like those heady years that brought on the iconic run of 1972’s Cymande, 1973’s Second Time Round, 1974’s Promised Heights and 1981’s Arrival (recorded in 1974), Cymande’s forthcoming record shows the band fearlessly pursuing new sonic possibilities with a renewed versatility and range.
Today, Jan. 8, the nine-piece band has expanded their intricate hybrid sound even further with “How We Roll,” featuring iconic DJ, producer and Soul II Soul collective founder Jazzie B. The track opens with a slick and smoky atmosphere, swirling to life with commanding bass strikes and contemplative guitar lines from founding members Steve Scipio and Patrick Patterson.
This landscape, ornamented by chimes and the locomotive shuffle of layered hand percussion, provides a proper backing for Jazzie B, who weaves between horn blasts and cymbal splashes as he delivers a poignant spoken meditation on a timeless collective spirit. “The vibrations of our souls, ever living on within the young and the old as we rise, living together as one,” he reads. “That’s how we roll.”
“The idea of the rap originated with me,” Patterson reflects on the track in a release. “Ray [Simpson, featured vocalist] worked a lot with Jazzie B in Soul II Soul, so he got in touch with Jazzie and asked him if he’d like to consider collaborating. Lovely man. Big fan of Cymande, and he’s also in the documentary. The track talks about us and our brethren, our people, our community…”
“…it talks about taking control of your own destiny,” Scipio echoes. “One of the lines on the song is ‘we control the page’. A song harking back to the old Cymande – a strong vocalisation of the issues that affect black people. It’s my favourite bassline on the album.”
Renascence is Cymande’s first full-length since 2015’s small-scale reunion set A Simple Act of Faith, recalling the irrepressible creativity of their origins and renewing their intoxicating brew of psychedelic soul, reggae, calypso, classic funk, and African rhythms with a 21st-century studio sheen. The band will celebrate their return with a US headline tour, making ten stops across the country from Feb. 13 to Feb. 28. Highlights from this run include a kick-off from New York’s Irving Plaza, stops in Philadelphia, Chicago Denver and Seattle and a finale at The Bellwether in Los Angeles. For tickets and more information, visit cymandeofficial.com.
“How We Roll (feat. Jazzie B)” is available everywhere now. Pre-order and pre-save Renascence here.
Read on for a complete tracklist for Renascence and list of upcoming tour dates.
Renascence – Cymande:
1. Chasing An Empty Dream
2. Road To Zion
3. Only One Way (Featuring Celeste)
4. Coltrane
5. Sweeden
6. How We Roll (Featuring Jazzie B)
7. Heart Of The Willing
8. I Wanna Know
9. Darkest Night
10. Carry the Word
Cymande Tour Dates:
FEB 13 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza
FEB 14 – Philadelphia, PA – Ardmore Music Hall
FEB 15 – Washington DC – Howard Theatre
FEB 18 – Chicago, IL – Metro
FEB 19 – Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theatre
FEB 21 – Denver, CO – Bluebird
FEB 22 – Seattle, WA – Crocodile
FEB 23 – Portland, OR – Aladdin Theater
FEB 26 – San Francisco, CA – August Hall*
FEB 28 – Los Angeles, CA – The Bellwether
MAY 25 – London, UK – Cross The Tracks Festival
OCT 17 – London, UK – O2 Academy Brixton
