Les Chefs: Cymande

Cymande are a London-based, self-proclaimed 'nyah-rock' band formed in 1971 by Jamaican and Guyanese immigrants Patrick Patterson (guitar), Steve Scipio (bass), Sam Kelly (drums), Pablo Gonzales (percussion), Peter Serreo (tenor sax), Mike Rose (sax, flute, percussion), Derek Gibbs (alto, soprano) and Joey Dee (vocals, percussion) and Ray King (vocals). Their irresistibly funky mix of Afro-Caribbean percussion, Ghanaian highlife and psychedelic soul landed them a record contract with the American Janus-label, which released their first three albums. Dominated by Steve Scipio's crazy bass-patterns, standout songs like 'Bra', 'Dove', 'The Message' and 'Brothers on the Slide' got featured in Spike Lee-films and were sampled by the likes of De La Soul, MF Doom and The Fugees. They reunited for a European tour last year and are planning on releasing a new album later this year... Listen to a little playlist of my favourite Cymande-cuts below, enjoy!