Cymande
Photo Credit: Dean Chalkley

Legendary British band Cymande have announced their musical return with new studio album, Renascence, set for release on 31 January via BMG.

A true return to form, Renascence picks up where their 1974 album Promised Heights left off – a spiritual and sonic follow-up, bringing a fresh modern edge to their iconic sound, which remains foundational to early hip-hop and funk scenes in the United States and UK.

Renascence tells the story of a band that never fully got its due back in the day; but are back to take the crown by remaining true to themselves – politically aware, and spiritually positive with infectious grooves.

New single Chasing An Empty Dream is out now. Bassist, Steve Scipio, says: “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.”

Listen to Chasing An Empty Dream below:

Powerful Comeback

Renascence has everything both old fans and new would want from a Cymande album – spacious, haunting grooves that build over time, letting saxophones wail, drumbeats echo, and guitars trill – see Coltrane, How We Roll (feat. Jazzie B) and I Wanna Know.

Upbeat soulful dance breaks on The Darkest Night and Carry The World, and soulful ballads like Only One Way (featuring Celeste on lead vocals), and Road To Zion all coalesce into one powerful comeback record.

Produced by Ben Baptie, Cymande is led by its founding members Patrick Patterson (guitars, vocals) & Steve Scipio (bass, vocals). The band also comprises long time members, Keyboardist Adrian Reid and vocalist Raymond Simpson, with the full complement of players being Richard Bailey (drums), Donald Gamble (percussion), Denys Baptiste (saxophone) Kevin Davy (trumpet) and Toni Kofi (saxophone).

Renascence Tracklist:

Chasing An Empty Dream
Road To Zion
Only One Way (Featuring Celeste)
Coltrane
Sweeden
How We Roll Featuring Jazzie B)
Heart Of The Willing
I Wanna Know
Darkest Night
Carry the Word

Earlier this year, Cymande’s unique story was told on the on big screen for the first time with Getting It Back: The Story Of Cymande, directed by award-winning director Tim Mackenzie-Smith.  This empowering and thought-provoking documentary shows the band’s depth of influence across decades and features interviews with Mark Ronson, Laura Lee and Mark Speer (Khruangbin), DJ Maseo (De La Soul), Jazzie B (Soul II Soul), Cut Chemist, Jim James (My Morning Jacket), Louie Vega, Kool DJ Red Alert, and many others.

Renascence will be available to stream, download, on CD and on 140g black vinyl at all major retailers.  A limited edition transparent coral vinyl edition will be made available on the band’s official online store and at select indie retail accounts.

To preorder click here

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