Customer Reviews

Cymande

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This title has poor sound quality and was not remastered.

Cymande - Renegades of Funk was nicely remastered and has 2 unreleased bonus tracks not availble here. I recently bought that record. And the hit track Bra absolutely bumps. The rest of the album flows very nicely. Just thought I would pass along the word to Cymande fans.

i got this cd about ten years ago in london. they were playing it in a record shop. i bought it on the spot. never heard of them before or since, but this cd is great. luckily my copy is on sequel not collectables because a friend bought the collectables (he also was floored) and the mastering sounds like someone put a rug over the speaker. don't hold this against the band though! really great blend of funk, soul and reggae that is hard to pin down...

........So, I go to see Spike Lee's 25th Hour when it comes out in 2003. I am enjoying the film, but I, ever on the hunt for good music, hear this 70s latin thing during a club scene in Lee's joint. I read the credits, check the movie guides, and nothing. It is obviously a sample, and not listed, anyplace. Well, it drives a music man like me crazy when he wants something, but can't find it. What WAS that music?

Months and many web postings later, and finally somebody writes "oh, that's Cymande." "A band?" I ask. "Yeah." Which just shows you no matter how long you have been collecting and no matter how much you know about music, something great ALWAYS slips through your fingers.

Obviously, I am pointing and clicking on this right away. I knew I had at least a fraction of a good song on my hands--it turned out that "Bra" was the short sample in the film. (What does bra mean in spanish? I don't think this is a song about underwear.) But I had no idea of how good this band was until I played the album

This is tight, taunt, latin funk--and I empahsize the word funk. By the time Cymande emerged in 1972, Santana was already into long fussion jams. This music is nothing like that. Some of the solos are long, but only when they fit. Cymande sets a tight, funky groove that always has a compelling rhythmic edge, and mine it for all it is worth. There is absolutely no fat on this music. The playing is excellent. A lot of little insertions happen in these ecconomical little grooves, and you hear more each time you play the album.

Fantastic record. Don't be an idiot like I was. Get this on your radar, now.

When I was younger, I bought this album on a whim. Once I had heard it and played it over and over again, I was hooked. As I listen to the current CD, I hear cuts that were not on the original album. They do not disappoint but reaffirms that the original record and cuts for this particular album contain the richer sound of this group.Their better work. It identified them for me as an "outsider band" with something unique to say.
As time past I lost sight of them but not interest. I am refreshed to hear the wale, whine and harmony of CYMANDE once again.

i was very happy to find that someone had the good sense to remaster cymandes work and make it available on cd. ive spent many wonderful hours over the years enjoying dancing around the kitchen with a glass of wine cooking dinner.

Bra on the 25th Hour soundtrack Fug, The Message sampled by modern hip-hop artistes.

Stayed in my CD player all summer long after I bought it 5 years ago, and still sounds amazing whenever I put it on. Incredible mix of funk, soul, rock, afro, reggae. Highly recommended.

As far as the previous reviewer's comments are concerned, I own this disc as well as the UK import that holds the band's entire 3 album output, and find that only one exceptional song didn't make it into this compilation. Otherwise, it is an excellent collection of the band's best work and I highly recommend it to any fans of funky/soulful/eclectic music.

This is an incredible album and for the uninitiated an incredible, mind-blowing find. This band is the real deal. I spent many a happy late night grooving to this collection. Play the sample of The Message and you, too will no doubt be enthralled. What a thrill to find it on cd. To all those naysayers who think this re-issue isnt up to snuff I say boo! Go rain on someone else's parade.

There seems to be some kind of silly little debate developing here. I can end it right now. Here is the
track listing for the original album called Cymande, by Cymande on Janus 1972.
There were 9 tracks on the original LP.

Zion 1
One More
Getting it back
Listen
Rickshaw
Dove
Bra
The Message
Rastafarian Folk Song

These tracks are all included here. However they are
misplaced and mixed in with other tracks from the two
other albums. So 3 stars given for releasing Cymande awhile
back. Yet, this is a half baked best of reissue, and the sound quality is unfortunate.

If you liked the music in 25th Hour but couldn't find it on the soundtrack, here it is. I'm not sure what category this music falls under, but I seem to really enjoy it. Bra being my favorite song on the disc.