Cymande’s ‘Renascence’ Brings Their Iconic Sound Back Just in Time for Black History Month
Cymande is one of those rare bands whose influence runs deep, even if mainstream fame has been out of reach.
With their unique blend of funk, reggae, jazz, and Afro-Caribbean rhythms, the London-based band laid the foundation for generations of artists across genres, particularly hip-hop. Their tracks have been sampled by hip-hop legends like De La Soul and Wu-Tang Clan, embedding Cymande’s DNA into the very fabric of the genre. Now, decades since their debut in 1971, Cymande is back with “Renascence,” a project reaffirming their influence and relevance.
The album is a celebration of their enduring sound and a tribute to the deep connection between Black musical heritage and hip-hop’s evolution, arriving just in time for Black History Month.
For founding members guitarist Patrick Patterson and bassist Steve Scipio, “Renascence” isn’t just a new album—it’s the continuation of a movement that began over 50 years ago. Patterson credits a pivotal 2016 performance at Summer Stage in New York City as a catalyst for this latest chapter, noting that their management was instrumental in bringing the project to life.
Scipio echoes that sentiment, describing the project as an extension of what Cymande started in the ‘70s. “We see this pretty much as a continuation of that project and, to some extent, a realization of what we were hoping to achieve back then,” he shares.
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With new management and a fresh producer, “Renascence” marks a new era for the band, building on their legacy while embracing the present possibilities.
Much like their earlier work, the album is rich and meaningful. Patterson highlights “Road to Zion” as a track with personal significance, describing it as a romance-infused record with a deeper resonance.
Scipio highlights “Chasing an Empty Dream” and “Only One Way” as examples of Cymande's signature motivational and introspective themes.
“How We Roll”….. those songs kind of have messages that we, you know, we've always wanted to communicate,” he explained, adding, “But, as Patrick said on another occasion, you know, it's like asking us to choose between our children, you know.”
The album also speaks to perseverance and the unbreakable spirit of Black artistry—making it an essential listen, especially during Black History Month.
The band’s early albums became a goldmine for hip-hop producers like Diamond D, who produced Fugee’s “The Score” from the album of the same name. The song notably samples “Dove” from the group’s 1972 self-titled project.
Yet, despite being one of the most influential bands in music history, Cymande’s mainstream recognition has been long overdue.
“We fully appreciate the younger generation buying into our music and what we were trying to say,” Scipio says. “The sampling of those early albums has given new life to the music, and we’re thankful for that.
Patterson sees the reinvention of their sound through hip-hop as the ultimate compliment. “It’s great that people can find something in our music that inspires them,” he says. “Bringing it to a new generation—that’s something we truly appreciate.”
In honor of their latest release on all streaming platforms, the band is gearing up for a U.S. tour in mid-February. Check out the dates below.
CYMANDE TOUR DATES
US 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
EUROPEAN TOUR DATES
MAY 25 – Cross The Tracks Festival – London
OCT 7 - Copenhagen, DK - Vega
OCT 8 - Berlin, DE - Huxley’s Neue Welt
OCT 10 - The Hague, NL - Paard
OCT 11 - Amsterdam, NL - Paradiso
OCT 13 - Brussels, BE - Cirque Royal
OCT 14 - Paris, FR - La Cigale
OCT 16 - Manchester, UK - Albert Hall
OCT 17 - London, UK O2 Academy Brixton