Getting It Back: The Story of Cymande

classified 18 (CTBA)

Doc'n Roll Autumn 2022

Film

Please note: This was screened in Nov 2022

Director
Tim MacKenzie-Smith
Cast
Masta Ace, Jazzie B, Cut Chemist
Details
89 mins, 2022, UK
Primary language
English

In the racially turbulent landscape of early 1970s Britain, a group of black musicians came together in South London with a shared love of music and a message of peace.

Cymande combined influences from funk, calypso, soul and jazz, to form a unique and intoxicating sound. Despite success in the USA, they were largely ignored in the UK and experienced abhorrent racism from the music industry, causing them to split in 1975. However, their recordings never stopped inspiring and influencing generations of artists and fans, from Soul II Soul to De La Soul, MC Solaar and The Fugees, prompting their return after forty years.

This is their story, told on screen for the first time, with tributes from a galaxy of musicians and producers influenced and enthralled by their music to this day, including Mark Ronson, Norman Jay, Jazzie B, DJ Maseo of De la Soul, Jim James and Louie Vega.


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