Product Description They hailed from Guyana, St. Vincent and Jamaica they fused African rhythms with rock, funk and Latin jazz they were Cymande, and they sounded like no one else. Spike Lee and a generation of rappers have borrowed tracks from their 1972 debut: The R&B hits the Message and Bra plus Dove; Listen Getting It Back, and 12 more! .com Short-lived but legendary, Cymande is oft-compiled on funk assemblages, but this CD of their first two LPs is altogether necessary, even if the music moves away from tight beats into Rasta-folk toward the end. Cymande's reputation has grown considerably over the last twenty years. Featuring a multi-national crew with a strong Caribbean influence, the band produced a few hits in the early seventies, then disappeared. But the epochal "Brothers On the Side," and the ingeniously structured "Fug" contain a subtlety and tension lacking in all but the best bands of the era. As usual, the Collectables label's sound quality is passable, but nothing to brag about. --D. Strauss
C**3
Cool Sounds, Songs from First Three Albums
This disc is filled with cool sounds, hence the 5-star review, but the product description is inaccurate. The description currently states "this CD of their first two albums", leading me to conclude that their first two albums were included in their entirety, however, this disc is actually all of the tracks from their first album and a selection of tracks from their second and third albums, kind of a best of Cymande, not their complete first two albums. Since it does include all of the tracks from the first 1972 Cymande album that were on the original lp, it is well worth getting. Since the original albums are pretty expensive on CD, and you do get all of the tracks from the original first Cymande lp, this is a great deal and the songs included on this CD really click for me. If you are a compulsive completist, realize that the complete second album is not included, and only a couple of tracks from the third are included, but if you are just looking for some chill grooves, or the tracks from their first album, this is worth picking up.
B**J
classic
........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 albumThis 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.
N**Z
low quality CD production
Excellent music - among my favorite albums that I discovered this past year.However - the production of this particular disc was poor. Essentially at CD-R with a circular sticker serving as a label on the disc, The liner art was a single sheet that was cut too big for the jewel case and bowed in. I imagine there are better reproductions available, in both sound and presentation.
P**A
Still Incredible Music!
The music is incredible! It's like a combination of Osibisa, Santana and War! Not sure why we don't hear often,their songs on radio? I'm glad the cds are available.A little problem with the CD, tracks 14 to the end doesn't play. Not sure what the issue is, hence the lower modified -star evaluation.
V**L
It's worth a spin...
Nice disc, I'd give it 4 of 5 stars, liked most of the tracks. It's retro 70's and in my humble opinion almost lives up to the hype and rave reviews--though I'm no music critic. Give the seller 5 stars. Arrived early, as described and undamaged ...
P**N
Brilliant Music & Great Recording
I discovered Cymande's music on Youtube, fell in love with Dove and ordered their CD. Was blown away by the clarity of the recording. It will not disappoint.
E**.
Memories of Past life Music
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.
P**P
wild
crazy how little i knew about these folks...but now? ...so good.
C**N
ottimo
gran disco anche per chi non è un grande appassionato del genere
C**N
Gracias
Todo perfecto gracias
C**N
Great album, but...
Great album, cheap packaging and edition
C**N
Un must have !
Ce disque est a avoir dans toute bonne discotheque qui aime le reggae mystique...Il est assez unique dans son genre autoproclamé "nyah rock" . Préférez cette version a l autre moins chere le mix est un peu plus dark mais les basses sont phénoménales.
Y**7
Ce cd n'est pas le premier album du groupe mais une compilation
3/4 du premier album et 1/4 piocher dans les 2 autres albums. Sûrement une compile non officielle. Avec pochette style photocopie. Le son est pas mal mais le cd ne passe pas sur toutes les platines. A vous de voir.
