"If it wasn't for songs like these, there would have been no hip-hop." - DJ Maseo (De La Soul)

Nearly five decades since their last studio album, legendary British band Cymande is back with Renascence, a strong statement of revival and renewal. Picking up where their 1974 masterpiece Promised Heights left off, this album is a spiritual continuation of their groundbreaking sound. Known for laying the foundation of early hip-hop and funk in both the UK and the U.S., Cymande mixes contagious grooves, politically charged messages, and diasporic rhythms into an album that feels urgently relevant.

Renascence opens with “Chasing An Empty Dream,” a track that reintroduces Cymande’s unmistakable style. It’s got the grizzly bassline hooks, the intricate percussion and horns, plus a reflective yet hopeful message. Bassist Steve Scipio explains, “The song stems from observations of today’s materialistic society. But there’s optimism - a hope that we can rediscover the values needed to shape a positive future.” It’s a moving mission statement that sets the tone for the album.

Produced by Ben Baptie, Renascence features founding members Patrick Patterson (guitar, vocals) and Scipio (bass, vocals), alongside longtime collaborators Adrian Reid (keyboards), Raymond Simpson (vocals), and a stellar ensemble that includes saxophonists Denys Baptiste and Toni Kofi, trumpeter Kevin Davy, and percussionist Donald Gamble. Together, they create a sound both spacious and dynamic, from the haunting groove of “Coltrane” to the dancefloor-ready breaks of “The Darkest Night” and the soulful balladry of “Only One Way,” featuring Celeste on lead vocals.

The album artwork, created by Ghanaian-born artist Koby Martin, perfectly captures the album’s themes of rebirth and triumph. The vibrant work features a sunrise, symbolizing Cymande’s resurgence, and a morphing dove within a laurel wreath, representing victory and renewal. Martin describes the imagery as “a translation of the sounds” audiences will experience, a visual celebration of the band’s journey and message. Cymande’s return comes at a moment when their story is finally getting the recognition it deserves. In 2024, the documentary Getting It Back: The Story Of Cymande made waves at film festivals and cinemas worldwide, chronicling their influence on generations of artists, from Mark Ronson and Khruangbin to DJ Maseo of De La Soul.