Getting It Back: The Story Of Cymande

Documentary, Music · 2022

In the racially turbulent UK of the early 70s, a group of black musicians came together in South London with a common love of rhythms and a message of peace. Cymande – with the dove as their symbol – combined jazz, funk, soul and Caribbean grooves to form a unique sound. Despite success in the USA they faced indifference in their native Britain, becoming disillusioned and disbanding. But the music lived on, as new generations of artists imbibed and reworked their pioneering sounds in fresh ways. From Soul II Soul to De La Soul, MC Solaar to The Fugees, the Dove had spread Cymande's message far and wide, prompting their return after forty years. This is their story.

Starring

Mark Ronson, Daniel Gordon, John Battsek, Vincent Mason, Donald Johnson Jr., George Foulgham, Cut Chemist, Gary Welch, Tim MacKenzie-Smith, Kool DJ Red Alert

Director

Tim MacKenzie-Smith

Producer

Beatrice Read