BHM film: Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande

BHM film: Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande

Tim MacKenzie-Smith, 2022, UK, Colour, 89 mins, Certificate: 12

You may have not heard of the band named Cymande, but you most definitely have heard their beats.

Their groovy beats, combining jazz, funk, soul and Caribbean sounds and rhythms, spreading their message of peace. They were a bunch of young black men, living in the racially tense South London of the 70s that found common creative ground in music. They also found success in the US, but remained underappreciated on this side of the Atlantic. Frustrated and disillusioned they broke apart.
Their music though, unique and pioneering, persevered, inspiring and influencing a new generation of artists, from Soul II Soul and De La Soul, to MC Solar and The Fugees that sampled and rearranged it, shaping the music landscape for 5 decades.
So finally the UK and the rest of the world learned their name and recognised their legacy, paving the way for their triumphant return to live gigs.
So you see, you do know their beats.

Join us this October to also know their name at last, as we celebrate Black History Month, with their story, some special guest stars, a steel pan performance by the group Heart of Steel (starting at 7:15 pm) and a West-Indian classic ‘Guinness Punch’ cocktail to cheer them all!

Reviews:

“Shot and edited with the same soulful groove the band injected into the music industry, the movie features an entertaining collection of interviews, music and archival film. Director Tim MacKenzie-Smith clearly has a lot of affection for the band. And so do we after watching his film.” Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall

“[It] takes viewers on a ride of highs, lows and everything in between when telling the story of the R&B/funk band Cymande, which is pronounced “sih-mahn-day.” If you want to know why [this] 1970s British band didn’t become as well-known as American counterparts such as Parliament-Funkadelic, this illuminating documentary tells a fascinating, heart-wrenching and informative story.” Karla Hay, Culture Mix

“The most striking moments of the film, however, remain the testimonies of the band members themselves: it is hard not to be moved seeing them interviewed now about their work, and celebrated by legions of fans of all ages.” Elena Lazic, Cineuropa

“This documentary is an education and a good-news story about the remarkable 70s British funk band Cymande (the word is a calypso term for “dove”) who should be as big as Earth Wind & Fire, but aren’t.” Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

Where
Upstairs at The Sydenham Centre, 44A Sydenham Rd, London SE26 5QX
When
Thursday 31 October 2024
Tickets
Categories

Support and funding

Funded by Lewisham Council through Sydenham Local Assembly.