Getting It Back: The Story of Cymande

A riveting documentary about the British Black super group that never made it, but whose music you will definitely have heard. ‘It’s like a magic spell.’ That’s just one description of Cymande’s output. Self-taught musicians from South London, the sons of Windrush parents, their music combined influences from funk, calypso, soul and jazz, all brought together to intoxicating effect. Following three great albums and some success in the US, they split in 1975, after being largely ignored in the UK and having experienced abhorrent racism from the music industry. However, their recordings never stopped inspiring and influencing generations of artists and fans, from Jazzy Jay and The Fugees to My Morning Jacket and MC Solar. With its wealth of archive footage, riveting interviews with band members and artists influenced by them, as soon as this fascinating film ends, you’ll be adding the band’s albums to your playlist.

Laure Bonville, BFI London Film Festival programmer

Audio Description available at all screenings.

The screenings on Mon 4 Mar 18:00 Studio and Mon 11 Mar 14:45 Studio will be presented with subtitles, including descriptions of non-dialogue audio.

Please note that this film includes racist language. The BFI does not endorse the language used in the film nor align itself with it. The BFI seeks to provide transparency to give audiences control over what they see and hear.

Also available on BFI Player