GETTING BACK: THE STORY OF CYMANDE just held its world premiere at SXSW 2022 Film Festival. Filmmaker Tim MacKenzie-Smith talked, with our Gadi Elkon, about the first time hearing the band, the many years making this movie, his love of SXSW and so much more.
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.
Tim MacKenzie-Smith chatted, with our Gadi Elkon, about the passion of making this documentary, how incredible the SXSW experience has been, and of course getting to eat quality BBQ in ATX! Oh and much more!
Interview with Filmmaker Tim MacKenzie-Smith:
The film just held its world premiere at SXSW 2022.
Stay up-to-date on everything Cymande, including this wonderful documentary – CYMANDE.
Follow Tim on the ol’ Twitter or at DEADPAN Films.
