Promised Heights [Pink Vinyl]

by Cymande

Overview

On their final LP for Janus Records, Cymande continues the heavy message theme of Second Time Round. "Pon de Dungle" is about the secrets of life and love articulated over a lazy beat. "Equatorial Forest" is a multifaceted tune with a lightning tempo and sliding, accentuating horns, while the Curtis Mayfield-ish "Brothers on the Slide" has some commercial appeal. The flavorful "Changes" is like viewing a good oil painting; the slow, moody instrumental has a meditating effect, and a soft, airy flute makes for an inconspicuous lead instrument. "Promised Heights," the title cut, is strong, and should have done better for Cymande. It has the lilt and beauty of earlier sides, the horn work is sensational, and a nice sax solo scintillates. That same looping reggae beat is matched with meaningful lyrics and a positive, working-together theme on "Losing Ground." "The Recluse" has a great hook ("When will all the lights go, will they leave the blackest night") and features a nice romping beat spiced by sweeping horns. Cymande is a perfect example of music's universal appeal; despite not knowing 70-percent of what they're saying, you're still drawn into the sounds. [The 2007 Newhouse edition contains bonus tracks.] ~ Andrew Hamilton

Product Details

Release Date:	05/17/2024
Label:	Partisan Records
UPC:	0720841302735

Tracks

1. Pon de Dungle
2. Equatorial Forest
3. Brothers On The Slide
4. Changes
5. Breezeman
6. Promised Heights
7. Losin' Ground
8. Leavert
9. The Recluse
10. Sheshamani

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Cymande   Primary Artist
Joey Dee   Vocals,Percussion
Patrick Patterson   Guitar
Steve Scipio   Bass
Peter Serreo   Sax (Tenor)
Pablo Gonsales   Congas
Derek Gibbs   Sax (Alto),Sax (Soprano)

Technical Credits

James Chapman   Composer
Peter Dennis   Composer
Mike Rose   Composer
Neil Turk   Art Direction
Sam Kelly   Composer
Patrick Patterson   Composer
Steve Scipio   Composer
Cymande   Composer
Chapman   Composer
Pablo Gonsales   Composer
Derek Gibbs   Composer