Cymande Collaborates With Celeste on the Anthemic Track ‘Only One Way’

Cymande has teamed up with Celeste for their powerful new track Only One Way, which is part of the group’s upcoming album, Renascence. This song, the second single from the British funk band’s new project, opens with a gentle piano riff, followed by swelling strings and Celeste’s soulful, commanding vocals.

Cymande’s Patrick Patterson spoke about the collaboration, recalling how the team had met Celeste in New York some time ago. He mentioned that Celeste approached the track both melodically and lyrically in a way the band found impressive. After returning to the UK, they fine-tuned the song, and Patterson praised Celeste’s performance, noting that it deserved an orchestral arrangement. To achieve that, they enlisted Chris Cameron to create an arrangement that elevated the track to new heights.

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Celeste shared her experience of meeting Cymande in New York after a performance at Carnegie Hall. She described how she was invited to a nearby studio to meet Patrick and Steve from Cymande. After a brief discussion about their shared Caribbean roots, Patrick started playing the guitar, and the melody and lyrics came together naturally. They recorded the vocals that same day. Celeste recalled meeting the band again months later in a studio on Latimer Road, which had been partially owned by Damon Albarn. It was there that she met Adrian Reid, who made her feel comfortable and even offered to give her piano lessons.

Reflecting on the experience, Celeste explained that being around the band was a healing and enlightening experience. She was deeply moved by hearing their stories and understanding who they were, both as individuals and as a group. Celeste had long seen Cymande as a mysterious and legendary act, and hearing their personal account of their musical journey left her feeling affirmed and inspired.

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Only One Way follows the earlier single Chasing An Empty Dream, and both tracks will appear on Renascence, Cymande’s sixth album, due for release on January 31, 2025, via BMG. This will be their first LP since 2015’s A Simple Act of Faith. Renascence is described as a spiritual and sonic continuation of their 1974 album Promised Heights, blending a modern edge with their classic sound, which has influenced early hip-hop and funk scenes in both the US and the UK.

The album tells the story of a band that never received the recognition it deserved, but is now returning to reclaim their place, staying true to their roots with politically aware, spiritually uplifting messages and infectious grooves. Additionally, Cymande will be embarking on a US and UK tour early next year.

–Silviya.Y

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