GETTING IT BACK: THE STORY OF CYMANDE
A film by Tim Mackenzie-Smith
Released on BFI Blu-ray, BFI Player Subscription, iTunes and Amazon Prime on 26 February 2024
Blu-ray review discs/screener link available now
Following its upcoming UK theatrical release on 16 February 2024, new music documentary GETTING IT BACK: THE STORY OF CYMANDE comes to BFI Blu-ray on 26 February, with extras including a new interview with the two founding members of the band, plus extended clips and deleted scenes. The film will be available exclusively on BFI Player Subscription on the same date.
In the racially turbulent UK of the early 1970s, a group of Black musicians came together in south London with a common love of rhythm and a message of peace. Cymande – with the dove as their symbol – combined jazz, funk, soul and Caribbean grooves to form a unique sound. Yet despite success in the United States, they faced indifference in their native Britain, becoming disillusioned, before disbanding in 1975. But the music lived on. New generations of artists imbibed and reworked Cymande’s pioneering sounds in fresh ways. From Soul II Soul to De La Soul, MC Solaar to The Fugees, the dove had spread the message far and wide, prompting the band’s return after 40 years. This is their incredible story.
Special features
• Presented in High Definition
• Steve Scipio and Patrick Patterson Q&A (2023, 34 mins): the founding members of Cymande are interviewed by journalist Jason Solomons
• Extended clips and deleted scenes (2022, 14 mins): a selection of clips chosen by director Tim Mackenzie-Smith, including the genesis of Bra; Cut Chemist listens to Cymande; DJ Hollywood Bra rap; Jazzy Jay Cymande mix; Ruthless Rap Assassins (extended feature); Cymande’s school days
• Black Music Parrty (c1975, 7 mins): rare footage of Cymande performing in the 1970s
• Original theatrical trailer
• ***First pressing only*** Illustrated booklet with essays by Kevin Le Gendre and Greg Wilson; The Treatment by director Tim Mackenzie-Smith and an essay on Cymande’s roots by founding members Patrick Patterson and Steve Scipio; notes on the special features and credits
Product details
RRP: £19.99 / Cat. no. BFIB1505 / 12
UK / 2022 / colour / 90 minutes / English with descriptive subtitles and audio description / aspect ratio 1.78:1 // BD50: 1080p, 25fps, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and LPCM 2.0 stereo audio (48kHz/24-bit)
Where to buy
Pre-order from the BFI Shop
https://shop.bfi.org.uk/getting-it-b...e-blu-ray.html
All BFI Blu-ray releases are available from usual home entertainment retailers or from the BFI Shop at https://shop.bfi.org.uk/