Closely following on from its upcoming UK theatrical release on 16 February 2024, new music documentary Gettiing it Back: The Story of Cymande comes to BFI Blu-ray later this month, 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.

I'm going to give a personal shout for this one, which I saw at last year's London Film Festival and really enjoyed. It was also highly educational, and I learned a lot about this group of hugely talented and criminally overlooked musicians. Expect a full review of the film and nthe disc from our BFI guru Gary Couzens closer to the release date.

Gettiing it Back: The Story of Cymande will be released on Blu-ray by the BFI on 26 February 2024, with simultaneous release on BFI Player Subscription, iTunes and Amazon Prime. Catch it if you can.

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

• A selection of extended clips chosen by director Tim MacKenzie-Smith (2022, 13 mins total): The genesis of Bra, Cut Chemist listens to Cymande, DJ Hollywood Bra rap, Jazzy Jay Cymande mix, Ruthless Rap Assassins
• Deleted scene: Cymande school days (2022, 2 mins)
• Steve Scipio and Patrick Patterson Q&A (2023, 34 mins): two members of Cymande are interviewed by journalist Jason Solomons
• Black Music Party (7 mins): rare footage of Cymande performing in the 1970s
• UK Trailer
• FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated booklet featuring new writing by Kevin Le Gendre, Tim Mackenzie-Smith and Greg Wilson and full credits

Here's a trailer to whet your appetite: