by Andrew Hamilton
On their final LP for Janus Records, Cymande continues the heavy message theme of Second Time Around. &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 with 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.