The Cimarons

Formed in London in 1967 by Jamaican musicians who had settled in the United Kingdom during their adolescence, The Cimarons are part of the history of British reggae at the crossroads of roots reggae, dub and a band reggae nourished by the London scene. Initially active as a backing band and studio outfit, The Cimarons accompanied in the 1970s several artists linked to Trojan Records, among them Jimmy Cliff, Dennis Brown, Ken Boothe and Bob Marley, while developing their own repertoire. The band’s trajectory also includes stages shared with punk outfits at the end of the decade, in the context of Rock Against Racism, which illuminates The Cimarons’ unique place between Jamaican reggae culture and British musical life. Their discography notably includes In Time (1974), On the Rock (1976), Maka (1978), Live (1978), Freedom Street (1980), Reggaebility (1982) and On De Rock Part 2 (1983). The sound of The Cimarons rests on a flexible rhythm section, distinctive bass lines, sober arrangements and an approach that alternates roots songs, reworked covers and more dub versions. After several lineup changes, Locksley Gichie and Franklyn Dunn continued the group’s activity under the name The Cimarons.