Although this album was originally released in 2017, old slowcoach here has only just discovered its depth, insight, exciting nature and innate beauty. Incredibly this was only Andre Cymone’s second album since A.C. back in 1985. A whopping 29 years had passed before he released The Stone in 2014, but 1969 finds Andre clearly at the top of his game.

The Minneapolis native, born Andre Simon Anderson, grew up alongside one Prince Rogers Nelson, after the latter fled his own family’s home for the Anderson abode. Andre’s father was a musician, so it was natural that he followed in his dad’s footsteps, using a different spelling of middle name Simon as his performing moniker. After time spent in the bands Grand Central and 94 East (with Prince also a member), he joined The Purple One’s backing outfit as bassist during the late 1970s. Cymone left for a solo career in the new decade, putting out a pair of inspired albums Livin’ In The New Wave and the “Devo as a dance band” groove of Survivin’ In The 1980s in 1982 and 1983 respectively.

In 1985 he released out the aforementioned A.C. LP, which included the successful The Dance Electric single penned by his old mucker Prince. After that Andre spent most of his time producing and writing songs for a variety of artists including Adam Ant and Evelyn “Champagne” King. The first sign of a renewed interest in his solo career in many years came with the America single in 2012 and then The Stone LP arrived two years later.

1969 shows the man has retained all his skills for mixing up genres in such a skilful way, with Hendrix-style guitar overload nestling up to dance beats and real soul, plus a very astute way with words that imparts true wisdom. It has so much the feel of a truly important record I’m ashamed it has taken me so long to find out about it…

Andre Cymone’s website is here