Incognito - Surreal (UK, 2012)

Incognito - Surreal (UK, 2012)

After collaborating with the likes of Chaka Khan, spoken word artist Ursula Rucker, and Italian soul singer Mario Biondi on 2010's Transatlantic RPM, British acid jazz pioneers Incognito hand over the vocal reins to a younger crowd for their 15th studio album, Surreal. It's an inspired move showing that, 30 years on from their debut album, bandleader Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick still has his finger on the pulse. While longtime singers Maysa and Vanessa Haynes remain a vital part of the setup, the former kicking off proceedings in style with the bass-driven funk of "The Less You Know," the latter channeling the divas of the Studio 54 era on a cover of Queen Yahna's '70s cult disco classic "Ain't It Time," it's the new recruits who steal the show. German-born vocalist Mo Brandis displays a maturity and soulfulness far beyond his 26 years on the John Legend-esque lead single "Goodbye to Yesterday" and the summery jazz of "Don't Wanna Know," while Ronnie Scott's regular Natalie Williams justifies the Erykah Badu/Jill Scott comparisons on the gorgeously slinky chillout of "Restless as We Are" and the dreamy bossa nova of "The Stars from Here." If they can hang on to this highly talented lineup, then Incognito's future appears to be in very safe hands indeed.

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• 01 – The Less You Know
  02 – Goodbye To Yesterday
  03 – Above The Night
  04 – Ain’t It Time
  05 – Capricorn Sun
  06 – Don’t Wanna Know
  07 – Restless As We Are
  08 – Rivers On The Sun
  09 – Don’t Break Me Down
  10 – The Stars From Here
  11 – To Be With You
  12 – This Must Be Love
  13 – The Way You Love
  14 – Thoughtful Fantasies
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• Phonographic Copyright (p) – Bluey Music Ltd
• Copyright (c) – Bluey Music Ltd
• Licensed To – Edel Germany GmbH
• Distributed By – Edel:Distribution
• Made By – Optimal Media GmbH
• Manufactured By – Optimal Media GmbH

Jamie Anderson Composer, Flute, Horn Arrangements, Saxophone

Eric Appapoulaye Guitars

Pete Ray Biggin Composer, Drums

Mo Brandis Composer, Engineer, Keyboards, Producer, Vocals, Vocals (Background)

Richard Bull Bass, Composer, Drums, Engineer, Guitars, Percussion, Producer

Mitchy Bwoy Design

João Caetano Percussion

Nigel Conway Management

Matt Cooper Engineer, Fender Rhodes, Keyboards, Producer

Matthew Cooper Composer

Giuliano Eboulia Photography

Alexei Elfenbein Bass, Composer

Sid Gould Flugelhorn, Horn Arrangements, Trumpet

Vanessa Haynes Vocals, Vocals (Background)

Francis Hylton Bass, Composer, Drums, Engineer, Guitars, Keyboards, Percussion, Producer

Imaani Vocals, Vocals (Background)

Incognito Primary Artist

Jan Kinkaid Drums

José Lasheras Photography

Robin Leggett Staff

Chris Lewis Staff

Arthur Manning Composer

Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick Composer

Takami Maunick Executive Assistant, Photography

Maysa Vocals, Vocals (Background)

Ernie McKone Bass

Francesco Mendolia Drums

Trevor Mires Composer, Horn Arrangements, Trombone

Mo Hausler Engineer, Mastering, Mixing

Dominic Oakenfull Composer

Ski Oakenfull Engineer, Keyboards, Producer

Camilla Pay Harp

Charlise Rookwood Staff

Steve Thornton Percussion

Alistair White Trombone

Natalie Williams Composer, Vocals, Vocals (Background)

Incognito - Surreal (UK, 2012)