Incognito - Transatlantic R.P.M. (UK, 2010)

Incognito - Transatlantic R.P.M. (UK, 2010)

Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick and Incognito have become an insitution on the British groove scene, for their jazz-funk and nu-soul hybrid. Transatlantic R.P.M. marks Maunick's 30 years in the music biz and celebrates with 14 new songs, 13 of them originals. Bluey enlisted a slew of friends to join the party. The set opens with the album's lone cover: a convincing reading of Boz Scaggs' "Lowdown," featuring Italian clubjazz singer Mario Biondi and Chaka Khan. The arrangement doesn't differ all that much from Scaggs' version (thankfully) but the meld of Biondi's and Khan's rough-edged lead vocals juxtaposed with a smooth backing chorus, a slightly faster tempo, and a popping bassline after the bridge, distinguishes it. Another notable cut is Bluey's funky name checking homage to the 70s and his youth entitled "75"; it's sung by Joy Rose with a gorgeous horn arrangement by Kevin Robinson. Leon Ware puts in a fine performance on the babymaker, makeup number "Line In The Sand." Bluey's guitar work is, as usual, tasteful and understated, but adds immeasurably. Ursula Rucker sings and speaks on the stepper "Gotta," while Khan gets her own showcaseon the jazzy, string and Rhodes laden, "The Song." Longtime vocalist Maysa shines on the summery "Your Love My Sky," with beautiful guitar work from Bluey and a fine brass arrangement by Trevor Mires. The lone instrumental on the set "Expresso Madureira," mixes Brazilian and Afro Latin rhythms in a heady, funk brew with popping percussion and horns. A Stevie Wonder meets Roy Ayers vibe distinguishes the '70s groove at work in "Life Ain't Nothin' But A Good Thing" sung by Vanessa Haynes. Biondi returns on the breakbeat clubjazz of "Can't Get Enough," backed by Incognito's stellar chorus. Bluey even takes a vocal on the closer, "Tell Me What To Do." While he's no match for the other singers here, the track's breaking, cut time rhythm, breezy atmosphere, and lithe, sensual melody makes it a nu-soul winner. Incognito may not be innovating on Transatlantic R.P.M., but in showcasing the many places they've been, and the wide vein they've mined, they don't need to. This is a summeritme party record with fine songs and good vibes in abundance.

Incognito - Transatlantic R.P.M. (UK, 2010)

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.

• 
  
• 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
• 
  
• 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)

Incognito - Tales From The Beach (UK, 2008)

Incognito - Tales From The Beach (UK, 2008)

However fans choose to label Incognito's sound in the post-acid jazz world of 2008, it was clear that wherever the group performs, its feisty mix of retro soul, brass, funk, and jazz truly lived up to the title of 2004's Narada Jazz disc Adventures in Black Sunshine. Founder Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick and his often rotating "collective" group averaged an incredible six months a year on the road, wowing crowds throughout Europe and Asia, where they're biggest in Japan and Indonesia. Incognito's uniquely funky, retro soul sound is so urban that it may have at first seemed odd to call their equally infectious, constantly grooving Heads Up debut Tales from the Beach -- 'til we realize that the beaches Maunick is referring to are those on his native island of Mauritius (off the coast of Madagascar). That's where he got wind of hotel bands and others playing around bonfires and cookouts; the loose, happy flow of Incognito's bouncy, horn inflected tunes here completely reflects that wistful reference. While Maunick's crisp, jangling guitar work, Francis Hylton's bubbling bass, and those old-school soul atmospheres and horns inhabit every melody and groove, these tales are told by a …  » Read more

Tracks

   

1 Step Aside Hylton, Maunick 5:58

2 I've Been Waiting Grey, Maunick 4:28

3 When the Sun Comes Down Bull, Maunick 4:46

4 Love Joy Understanding Cooper, Maunick 6:44

5 I Come Alive (Rimshots and Basses) Cooper, Maunick 3:54

6 Happy People Hylton, Maunick 4:16

7 N.O.T. Cooper, Maunick 6:10

8 Freedom to Love Maunick, Oakenfull 6:45

9 I Remember a Time Cooper, Maunick 5:29

10 It May Rain Sometime Maunick 2:06

11 Never Look Back Bull, Maunick 6:44

12 When Words Are Just Words Bull, Harvey, Maunick 6:12

13 Feel the Pressure Maunick, Oakenfull 4:46

14 Silence of My Mind Bull, Maunick 3:54

15 Tales from the Beach Crampton, Maunick, Momrelle 1:42

Richard Bailey Conga, Drums, Percussion, Shaker, Timbales

Richard Bull Audio Production, Bass, Composer, Drums, Engineer, Percussion, Piano, Piano (Electric), Producer

Matt Cooper Audio Production, Clavinet, Clay Pot, Composer, Drums, Engineer, Fender Rhodes, Moog Bass, Moog Synthesizer, Percussion, Piano, Producer, Soloist, Synthesizer

Simon Cotsworth Engineer, Mixing

Julian Crampton Bass, Composer

Alan Emptage Engineer

Sid Gauld Arranger, Brass Arrangement, Flugelhorn, Trumpet

Paul Greenwood Arranger, Brass Arrangement, Flute, Sax (Alto), Sax (Tenor), Saxophone

Simon Grey Audio Production, Bass, Clavinet, Composer, Drums, Engineer, Fender Rhodes, Percussion, Producer, Synthesizer

Graham Harvey Composer, Piano (Electric)

Stuart Hawkes Mastering

Jason Howes Audio Engineer, Engineer

Francis Hylton Audio Production, Bass, Composer, Drums, Keyboards, Percussion, Producer

Imaani Vocals (Background)

Chris Lewis Audio Engineer

Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick Audio Production, Brass Arrangement, Composer, Guitar, Liner Notes, Percussion, Producer

Maysa Vocals

Trevor Mires Arranger, Brass Arrangement, Trombone

Tony Momrelle Composer, Vocals, Vocals (Background)

Dominic "Ski" Oakenfull Arp, Bass, Beats, Composer, Drum Programming, Engineer, Fender Rhodes, Mellotron, Mini Moog, Percussion, Percussion Programming, Piano, Producer, Synthesizer

Ski Oakenfull Arp, Audio Production, Drum Programming, Fender Rhodes, Mellotron, Mini Moog, Percussion, Percussion Programming, Piano, Synthesizer, Synthesizer Strings

Joy Rose Vocals, Vocals (Background)

Iwan Wiradz Bongos, Conga, Kendhang, Shaker, Tambourine, Vocals, Wind Chimes

Incognito - Tales From The Beach (UK, 2008)

Incognito - Inside Life (UK, 1991)

Incognito - Inside Life (UK, 1991)

Excelente entrega de esta famosa banda inglesa. Para gozar y disfrutar !

1 Inside Life Maunick, Stuart 4:33
2 One Step to a Miracle Maunick, Robinson 4:46
3 Journey into the Sunlight Maunick 4:07
4 Gypsy Maunick, Robinson 5:29
5 Promise You the Moon Hinds, Maunick 5:29
6 Sketches in the Dark Maunick, Robinson 4:23
7 Metropolis Maunick, Muriel 5:09
8 Love Is the Color Carless, Maunick 4:09
9 Soho Carless, Maunick, Muriel, Sanctuary 5:00
10 Always There Allen, Jeffrey, Laws 5:05
11 Crazy for You Bull, Henry, Hnery, Maunick 3:31

Bud Beadle: Flute
Goetz Botzenhardt: Assistant Engineer
Jocelyn Brown: Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Richard Bull: Bass, Drum Programming, Drums, Instrumentation, Keyboards, Mixing, Multi Instruments, Percussion Programming, Producer, Programming
Ray Carless: Sax (Tenor), Saxophone
Simon Cotsworth: Assistant Producer, Engineer, Mixing, Production Assistant, Programming, Triangle
Andy Gangadeen: Drums
Elizabeth Gray Vocals (Background)
Gavin Harrison Drums, Percussion
Graham Harvey Keyboards, Piano
Peter Hinds Clavinet, Fender Rhodes, Keyboards, Synthesizer
Randy Hope-Taylor: Bass
Louis Jardine Agogo Bell, Batá Drums, Bells, Cabasa, Conga, Cuica, Cymbals, Percussion, Shaker, Tambourine, Whistle (Human)
Chris Joris ?, Bells, Berimbau, Bongos, Shaker, Sound Effects, Tabla, Tambourine, Triangle, Wood Block
Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick: Bass, Drum Programming, Drums, Guitar, Keyboards, Mixing, Percussion, Producer, Programming, Synthesizer Bass, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Linda Muriel: Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Raphael Rastelli: Assistant Engineer
Kevin Robinson: Flugelhorn, Trumpet
Winston Rollins: Trombone, Vocals, Voices
Gary Sanctuary: Bass, CS-80, Drums, Fender Rhodes, Keyboards, Organ, Organ (Hammond), Percussion, Piano, Producer, Programming, Strings, Synthesizer, Synthesizer Strings, Synthesizer Vibes, Vocoder
Ray Simpson: Vocals (Background)
Matthew Stuart: Drums, Percussion, Producer, Programming
Karl Van Den Bossche: Bongos, Cowbell, Shaker, Timbales, Triangle, Wind Chimes, Wood Block
Nicholas Vandooren: Assistant Engineer
Fayyaz Virji : Trombone
Darren Westbrook: Assistant EngineerArtist

Incognito - Inside Life (UK, 1991)

Incognito - Jazz Funk (UK, 1981)

Incognito - Jazz Funk (UK, 1981)

Incognito es una banda británica de funk y soul, y uno de los miembros más representativos del acid jazz británico.

Incognito es un proyecto personal de Jean-Paul 'Bluey' Maunick, su fundador y guitarrista y el autor de la mayoría de las composiciones de la banda. Bluey formó Incognito en 1980, influenciado por artistas como Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Santana, Eart Wind & Fire o Kool & The Gang.¹ La formación original estaba liderada por el propio Bluey y el bajista Paul Williams, y estaba compuesta además por el saxofonista George Lee, el batería Jeff Dunn, el teclista Peter Hinds y el percusionista Gee Bello, quienes contaron con la colaboración de otros músicos de estudio para registrar el álbum debut de la banda, un disco íntegramente instrumental titulado "Jazz Funk' que fue presentado en 1981.

Durante el resto de la década cada uno de los integrantes originales del proyecto tomó su propio camino, y Bluey continuó componiendo y produciendo para otros artistas al tiempo que mantenía un trabajo fuera de la música. A finales de los '80 Bluey conoció a Gilles Peterson, el fundador del sello "Acid Jazz", quien produjo el segundo álbum de la banda, "Inside Life" en 1991, lanzado diez años más tarde que el disco de debut de cuya formación sólo quedaba Maunick. El disco contaba con la poderosa voz de la diva del soul Jocelyn Brown, y supuso todo un éxito, situando a la banda a la cabeza del nuevo fenómeno musical conocido como Acid Jazz y dirigido por Gilles Peterson, propietario de los dos sellos más importantes del movimiento: "Acid Jazz" y "Talking Loud".

Desde entonces hasta el momento Bluey ha publicado un total de doce álbumes de estudio bajo el nombre del proyecto, contando siempre con la colaboración de los mejores músicos de estudio londinenses,² que han ido desfilando sucesivamente en las grabaciones y tours del grupo con una sola excepción: La cantante norteamericana Maysa Leak ha sido el único elemento relativamente estable en las diversas formaciones por las que ha pasado la banda, abandonándola temporalmente para iniciar su carrera en solitario³ para regresar posteriormente. (Fuente: Wikipedia)

Acá arrancamos con su primer disco: Jazz Funk del año 1981.

1 Parisienne Girl

2 Summer's Ended

3 Shine On

4 Wake up the City  

5 Interference

6 Incognito

7 Sunburn

8 The Smile of a Child

9 Why Don't You Believe Me?

10 Chase the Clouds Away

11 Walking on Wheels  

Incognito

Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick Producer

Francis Usmar Assistant Producer, Producer

Joe Williams Executive Producer

Paul Williams Executive Producer, Producer

Incognito - Jazz Funk (UK, 1981)