Track Listing

1. Still A Friend Of Mine - Incognito, Jean Paul "Bluey" Maunick, Richard John Bull, Tyrrell
2. Smiling Faces - Incognito, Jean Paul "Bluey" Maunick, Richard John Bull, Simon Cotsworth
3. Where Do We Go From Here - Incognito, Jean Paul "Bluey" Maunick, Ray Hayden, Tyrrell
4. Positivity - Incognito, Jean Paul "Bluey" Maunick, Richard John Bull, Simon Cotsworth
5. Deep Waters - Incognito, Jean Paul "Bluey" Maunick, Richard John Bull, Simon Cotsworth
6. Pieces Of A Dream - Incognito, Jean Paul "Bluey" Maunick, Richard John Bull, Simon Cotsworth
7. Talkin' Loud - Incognito, Jean Paul "Bluey" Maunick, Richard John Bull, Simon Cotsworth
8. Thinking About Tomorrow - Incognito, Jean Paul "Bluey" Maunick, Richard John Bull, Simon Cotsworth
9. Do Right - Incognito, Jean Paul "Bluey" Maunick, Ray Hayden
10. Inversions - Incognito, Jean Paul "Bluey" Maunick, Ron Aslan
11. Better Days - Incognito, Jean Paul "Bluey" Maunick, Ron Aslan
12. Keep The Fires Burning - Incognito, Jean Paul "Bluey" Maunick, Ray Hayden
13. Givin It Up - Incognito, Jean Paul "Bluey" Maunick, Richard John Bull, Roger Sanchez, Simon Cotsworth
14. Still A Friend Of Mine - Incognito, Jean Paul "Bluey" Maunick, Richard John Bull

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #36172 in Music
• Released on: 2000-08-28
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 68 minutes

CD Description
Since the glory days of Earth, Wind & Fire, many groups have tried to extend upon Maurice White's classic synthesis of ethnic rhythms, salsa, soul, jazz and funk. Now, along comesIncognito, with their own suave brand of contemporary jazz/R&B. Rising from the ashes of the early 1980s British funk-jazz scene (which produced chart-toppers such as Level 42, Shakatak and Sade), Incognito is a hard grooving 12-piece ensemble featuring soaring horns, a dynamic vocal trio and a pulsing rhythm section. Taking off on the success of their two previous Verve/Forecast releases (INSIDE LIFE and TRIBES, VIBES AND SCRIBES), Incognito really gelled as a live band during their triumphant 1992 American tour, when their opening act often upstaged headliners Lee Ritenour and The Yellowjackets.
Guitarist Jean Paul "Bluesy" Maunick is the creative force behind Incognito, and it was his strength of vision which kept the idea of British funk-jazz alive after the scene more or less collapsed in the mid-1980s. Maunick's writing/arranging skills were showcased on a pair of tunes he conceived for Maxi Priest's 1989 hit album, BONAFIDE, enabling him to re-tool Incognito in its present form.
"Bluesy" Maunick's arranging skills are heard to particular advantage onthe acid jazz groove "Deep Waters", where he sets up a lean, infectious pulse for his tale of sensual surrender, as thevocalists and rhythm players trade figures back and forth in wave after wave of warm harmonies. The resulting music is smooth, sumptuous funk. Lead vocalist Maysa Leak's horn-likefluency and effortless sense of swing contribute mightily to the group sound, which is part of Incognito's appeal: while Leak, Mark Anthoni and Sarah Brown set the melodic direction for each song, the overall effect (as on the James Brown-inspired anthem "Talkin' Loud") is of free-spirited interplay and melodic give and take--their vocal harmonies are oftenused as a compliment to the horn and rhythm sections.

Customer Reviews

The best Britfunk album - ever?
Jazzfunk was a classic of my youth, embodying the best of '80s Britfunk. And when one of my wife's students played this at a party, I couldn't believe the band were still around!
The time had just served to improve the band's sound. This is the most polished, catchy collection of smooth, melodious funk that you can get on a piece of plastic.
I've since offered the album to several of my jazz-loving mates, who didn't know Incognito, and they're all addicts. Buy it.

Excellent Chill-Out Music!
I was highly recommended this album by a friend, and it has not let me down! For anyone wanting to chill out to soft-jazz, or is looking for music to listen to on the road: buy this album! All of the songs have a great beat, and within two plays of a track, I guarantee you'll be singing along! This is the first Incognito album I've bought, and it certainly won't be the last!

A "New Age Jazz Standard!"
I found this album great, from a musicians point of view. Currently studying Jazz, I found that it was good to listen to, from an educational point of view. If you are a young person getting into Jazz, it is a good educational listen, as far as broadening your horizons, especially for a keyboard player. It is true Acid Jazz, similar in style to the early Jamiroquai stuff. If your not a musician, & listen to jazz, again, it is probably a worth while addition to your collection. It gets a thumbs up from me!