CD-Charts Position 1
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Tales from the Beach

by: Incognito

Release Date May 05, 2008
After "Bees And Things And Flowers," I was so looking forward to "Tales" (and maybe that was the problem)that I almost ripped the cd out of the posties hands.

But after a couple of listens I was ready to consign it to the "looks like they are on the downslope" section of my cd collection.The more laid back acoustic groove of what I thought was merely a stop gap release in "Bees....." remained and I was left thinking, where had they left their funkiness?

HOWEVER......I am happy to report I was very very wrong. Having stuck with it "Tales..." is actually a very mature collection of songs from a band who are at the top of their playing/singing abilities. The first 7 tracks demonstrate what the album is all about - the ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
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More Tales: Remixed

by: Incognito

Release Date November 03, 2008
After "Bees And Things And Flowers," I was so looking forward to "Tales" (and maybe that was the problem)that I almost ripped the cd out of the posties hands.

But after a couple of listens I was ready to consign it to the "looks like they are on the downslope" section of my cd collection.The more laid back acoustic groove of what I thought was merely a stop gap release in "Bees....." remained and I was left thinking, where had they left their funkiness?

HOWEVER......I am happy to report I was very very wrong. Having stuck with it "Tales..." is actually a very mature collection of songs from a band who are at the top of their playing/singing abilities. The first 7 tracks demonstrate what the album is all about - the ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
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Life, Stranger Than Fiction

by: Incognito

Release Date June 11, 2001
This is the latest release in the amazing career, of for me, the finest Jazz-funk band ever assembled. Once again you will be blown away by the superb production of all YES all 14 tracks on this album. Highlights are the opening "stay mine" with the now familiar Incognito style that is instantly recognisable yet totally individual. "Worlds Collide" & Castles In The Air" are masterpieces of soul, jazz fusing with orchestration and stunning vocal arrangements leaving you wanting more.............. "Rivers Runnin' Black" is the mainly instrumental track that is the benchmark of all Incognito albums and is currently getting airplay courtesy of "Jazz FM". For me however, the ultimate track is the closing title "Down to Earth" this starts with a ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
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100º And Rising

by: Incognito

Release Date August 28, 2000
I just had to write this review as I couldn't allow this album to have such a luke-warm presence on Amazon!!

Some fantastic songs - you'll start checking to see where you've heard them before but they are so memorable they ingrain themselves on your mind very quicly!!

And the production, arrangements and playing are superb - simply top quality.

Not only do we have the excellent core of all the best Incognito - their fantastic rhythm section Julian Crampton is on top form particularly on bass - but you alss have some of the best Jazz musicians in the UK - like Ed Jones on Saxes and Gerard Presencer on Trumpet/Flugel.

But the songs and the depth of vocal talent really stand out as always with Incognito ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
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Positivity

by: Incognito

Release Date August 28, 2000
"Positivty" is probably the best Acid-Jazz album ever recorded. It combines smooth, jazzy beats with soul, funk and dance music. Maysa Leak's vocals are truly splendid, and add to the beauty of the album. Generally, the album is brilliant, but there are a few tracks which stick out, namely:
Still a Friend of Mine- This brilliant song features an acapella breakdown which gives the listener the chance to hear Maysa's vocals devoid of all instruments and backing music- an absoulte treat!

Positivity- Possibly my favourite track on the album. It really is a gem, and NEEDS to be listened to if you are feeling down or depressed: honestly, it literally lifts you up!

Deep Water- Is a beautiful Jazz ballad that sets a very romantic ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
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Bees + Things + Flowers

by: Incognito

Release Date October 02, 2006
That's the Way of the World and Everybody Loves the Sunshine are two of my all-time favourite songs. In the hands of almost anybody else, I'd have been horrified to hear that someone was trying to produce a cover of either....

....but this is Bluey and Incognito, so all bets are off.

For the most part, I consider those late 70s Earth Wind & Fire tracks to be just about perfect. Trying to cover or remix them is a bit like drawing a moustache on the Mona Lisa. Yet Incognito's cover of That's the Way of the World somehow manages to simplify the arrangement without losing anything of the subtle groove. And the last few bars, with Matt Cooper's Rhodes and Andy Ross's flute, just make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
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The Best of Incognito

by: Incognito

Release Date December 04, 2000
That's the Way of the World and Everybody Loves the Sunshine are two of my all-time favourite songs. In the hands of almost anybody else, I'd have been horrified to hear that someone was trying to produce a cover of either....

....but this is Bluey and Incognito, so all bets are off.

For the most part, I consider those late 70s Earth Wind & Fire tracks to be just about perfect. Trying to cover or remix them is a bit like drawing a moustache on the Mona Lisa. Yet Incognito's cover of That's the Way of the World somehow manages to simplify the arrangement without losing anything of the subtle groove. And the last few bars, with Matt Cooper's Rhodes and Andy Ross's flute, just make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
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Jazz Funk

by: Incognito

Release Date September 07, 1992
Played the first four tracks of this album on the website(I like to know what I'm getting!)and felt this would be a good purchase at £8.99 via Amazon.I've not been disappointed.For those who like their music in the jazzy,upbeat and improvised style,most of the 11 tracks are just the job and although one or two are a little dated,there isn't a bad one where I feel I have to skip.And let's face it,there aren't many albums around that produce no 'bummers' in the content.

Parisienne Girl,Summer's Ended,Wake Up The City,Shine On and Sunburn are funky bliss,and Incognito,The Smile Of A Child,Interference and Why Don't You Believe are a refreshing combination with this.

I look forward to building a back catalogue of this band,one I have clearly ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
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Eleven

by: Incognito

Release Date November 07, 2005
Hmm, Incognito.
I remember the deep joy when i found out the Incognito had reformed in the early 90's and had blasted back into the charts with Almost There, way after their birth in the early 80's as part of the Brit Funk movement.
Since then, a string a albums, and some hits, and there have been some really good songs, tunes and impeccable musicianship along the way.
Recently though, i feel that a lot of their stuff is sounding very samey, very soulful, yes, but there is little that is vibrant and exciting.
The sound and production is so polished that the rawness and excitement has been sterilised out, leaving a bland succession of songs that are merely OK. Incognito have, i feel, 'lost the funk' somewhere along the way. Their excellent ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

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No Time Like The Future

by: Incognito

Release Date March 08, 1999
Thirty years ago the lukewarm preserve of James Last and Ronnie Hazlehurst, now the softened Jazz master so cool, you'll need to appreciate the concept of absolute zero to register the temperature of Incognito.
Lift Muzak? Hotel Lounge? Monsieur sil't u plait! Bluey has a level of sophistication that earns him a niche all his own. This is fully orchestrated peerless acid Jazz. Everywhere there are similarities and you can name check all the tags for Anita Baker, Jeff Bradshaw or Norman Brown - but you'll only get close. Please don't say London /UK-ish this or that, just not even in the same league. New York isn't accurate either but at least suggests the level of sophistication this reaches.
The arrangements are written with precision and detail normally ... Read More: