British
band
Incognito
is widely known as the leading exponent of the acid jazz movement. A
look at their discography reveals that they have already released 13
albums and 11 compilations and remixes. Mastermind of the group is
composer, record producer, guitarist and singer,
Jean-Paul 'Bluey' Maunick. Incognito is
an ever-changing collective of musicians handpicked by Bluey. His
bubbling exuberant creativity also gave expression in side projects
like Citrus Sun and Inner Shade.
The new album is called Tales From The Beach
and is set for worldwide release on Heads Up International for June
24, 2008. In Europe and Japan the album is on sale since April. The
album was recorded in Italy, Germany, Indonesia and London and mixed
in Jakarta. The origin of the album title is to find in Bluey's
heritage: “When I was a kid, my first taste of music came from
the beaches of Mauritius,” he says. “I spent a lot of time listening
to the hotel bands, or the bands playing around the bonfires and
cookouts. It’s a small island, so there were beaches everywhere. I was
always watching live musicians play. So for inspiration for this
album, I went back to various beaches around the world – in Italy,
Indonesia and elsewhere – and just let the music flow.”
Step Aside is starter of the album
featuring singer Joy Rose. Joy released an ep in 2006 titled Grace,
which garnered critical acclaim from both sides of the Atlantic. The
song is about an disillusioned love and the decision to step aside.
On I've Been Waiting shines diva Maysa
Leak, the queen of soul. Maysa has seen and felt the ups and downs
of life (she wrote it all down in her public diary). Who can better
sing about longing for the ideal man than Maysa? She has the emotional
power.
Experts of the music of EWF will certainly
recognize similarities in the arrangement on When The Sun Comes
Down. An awesome ballade interpreted by Tony Momrelle. He is an
R&B and soul singer and songwriter, one of the most exciting and
significant musicians on modern British stage. Since more than 6 years
is he the lead singer of Incognito.
Love, Joy, Understanding is Imaani's philosophy for a better
living together. Build on a stomping beat Incognito perform a
well-known great horn and choir arrangement. I Come Alive (Rimshots
And Basses) is definitely a jazz influenced swinging song
featuring Joy Rose in great action.
The uplifting Happy People conjures a
better life. Singer Tony Momrelle interprets this maxim. A syncopated
rhythm with finest horn arrangement and a topping flute. N.O.T.
is composed by Bluey and Matt Cooper. Singer Imaani declares their
decision of freedom. Matt and Ski Oakenfull add some flabbergasting
keyboards effects. Excellent Paul Greenwood on flute.
For dance freaks is Freedom To Love a must.
Reach the dance floor! A fantastic rhythm and a thrilling song, that
is the ultimate potential for a chart buster. On I Remember A
Time Maysa reappears for a heartbreaking song. Matt Cooper, who
had recently weathered a heart-wrenching breakup with his girlfriend
wrote the song with Blues. Bluey recalls:" “I was writing songs with
him while all this was going on, and he kind of confided in me. He’d
written a piece of music – a skeleton of what the song would
eventually become – and I came up with some lyrics. He took one look
at the lyrics and he disappeared for a while. I later found him out in
the garden crying. To me, this is what writing music is all about.
Whether you like this song or not, I know we have achieved something
great with this piece of music.”
It May Rain Sometime presents Joy Rose in a lovely ballade full of
melancholy and hope. Never Look Back stands in the sign of
contemporary jazz. Awesome horn arrangements, Trevor Mires'
unsurpassed trombone, Matt Cooper's piano solo, Paul Greenwood's sax
and Maysa's sultry scat song, what can be nearer to musical paradise.
On the soulful tune When Words Are Just Words
shines Maysa again. The song is about a relationship with an
emotional roller coaster. "It would be absurd when I believe the
promise would never die." Feel The Pressure is the right place
to expand contemporary keyboards and sound effects.
Silence Of My Mind is another vocal
highlight with a brilliant Imaani in lead and backing vocals. Terrific
arrangement and interpretation. Tales From The Beach closes
this formidable album. A short track propelled by Julian Crampton's
bass and Bluey's syncopated guitar riffs.
Tales From The Beach offers all
ingredients of a typical Incognito album: Sultry vocals, blissful
horns and terrific arrangements. A gem of musical eternity.
