Incognito

The enduring success of Incognito is one of the great stories of UK music during the last four decades. Look at the recent history of soulful UK artists and you will find any number of short-lived acts that have achieved pop success. Narrow it down to those that have created a uniquely British sound and have endured as a global phenomenon on their own terms, and the list becomes short. Dues, then to Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick and Incognito, formed in 1979 and celebrating almost 40 years of positive vibes and undiluted Jazz Funk and Soul.

A central component of the band’s massive and passionately loyal fan base has always been their powerful and energetic live shows.

The band has never lost it’s creative drive since conception. They have 18 studio albums, several remixed and Live albums and due to their global hit records such as “Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing”, “Always There” and “Nights Over Egypt” they have also appeared on countless compilations.

Ever the musical alchemist, Bluey brings his clubland roots into play with incredible remixes and collaborations with the best DJs in the business, including David Morales, Roger Sanchez Louis Vega and Masters At Work. This combination of live and club music is an essential part of the band’s longevity and success, and established Incognito as a global phenomenon.

Bluey and the band have always been socially aware and active. In 2005, Bluey formed the Hope Collective and released the single “Give & Let Live” in support of the Asian tsunami victims and the people of Darfur in the Sudan. The single featured an all-star line up that included Chaka Khan, Steve Winwood, and Omar.

When Japan was struck and devastated by a tsunami in 2011 Bluey and Incognito let an all star line up he named Love For Japan recording a single to raise much need funds entitled “Love Will Find a Way”.

In May of 2015, Incognito recorded and released the single, “Send Your Love”, to raise funds for UNICEF to aid the people of Nepal following the massive earthquake in that year.

“It’s a blessing to have a platform to be able to respond to any humanitarian crisis,” notes Bluey. “What good is fame if it can’t be of help to those in need?”

If you have not seen Incognito live, be informed that this is the band to see! They shine in every department, the grooves irresistible and the message always positive! Now almost 40 years on, the Bluey and Incognito story remains a uniquely Great British adventure. From Top 10 hits to producing and collaborating with legendary artists — from R&B icons and powerhouse vocalists to contemporary jazz musicians to international multi- instrumentalists and songwriters, including George Benson, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Philip Bailey, Jocelyn Brown, George Duke, Al Jarreau, Marcus Miller, Paul Weller, Maxi Priest, Mario Biondi, Phil Perry and Take 6 — Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick can take his place among the greats of global soul.

Incognito: Connecting the World to Music

by Katrina-Kasey Wheeler
September 3, 2008

What is in a song? Why is it that we connect to music? These are questions that the founder of Incognito, Jean-Paul “Bluey" Maunick has asked himself for the past several years. The UK-based band has returned with the release of Tales from the Beach (Heads Up, 2008). There are many layers to Incognito's music, representing a celebration of music and life, both in and out of the studio. Make no mistake: this pursuit of happiness through music is more ...

184

Film Review

Incognito In Concert

by Mark Sabbatini
March 24, 2005

Incognito In Concert Music Video Distributors 2005

This DVD brings out the inner child - at least the one going through the “why stage.

Why is Incognito, who say they “made their name as pioneers of British acid jazz, performing such nondescript funk? Why is this show being released after a decade? Why the cheesy overly colorful production? Why doesn't the audience look like they're more than lukewarm, even if the performers ...

237

Album Review

Incognito: Tribes, Vibes and Scribes

by AAJ Staff
August 1, 1997

This is one album which I have been meaning to review for you all for a while now. Featuring some of London's finest musicians including leader Bluey Maunick and Maysa Leak, few could forget her contributions to Tom Scott's wonderful “Don't get any better than this" from his Night Creatures set.

I have been listening to Incognito since the early eighties when they produced their Jazz Funk album during the fusion rage and then they ...

Interview

Getting Surreal, One On One With Bluey Maunick Of Incognito

Source: 1888 Media
April 5, 2012

A SURREAL INTRODUCTION By Bluey of Incognito Say the word “surreal" and various things come to mind - dreamlike, unreal, fantastic, odd, bizarre or even weird. For me the experiences leading to the final outcome of Incognito’s fifteenth studio album have been an amalgamation of all these synonyms and expressions! We have our own sound and we have a fan base worldwide, but this was not the time to sit on our laurels or cut corners to compete ...
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400

Recording

Incognito - Transatlantic RPM (2010)

Source: Something Else!
August 2, 2010

By PicoLast week, that venerable soul-jazz outfit out of London Incognito released a new disc Transatlantic RPM, an occasion we marked with a couple of streams to songs to tracks on that record (click here to listen to the streams of “Lowdown" and “Gotta"). Now, it's time to delve into this platter, but first, a little background:Incognito has always been about the musical vision of one man, producer/songwriter/guitarist Jean-Paul “Bluey" Maunick, one of the driving forces ...
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108

Recording

Preview: Incognito Releases Transatlantic RPM Today

Source: Something Else!
July 28, 2010

By PicoLike Jamiroquai, Icognito is one of those British bands that's faithfully carrying the torch for good ol' American seventies-styled jazz-funk & soul better than anybody in the USA is doing these days. And Incognito, formed 31 years ago, is arguably the first of these so-called acid jazz outfits that emerged from the London scene in earnest during the 90s.Today brings the release of their 14th official studio release, Transatlantic RPM, and this one's got a ...
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330

Recording

Incognito "Live in London - The 30th Anniversary Concert" Coming to DVD, Blu-Ray, and CD on April 20, 2010

Source: Michael Ricci
March 1, 2010

Incognito “Live In London - The 30th Anniversary Concert" Coming to DVD, Blu-ray, and CD on April 20, 2010

Nearly 3 hours of performance and bonus features... Recorded in High Definition!

Inakustik and MVD Visual are proud to announce the DVD, Blu-ray, and CD release of Incognito “Live In London - The 30th Anniversary Concert" on April 20, 2010.

Incognito is far more than just a band. The sound visionary Jean-Paul “Bluey" Maunick has been pioneering in the mercurial acid ...
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225

Festival

Incognito Highlights Closing Night at Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival 2009

Source: All About Jazz
December 9, 2008

INCOGNITO TO PERFORM ON FEBRUARY 27th, 2009 AT DUBAI MEDIA CITY OUTDOOR AMPHITHEATER. THE BAND WILL BE PERFORMING IN THIS REGION FOR THE FIRST TIME AND EXPETED TO ATTRACT A HUGE HUNGRY FAN BASE FROM ALL AROUND THE REGION. Regarded as one of the key members of the English acid jazz movement, Their debut album, Jazz Funk, was released in 1981, with twelve more albums following, the last of which, Tales From The Beach, was released in 2008. Throughout the ...
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361

Interview

Incognito Leader Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz
September 3, 2008

What is in a song? Why is it that we connect to music? These are questions that the founder of Incognito, Jean-Paul “Bluey" Maunick has asked himself for the past several years.

The UK-based band has returned with the release of Tales from the Beach (Heads Up, 2008). There are many layers to the Incognito's music, representing a celebration of music and life, both in and out of the studio. Make no mistake: this pursuit of happiness through music is ...
read more

Forty years since their inception, Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick's Incognito continue to forge ahead with Tomorrow's New Dream, closing out a third straight decade in which they have released at least five studio albums of feel-good soul, jazz, and funk. Longtime fans knowledgeable about the group's roots might long for another cover — the album LP is nothing but originals — but connections are made with some greats. Phil Perry joins Maysa to lead the crystalline "For the Love of You" (akin to Masterjam-era Rufus & Chaka Khan, not an Isleys update), and Take 6 add their goosebump-raising harmonies to "The Weather Report" (another Incognito tune paying tribute to a band only in title)