feature photo: Amanda Searle
Music designed to motivate you to move usually seems to work better when it’s made by hand. Since 1979, Incognito and its mastermind Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick has stuck with that approach in the realm of crossover funk-jazz while mainstream music has grown increasingly reliant on technology too often at the expense of human creativity. It’s an approach that’s paid off well for this UK-based group as they are still going as strong as ever.
Bluey & Incognito took a victory lap of sorts with a monstrous, 8 disc retrospective Always There: 1981-2021, but return two years later rolling up their sleeves ready to keep building on that four-decade legacy. Into You (Shanachie Entertainment) is Incognito’s 19th album, and shows no sign of the formula turning stale.
If anything, Into You finds Maunick reinvigorated because as the only essential member (save for perhaps frequent collaborator Richard Bull), Maunick can bring in new blood whenever it’s suitable to maintain that freshness.
One of key additions this time is a lead guitarist, in the guise of the very capable Charlie Allen. There’s no Maysa this time, but no worries, because Maunick always finds vocalists who bring out the best in his songs, and vice versa. Natalie Duncan (Goldie, Disclosure) comes on board and makes an immediate impact with the lead-off single “Keep Me In The Dark,” as does Allen with his Benson-like fluid lines that makes its case at the end of the tune.
Cherry V returns for Into You and handles the lead vocal duties for the title track and just as Bluey deigned it, her voice is well suited this quality quiet storm song. Incognito has a third lead vocalist on this record and long-time member Tony Momrelle comes up aces whenever a smooth, soulful male voice is called for, as for his co-lead with Duncan feature “Reconcile the Pieces.” Sometimes the songs work better when there’s a chorus of singers, as with “Nothing Makes Me Feel Better,” which is disco done right anchored nimbly by co-composer Basile Petite on bass (the chorus vocals even say so!).
The mid-tempo “Colourblind” has a hypnotic jazz chord progression which keyboardist Chicco Allotta dances all around. Allotta can also compose and sing, and he brings both gifts to bear for to “1993,” a snazzy, Brazilian-inflected song he co-wrote with Bluey, and Allen is on hand to provide stylish guitar licks.
“Stories of Our Past” is emblematic of Incognito doing disco right, with punchy horn charts, steady groovin’ and interesting chord patterns. A dreamy vibe is adroitly laid over a head-nodding mid-tempo pulse “Days Like These,” and a rubbery bass progression from Francis Hylton (who is locking down the groove everywhere on this record).
Incognito started as an instrumental band and a handful of lyric-less tracks usually still appear on their albums. The ones on Into You are particularly strong. “The Lowrider” is one led by Paul Booth’ sax before Allen takes over on the bridge. “Come to Me” features a perky flugelhorn from Sid Gauld. “Close to Midnight” appeals because the rhythm section is playing so tight with Allen contributing tasty rhythm guitar and keyed by the vibraphone of Max Beesley.
Bluey himself is the focal point for the breezy closing track “Back On The Beach,” a song he sings background and plays lead guitar, bringing this talented assemblage full circle to its origins.
No one does feel-good jazzy RnB better than Jean-Paul ‘Bluey’ Maunick and his Incognito ensemble. Into You will lift spirits with crafty grooves from start to finish because there are no sag points.
Into You can be yours now over at Bandcamp.
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