In the acid-jazz scene, there’s no one that has been doing it longer than Incognito. As the only band that’s largely styled after 70’s jazz-inflected RnB that actually existed in the 70’s, any new music from them is going to merit its share of attention from followers of the genre. So this should get their attention…
Amplified Soul (May 13, Shanachie Entertainment) arrives as the group marks 35 years as an entity, and Shanachie is giving us an advance morsel of album #16 with the first single “Hats (Makes Me Wanna Holler).”
UK-based Incognito is, of course, the brainchild of its guitarist, producer and composer Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick, and for those in the States still not familiar with them, Maunick explains, “Incognito has never been a band that tries to dazzle with flashiness and technical prowess, we groove to make you move, we shift to uplift and we use captivating melodies to tell our stories.” If “Hats” is any indication, they are still holding fast to that mission and good for them.
From their fine stable of vocalists, Tony Momrelle got the call for this one. With his gospel-styled smooth high tenor paired to a classic Motown shuffle, forget about this song making you wanna holler, it will make you wanna cut a rug instead. Especially after seeing everyone on the video move their bods to the rhythm; even ol’ Bluey is busting a few suave moves.
Looks and sounds like this band is ready to go another 35 years, doesn’t it?
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