INCOGNITO

Having only recently released the masterpiece collaboration with George Duke in 2004, Incognito have already completed a new album. It is neither a remix album nor a live album, but their 11th original release. With core fans clamouring that it looks to the tremendous successes of the 1990s, Bluey once again throws in one of his trademark sharp catch-phrases, saying "Packed with that authentic Incognito sound, this is our best work, our definitive recording!" When accompanied by album guest feature acid jazz songstress Carleen Anderson, it is plain to see the confidence they gain from the collaboration, and the enthusiasm they pour into live shows. In addition to Incognito's regular feature vocalist Maysa Leak, top UK guitarist Tony Remy is also on board. Apparently Incognito will not shy away from getting the whole family together, if it is for the launch of such a definitive work of soul and funk..

The group has its roots in the band "Light of the World," formed in the late '70s by British-French multi-instrumentalist Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick. With Maunick at its core, the band took the name "Incognito" in the early '80s, and released their first album "Jazz Funk" (Toshiba EMI). It pushed its way up to number 28 on a British chart not yet to be rocked by the jazz funk wave. Incognito launched full-fledged activities in 1991 when they signed to acid jazz label "Talkin' Loud." With the support of DJ Gilles Peterson, the godfather of acid jazz, they made a fresh start with "Inside Life." Riding the jazz funk boom, Incognito released their third album "Tribes, Vibes and Scribes," and their fourth, "Still a Friend of Mine." On these recordings, they welcomed talented singer Maysa Leak, creating an original and appealing musical concept. In May 1993, while performing in clubs, Incognito made their New York debut, which cemented their reputation. The group cultivated their originality with songs overflowing with soul feeling, with their large ensemble with horn section, and with the flexibility of a band centring on popular London-based session musicians. After that, while having world hits under the "Incognito" name with "Positivity" and "100 and Rising + 1", the members carried their success worldwide, with lead vocalist Maysa Leak's solo debut in 1995, and bassist Randy Hope-Taylor's stints supporting Jeff Beck. Hailed for his producing ability, Maunick was hired to boost the popularity of such veteran artists as George Benson and Donald Byrd, and raising starts such as Maxi Priest and Clementine.1996 saw the release of "Remixed," a collection of remixed classics aimed at the dance floor. Also in 1996, Incognito released the Japan-limited album "Tokyo Live," which captured the essence of their Japan tour of that year. For 1999's "No Time Like the Future" (all the above albums are on Universal Music) Maunick gathered artists from the era of Randy Hope-Taylor and Maysa Leak, and summed up the music of the '90s. With that, Incognito left Talkin' Loud, with "Life Stranger Than Fiction" their final release on that label. Signing to Pony Canyon in Japan, the group released "Who Needs Love." Using this as a springboard, they powered on to welcome 25 years as a group in 2004, and completed "Adventures in Black Sunshine" (Pony Canyon), featuring George Duke. Like the standard-bearer of UK soul and funk, their low-slung sound captivates fans. "Eleven," Incognito's latest album released by Pony Canyon, features singer Carleen Anderson. It has been nine months since their December 2005 performance at Tokyo Blue Note and three years since their last festival appearance, in summer 2003.

Incognito's official website is http://incognito.org.uk/.
Rice Records, run by Bluey, is at http://www.ricerecords.com/.