Incognito
Incognito is a British acid jazz and funk band formed in London in 1979 by guitarist Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick and drummer Paul "Tubbs" Williams as an offshoot of their prior group, Light of the World. The band blends jazz-funk, soul, and acid jazz, pioneering the genre with fluid lineups featuring top UK session musicians and vocalists.
Incognito emerged from the late-1970s UK jazz-funk scene, where Maunick and Williams shifted personnel from Light of the World, a disco-funk act with hits like a Bob Marley cover. Their debut album, Jazz Funk, arrived in 1981 as an instrumental showcase but saw the band go quiet through the 1980s while Maunick produced for artists like George Benson.
Revived in 1991 on Gilles Peterson's Talkin' Loud label, Incognito hit stride with Inside Life, followed by Tribes, Vibes and Scribes (1992) introducing vocalist Maysa Leak. Albums like Positivity (1993) and 100 and Rising (1995) brought global success, collaborations with Chaka Khan and Stevie Wonder, and club anthems.
Maunick remains the constant leader as composer, guitarist, and producer. Rotating vocalists include Maysa Leak, Jocelyn Brown, Linda Muriel, and Vanessa Haynes; instrumentalists feature horn sections and players like Randy Hope-Taylor on bass.
Active for over four decades, Incognito has released 15+ albums, influencing acid jazz worldwide with soulful grooves and large-ensemble flexibility. Recent lineups maintain their jazz-funk core across labels like Dome and earMusic.
Life, Stranger Than Fiction
2 Bring You Down 4:49
3 Slow Down (Get A Grip) 4:40
4 Skin On My Skin 5:18
5 Cut It Loose 4:33
6 There Will Come A Day 5:36
7 Castles In The Air 5:46
8 Got To Know 4:52
9 Reach Out 6:16
10 Rivers Runnin' Black 6:46
11 On The Road (Part One) 4:24
12 On The Road (Part Two) 4:16
Label: Talkin' Loud – 586 056-2
Format: CD, Album
Country: UK
Released: 2001
Genre: Jazz, Funk
Style: Jazz-Funk, Soul
Life, Stranger Than Fiction is Incognito's eighth studio album, a jazz-funk and R&B fusion project that showcases the band's signature sound with a new set of vocalists. The album, led by Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick, is known for its high production quality, rich live instrumentation (including horns and drums), and a mix of soulful tracks and instrumentals.
The album is a fine example of the Incognito acid-jazz-funk sound, with a slightly greater slant towards R&B compared to some of their previous efforts. The overall feel is described as warm, rounded, and delicately crafted, with every instrument given its own space within busy arrangements.
The production by Bluey Maunick is consistently praised as superb across all 14 tracks, providing a master class in contemporary music orchestration.
The album features a new batch of vocalists, including Kelli Sae and Dianne Joseph, with a push towards more male vocals. This change carries on the Incognito tradition, despite the absence of frequent collaborator Maysa.
The title and tracks reflect aspects of Bluey Maunick's life and experiences.
Notable Tracks:
"Stay Mine": A highlight and strong opener with the instantly recognizable Incognito style.
"Worlds Collide" & "Castles In The Air": Described by some reviewers as masterpieces of soul and jazz fusing with orchestration and stunning vocal arrangements.
"Rivers Runnin' Black": A mainly instrumental track that serves as a benchmark for the band's instrumental prowess on all their albums.
"Down to Earth": The closing title track, noted for its gentle intro that builds into a driving bass and funk rhythm, featuring the vocal power of Sarah Brown and Roy Ayers' vibes.
Reviews of Life, Stranger Than Fiction are generally positive among fans, who appreciate its consistency and quality. While some find certain tracks less impactful or the R&B slant a departure, most agree it is a solid addition to the Incognito collection. It is celebrated for its musicality, rich sound, and ability to keep the "struggling flame of acid-jazz fanned".