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.
Eleven
Vocals – Gail Evans, Imaani, Tony Momrelle
Written-By – Francis Hylton, Jean-Paul Maunick, Matt Cooper, Nichol Thomson, Tony Remy
2 We Got Music
Backing Vocals – Gail Evans
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Imaani, Tony Momrelle
Written-By – Francis Hylton, Jean-Paul Maunick, Tony Remy
3 Come Away With Me
Backing Vocals – Gail Evans, Imaani, Tony Momrelle, Tyrone Henry
Lead Vocals – Maysa
Written-By – Jean-Paul Maunick, Matt Cooper
4 Baby It's All Right
Backing Vocals – Gail Evans, Tony Momrelle, Tyrone Henry
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Imaani
Written-By – Jean-Paul Maunick, Tony Remy
5 When Tomorrow Brings You Down
Backing Vocals – Gail Evans, Imaani, Tony Momrelle
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Maysa
Written-By – Jean-Paul Maunick, Matt Cooper
6 Jacaranda
Written-By – Dominic Glover, Dominic Oakenfull, Jean-Paul Maunick
7 Show Me Love
Lead Vocals – Carleen Anderson
Written-By – Dominic Oakenfull, Jean-Paul Maunick
8 Will I Ever Learn
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Maysa
Written-By – Jean-Paul Maunick, Matt Cooper
9 I'll Get By
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Tony Momrelle
Written-By – Dominic Oakenfull, Jean-Paul Maunick
10 It's Just One Of Those Things
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Maysa, Tony Momrelle
Written-By – Dominic Oakenfull, Jean-Paul Maunick
11 As Long As It's You
Lead Vocals – Imaani
Written-By – Graham Harvey, Jean-Paul Maunick
Label: Edel Records – 0166212ERE
Format: CD, Album
Country: Europe
Released: 2005
Genre: R&B Electronic, Jazz, Funk, Soul
Style: Soul-Jazz, Acid Jazz, Jazz-Funk
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".
Positivity
Written-By – J.P. Maunick, P. Hinds, R. Bull
4:13
2 Still A Friend Of Mine
Programmed By [Programming] – Tyrrell
Written-By – J.P. Maunick, R. Bull
5:37
3 Smiling Faces
Mixed By – Tyrrell
Written-By – G. Harvey, J.P. Maunick, R. Hayden
5:09
4 Where Do We Go From Here
Programmed By [Programming] – Tyrrell
Written-By – J.P. Maunick, R. Hayden
5:21
5 Positivity
Mixed By – Tyrrell
Written-By – J.P. Maunick, R. Hope-Taylor, R. Bull
3:51
6 Inversions
Mixed By – R. Aslan
Written-By – J.P. Maunick, M. Beesley
5:55
7 Givin' It Up
Written-By – J.P. Maunick, R. Bull
5:08
8 Talkin' Loud
Written-By – G. Harvey, J.P. Maunick, R. Bull
3:27
9 Deep Waters
Written-By – J.P. Maunick, R. Bull
6:37
10 Do Right
Mixed By, Backing Vocals [Supporting Vocals] – Ray Hayden
Written-By – G. Harvey, J.P. Maunick, R. Hayden
5:29
11 Pieces Of A Dream
Written-By – J.P. Maunick, R. Bull
4:19
12 Thinking 'Bout Tomorrow
Written-By – F. Virgi, J.P. Maunick, R. Bull
5:53
13 Keep The Fires Burning
Mixed By, Backing Vocals [Supporting Vocals] – Ray Hayden
Written-By – J.P. Maunick, R. Hayden
5:20
Label: Talkin' Loud – 314 522 036-2
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 1993
Genre: R&B Jazz, Funk, Soul
Style: Acid Jazz, Jazzdance, Jazz-Funk
The Best Of Incognito
Producer – Jean-Paul Maunick, Richard Bull
Vocals – Mark Anthoni, Maysa
5:37
2 Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing
Producer – Jean-Paul Maunick, Richard Bull
Vocals – Maysa
5:20
3 Everyday
Producer – Jean-Paul Maunick, Richard Bull
Vocals – Pamela Anderson
4:51
4 Deep Waters
Producer – Jean-Paul Maunick, Richard Bull
Vocals – Maysa
4:37
5 Spellbound And Speechless (Edit)
Producer – Jean-Paul Maunick
Vocals – Joy Malcom
4:05
6 Colibri
Producer – Jean-Paul Maunick, Richard Bull
Vocals – Maysa
5:59
7 Roots
Producer – Jean-Paul Maunick
Vocals – Pamela Anderson
5:41
8 A Shade Of Blue (Edit)
Producer – Jean-Paul Maunick
Vocals – Maysa
4:02
9 Change (Bluey Remix)
Featuring – Stevie Wonder
Remix – Jean-Paul Maunick
Vocals – Maysa
4:58
10 Nights Over Egypt (Edit)
Producer – Jean-Paul Maunick, Simon Cotsworth
Vocals – Jocelyn Brown, Maysa
4:03
11 Always There (David Morales Remix)
Remix – David Morales
Vocals – Jocelyn Brown
3:36
12 Yesterday's Dreams
Producer – Jean-Paul Maunick, Simon Cotsworth
Vocals – Karen Bernod
5:58
13 Talkin' Loud (Live)
Producer – Jean-Paul Maunick
Vocals – Maysa
3:53
Label: Talkin' Loud – 548 283-2
Format: CD, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 2000
Genre: R&B Jazz, Funk
Style: Acid Jazz