Since the glory days of Earth, Wind & Fire, many groups have tried to extend upon Maurice White's classic synthesis of ethnic rhythms, salsa, soul, jazz and funk. Now, along comes
Incognito, with their own suave brand of contemporary jazz/R&B. Rising from the ashes of the early 1980s British funk-jazz scene (which produced chart-toppers such as Level 42, Shakatak and Sade),
Incognito is a hard grooving 12-piece ensemble featuring soaring horns, a dynamic vocal trio and a pulsing rhythm section. Taking off on the success of their two previous Verve/Forecast releases (INSIDE LIFE and TRIBES, VIBES AND SCRIBES),
Incognito really gelled as a live band during their triumphant 1992 American tour, when their opening act often upstaged headliners Lee Ritenour and The Yellowjackets. Guitarist Jean Paul "Bluesy" Maunick is the creative force behind
Incognito, and it was his strength of vision which kept the idea of British funk-jazz alive after the scene more or less collapsed in the mid-1980s. Maunick's writing/arranging skills were showcased on a pair of tunes he conceived for Maxi Priest's 1989 hit album, BONAFIDE, enabling him to re-tool
Incognito in its present form. "Bluesy" Maunick's arranging skills are heard to particular advantage on the acid jazz groove "Deep Waters," where he sets up a lean, infectious pulse for his tale of sensual surrender, as the vocalists and rhythm players trade figures back and forth in wave after wave of warm harmonies. The resulting music is smooth, sumptuous funk. Lead vocalist Maysa Leak's horn-like fluency and effortless sense of swing contribute mightily to the group sound, which is part of
Incognito's appeal: while Leak, Mark Anthoni and Sarah Brown set the melodic direction for each song, the overall effect (as on the James Brown-inspired anthem "Talkin' Loud") is of free-spirited interplay and melodic give and take--their vocal harmonies are often used as a compliment to the horn and rhythm sections.
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