If you’ve been listening to our show since the beginning, you know what kind of love we have for Incognito. Bluey’s musical direction has accurately documented the style of a progressive generation. Incognito draws from rare funk and jazz music in the late 70s and early 80’s that some DJ’s were playing. Incognito grew to be more than just another British funk unit, though. Over the years, it looks like there’s been one rule to Incognito, and only one rule — musical excellence. They have outlasted fads and one hit wonders to become one of the most respected bands in the world. What other bands have a world class horn section AND classic remix albums?
This year we celebrate 30 years of one of the greatest and most versatile bands in the world — Incognito.
Incognito is a band, yes, but it’s really a project produced by one man — Jean-Paul ‘Bluey’ Maunick. Born in Mauritius in 1957, Bluey is the bands guitarist and bandleader. He is also one hell of a songwriter. He was a founding member of the band “Light Of The World” before starting Incognito in 1979. Incognito has released 13 studio albums and three remix albums. And that’s not to discuss the side projects Citrus Sun and Inner Shade.
What’s it like working within this historic project? We talked to some friends of ours who had done just that, and here’s what they had to say:
“Being in Incognito changed my life. Gave me focus, a vision for my career.
When I was a 12 year old in my parents’ basement trying to figure out how I was going to get from the basement floor listening to records to actually singing on stage for a living, I dreamed and visualized it all.
Bluey gave me that opportunity and my whole world expanded and my dream came true.
I am forever grateful to Incognito for helping me to define my voice,nurturing my musicianship and being an integral part of making me the singer-songwriter/producer I am today.”
-Maysa Leak
“Incognito is and was one of the best bands in the world. My experience working w/Bluey and Maysa and the Incog crew has been one of the best in my Career. The musicianship and musicality of the Players as well as the founder..Impeccable! Bluey is a genius, and Maysa’s voice is like audible Silk! I’m Blessed to have been a part of such a Great Musical Entity and I look forward to seeing them all again one day!” – KB
Gilles Peterson is one of the most famous radio personalities in the world. Definitely one of the most influential. Many classic records are sold every year because they were played on his show first. Gilles is the man who introduces many of us to our favorite music for the first time, with an on-air debut or an interview. But who was the first artist Gilles ever interviewed? Bluey, of course!
Check out this interview from his podcast below. It’s a conversation 28 years after that first one. Here’s Gilles Peterson and Bluey at Brownswood.
And of course, there’s love Mobile Soul style — some rare and/or out of print treats from the cog and associated projects! Have a listen, and when you’re done, dig deeper and get some Incognito albums. Join an international community of friends and lovers of musical excellence!
Incognito – some of our favorite tunes!
So What Do I Do? (a Citrus Sun track)
Out of the Storm/Dark Side of The Cog (from Live In Tokyo)
It Ain’t Easy
Smiling Faces
Blue
Everyday (voice and keyboard version from Bees + Things + Flowers)
Operator (an Inner Shade track!)
Between my finger and my thumb (Tony Remy & Bluey, from Incognito guitars)
Bring You Down (4Hero remix)
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