The enduring success of Incognito is one of the great stories of UK music during the last 20 years. Look at the recent history of soulful UK artists and you will find any number of short-lived acts that have achieved pop success. Narrow the list to those that have created a uniquely British sound and that have endured as a global phenomenon on their own terms and the list becomes short. Dues, then, to Jean-Paul 'Bluey' Maunick and Incognito, formed in 1980 and celebrating 33 years of positive vibes and undiluted jazz funk.
Bluey's first band was "New Life" with David Grant, his cousin later managed Light Of The World (LOTW), Bluey worked in his record shop in Tottenham and they rehearsed upstairs. Some of the future Light Of The World musicians band would pop in to jam. He switched from bass to guitar when Paul 'Tubs' Williams came in, he was only 14 and blew everyones minds. Spawning a new band, the name Tower Block was changed to the more uplifting Light Of The World and, in 1978, Chris Hill's Ensign imprint promptly signed them. The self-titled LOTW debut was a landmark for UK jazz funk featuring extended high energy club hits Swingin and Midnight Groovin, as well as a young Sade pictured on the cover.
In early 1980 he started Incognito with Tubs. The first saxman was Ghanaian music star George Lee and the drummer was Jeff Dunn (later with Van Morrison). They invited in keyboardist Peter Hinds and percussionist Gee Bello. Recording again for Ensign, the first Incognito offering was a demo instrumental, Parisienne Girl. On Radio 1, before the news, they played filler music and used Parisienne Girl. You'd hear it three or four times a day. Ensign then wanted an album which was all recorded in a few days. The debut Incognito set, 'Jazz Funk' was an instrumental tour de force, with guests numbering Hugh Masekela hornsmen Peter Segona and Claude Deppa and legendary Jamaican trombonist, Vin Gordon.
After a brief foray into pop with North London Boy, many of the core Incognito band went separate ways. Paul Williams joined The Team with Gee Bello while Bluey continued writing and producing. Bluey discovered 14-year old vocalist Steven Dennis (later re-named Steven Dante), in Hackney. He met and worked with Steve Harvey (producer of Marcus Miller), Maxi Priest, George Duke, Caroll Thompson and others.
"In the late 80's, Gilles was about to sign Young Disciples and was looking at where to go next. Bluey had known him from his Radio Invicta days and he came to see the band at the Southport Weekender playing "Always There". Gilles made the connection with Jocelyn Brown for the record. The David Morales remix paved the way for how I'd make music in the future. His version was so simple and at that point, I embraced all DJ's! With the single and Inside Life album in 1991, Incognito were back.
Besides taking clubland, and the charts, by storm, Incognito unwittingly became smooth jazz heroes in the U.S. With their second Talkin Loud set, 'Tribes, Vibes & Scribes', Maysa Leaks vocals graced an update of Stevies Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing and an album track blew up on U.S. Quiet Storm radio. Bluey remembers, "We had a hit with an instrumental called L'arc En Ciel De Miles. It was a simple tribute track but that and Deep Waters from our Positivity album were huge." The key was Richard Ball's drum programming. That rhythm is now a staple on smooth jazz records. The success led to the bands Citrus Sun offshoot project in 2001.
The albums that followed Tribes cemented Incognito's stature as a global phenomenon. 1993's 'Positivity' was among their best, crammed full of slick productions and universal hits like Still A Friend Of Mine and Givin' It Up. Positivity sold almost a million worldwide.
On-stage too, Incognito have retained a massive fanbase from their unmissable live shows. For Bluey, it is a chance to get close to his audience. It's not about playing the tune just to get applause. It's about communicating, making sure people get it. Its knowing that everyone shares a strong feeling of wanting to be together and experiences a little utopia, something thats not there in our daily lives. If I had to pick out some gigs, Id say Sofia in Bulgaria, feeling the power of a crowd that are hungry for music. Montreux in 2005 too. We followed Craig David and the hall was packed. It showed me how far we have come.
Post-Talkin Loud, the Incognito release schedule has been as busy as ever with a string of quality releases on UK label Dome and Blueys own label set-up, Rice. The most recent album projects have, by critical acclaim, been some of Incognitos strongest. With 'Adventures In Black Sunshine', it was our 25th Anniversary and I used Incognito tunes as the blueprint. It was about what influence I could have on myself and how the band could deliver that. Other recent projects have included the Hope Collective single Give & Let Live on Expansion, in aid of the Asian Tsunami victims and the people of Darfur in the Sudan, featuring an all-star cast including Chaka Khan, Steve Winwood and Omar.
33 years on, the Bluey and Incognito story remains a one-off and a uniquely Great British adventure. From Top Ten hits to producing and arranging for Chaka Khan, Philip Bailey and George Benson, Bluey Maunick can take his place among the greats of global soul. It's a wonderful time for music. We are teachers, healers. I certainly see myself as much more of a healer than an entertainer.
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