Incognito (band)

Incognito
200px Incognito in Bangkok in 2005
Background information
Origin	United Kingdom
Genres	Jazz-funk, acid jazz, soul, pop
Years active	1979–present
Labels	P-Vine, Dôme, Edel, Shanachie, Heads Up Int', Handcuts, Pony Canyon, Narada, Universal, Verve, Talkin' Loud, Mercury, Ensign
Associated acts	Light of the World, Count Basic, Fantastic Plastic Machine
Website	http://www.incognito.org.uk/
Members	Jean-Paul 'Bluey' Maunick Matt Cooper: keyboards, musical director Vanessa Haynes: vocals Mo Brandis: vocals Natalie Williams: vocals Francis Hylton: bass Francesco Mendolia: drums João Caetano: Percussion Sid Gauld: trumpet Jamie Anderson: sax/flute Trevor Mires: trombone Maysa Leak: vocals Tony Momrelle: vocals Imaani: vocals
Past members	Chris Botti Jocelyn Brown Joy Rose: vocals Pete Ray Biggin Nick Doobay<Carleen Anderson Pamela Anderson Graham Harvey: keyboards Dominic 'Ski' Oakenfull: production/keyboards Julian Crampton: bass Richard Bailey: drums Christopher Ballin Marc Anthoni Xavier Barnett Bud Beadle Kelli Sae Karen Bernod Max Beesley Richard Bull: production/guitar Simon Cotsworth: production/programming Sarah Brown Ray Carless Patrick Clahar Matt Coleman Chris DeMargary Thomas Dyani-Akuru Gail Evans Adrian Fry Andy Gangadeen Gavin Harrison Peter Hinds Randy Hope-Taylor Ed Jones Joy Malcolm Linda Muriel Quinton Caruthers Kevin Robinson Winston Rollins Gary Sanctuary Snowboy Karl Vandenbossche Fayyaz Virji Tyrone Henry Tony Remy Andy Ross Nichol Thomson Paul Weller

Incognito is a British acid jazz band. Their debut album, Jazz Funk, was released in 1981, with 15 more albums following, the latest of which, Amplified Soul, was released in June 2014.

The band's frontman, composer, record producer, guitarist and singer is Jean-Paul 'Bluey' Maunick. Other notable band members include or have included the singers Linda Muriel, Jocelyn Brown, Maysa Leak, Tony Momrelle, Imaani, Vanessa Haynes, Mo Brandis, Natalie Williams, Carleen Anderson, Pamela (PY) Anderson Kelli Sae (of Count Basic) and Joy Malcom.

History

Incognito was founded by Paul "Tubbs" Williams & Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick in 1979 as an off-shoot from Light of the World. LotW was a substantially sized group and as such, certain members wanted to go in different directions. The more commercially minded members formed Beggar & Co, whilst those wanting to develop a more jazz/funk-oriented sound formed Incognito. However, there has been a re-connection over the years in LotW with various former members, alongside their other commitments.

Incognito has had intermittent success in the UK Singles Chart, with their breakthrough 1991 hit a cover version of the Ronnie Laws tune "Always There", featuring Jocelyn Brown, which made No. 6 in the UK. The group's 1992 single, "Don't you worry 'bout a thing" saw similar success, reaching No. 19 in the UK. They have also been a favourite of various re-mixers, including Masters at Work, David Morales, Roger Sanchez and Jazzanova, and have released several albums consisting almost entirely of remixes.

In 1994, Incognito appeared on the Red Hot Organization's compilation album, Stolen Moments: Red Hot + Cool. The album, meant to raise awareness and funds in support of the AIDS epidemic in relation to the African American community, was heralded as "Album of the Year" by Time magazine. In 1996, the band contributed "Water to Drink" to the AIDS-benefit album Red Hot + Rio, also produced by the Red Hot Organization.

Their song "Need to Know" is the theme song for progressive radio and television news program Democracy Now!. "("Pyramids" is the correct song)

Discography

Main article: Incognito discography

External links

• Official website
• Incognito interview by Pete Lewis, Blues & Soul – July 2010
• Incognito interview by Chris Mann, Smooth & Soul – September 2008
• Incognito Live in Europe
• Bluey interview by Michael 'The Dood' Edwards, UK Vibe – July 2010
• Interview with Jean-Paul 'Bluey' Maunick of Incognito by Zane Tate, Leisure Lab – May 2012