Incognito’s
lyrics typically describe both heartache and optimism, and their latest album has both types in abundance. “I Remember a Time” laments a past romance, while “N.O.T.” chronicles the end of a relationship. These expressions of sadness are balanced by uplifting numbers such as “Love, Joy, Understanding” and “Freedom to Love,” with lines such as “You can do it if you wanna, make it happen if you try.” “Happy People” reads like an Oprah episode, with lyrics about controlling one’s life: “In your hands you hold your destiny/Take your troubles make them disappear.”
As usual, Maunick has recruited top musicians and singers to participate in the latest Incognito incarnation. Intermittent Incognito member Joy Rose as well as Maysa Leak, Imani, and Tony Momrelle provide funky vocals that nicely complement the driving beats and bass lines. Having recorded the album in England, Italy, Germany, and Indonesia, Incognito continues its tradition of incorporating world beats into its sound.
The album’s title track sounds like a slice of Afro-pop, while “Happy People” holds a hint of Latin rhythm. They do not neglect their R&B roots, however. Maunick has long admired R&B acts such as Earth, Wind, and Fire, Kool and the Gang, Tower of Power, and the Average White Band; echoes of their music lace songs like “When the Sun Comes Down” and the horn section of “Feel the Pressure.”
Overall, Tales from the Beach fits quite well within the Incognito catalog. Longtime fans will enjoy their familiar sound, while new listeners will enjoy their cool, laid-back beats. The band has never departed from their signature sound, and in this case, this familiarity is quite welcome.
For more information about the band, visit Incognito’s website.
Article comments
1 - Pico
Tales From The Beach has been a guilty pleasure of mine lately, reminds me a lot of EW&F at their peak, as well as ToP and Stevie Wonder. Some nice chord change-ups (like on "I Was Waiting") and punchy horn arrangments.
FWIW, Jamiroquai, like Incognito, is a British practitioner of acid jazz, not American.
2 - Kit O'Toole
Oh yes, Jamiroquai is a great practitioner of British acid jazz (sorry if my review seemed to say the contrary). I hope to write about them in one of my future columns, as I recently discovered that they are terrific in concert.