London jazz-funk institution Incognito
return with Music Magic Ironic, the 20th studio album in a career that
began with Jazz Funk in 1981 and later drank the waters of eternal life
with Talkin' Loud, released during the 90s acid-jazz tsunami. It
dialyses veteran and new blood, echoing the historic heartbeat of
bandleader Bluey Maunick's childhood memories of street musicians in
Mauritius, where on-the-fly percussion blurred "music" and "magic". That
formative mix still powers Incognito's ensemble ethos, brought into
sharp focus here with 17 tracks voiced by long-time collaborators Joy
Rose, Tony Momrelle and Maysa Leak, plus Zebulon Ellis and Natalie
Duncan. The family-sized lineups remains unestranged, a trait going back
to the group's early days when Richard Bull's drum programming and
Maysa's arrival shaped their Talkin' Loud breakout.
Incognito is
getting ready to celebrate yet another career milestone. The iconic
British group created by the maestro Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick is
scheduled to release their 20th studio album Music. Magic. Ironic. this
month. The historic set will drop on Thursday, December 25th, so make
some room for it under your Christmas tree and in your music
collections.
Music. Magic. Ironic.’s arrival on Christmas Day is
the perfect release date for this collection because it’s shaping up to
be quite a gift. The project is a double album showcasing 17 tracks,
including a groovy cover of Roy Ayers’ hit “Running Away” featuring lead
vocals by Tony Momrelle and Joy Rose and the return of Incognito
mainstay Maysa on the song “Lost Until I Want To Be Found.”
Aside
from those esteemed collaborators, the collective known for its soulful
roster of vocalists has a few more in the mix. There’s Zebulon Ellis
who can be heard on the lead single “Strangers Become Friends” and the
cut “Changes In Me,” Natalie Duncan, Cleo Stewart, Imaani, Megan Khan
and Chicco Allotta.
Incognito wants their fans to get their
groove on this holiday season and well into the new year and beyond with
the release of Music. Magic. Ironic., but there’s more to this album
than catching a vibe and working up a sweat on the dance floor.
“Music
is the message, the power and the key. Hope that you enjoy this 20th
chapter of the Incognito story,” Bluey said in a teaser video recorded
alongside the album’s co-producer and mixer Mo Hausler. Bluey also
touched on what inspired the title, sharing, “You see, I was five years
old when I mistakenly called ‘music’ ‘magic.’ Feeling trapped in a
broken world 63 years later, this album has magically set my soul free.”
With
46 years and now 20 albums in, Incognito is still going strong and
sounding better than ever. Music. Magic. Ironic. will be released
worldwide on Splash Blue and available on all streaming platforms and on
vinyl and CD, which can be pre-ordered from Bandcamp. Preview the album
with the singles “Strangers Become Friends,” “It’s About Time” and
“Running Away,” view Bluey and Mo chatting it up in the studio and check
the full tracklist below.
Tracklist:
1. It's About Time (feat. Joy Rose)
2. Running Away (feat. Tony Momrelle)
3. Can't Be A Fool (feat. Natalie Duncan)
4. Lost Until I Want To Be Found (feat. Maysa)
5. Reasons To Love (feat. Cleo Reign Stewart)
6. Can't Give Up On This Feeling (feat. Joy Rose, Imaani & Cleo Reign Stewart)
7. In Time We’ll Love Again
8. This Is Your World (feat. Cleo Reign Stewart)
9. Changes In Me (feat. Zebulon Ellis)
10. Like Fire In The Rain (feat. Natalie Duncan)
11. (Your Lovin' Is) Everywhere (feat. Tony Momrelle)
12. Zahra Smiles
13. Strangers Become Friends (feat. Zebulon Ellis)
14. Sweet Enough (feat. Tony Momrelle & Megan Khan)
15. Rain On A Hot Tin Roof
16. Late Night On The Subway (feat. Tony Momrelle)
17. Music. Magic. Ironic. (feat. Chicco Allotta)
