Incognito

Incognito are into their 38th year as a band with a body of work that includes 17 albums, amazing for a band that started up in 1979 playing jazz-funk with a twist, developing with the likes of Brand New Heavies and Galliano a growing movement in Britain that became acid jazz or club jazz.

There are 2 constants in Incognito; the presence of Bluey Maunick, guitarist, composer and band leader in every sense and that their live shows are fun where everybody has a good time and dances.

Incognito are playing 5 sold out nights at the Blue Note club in Milan and this fact alone demonstrates how persistence in cultivating an audience thanks to top musicianship and passion means that even though mainstream success has generally evaded them, apart from sporadic hit singles over the years, there is always going to be a crowd who wants to listen to this music and groove.

Needless to say, by seeing them on their last night in Milan, the sound was spot on and they felt very comfortable on stage. There are two shows played nightly as is the Blue Note way but you could not imagine that given that the 11 piece band gave it their all in the first show that we saw. Too many band members to note but the three vocalists Imaani, Vanessa Haynes and Katie Leone along with Francis Hylton on bass and Andy Ross on flute/sax deserve a special mention for their wonderful performances.
A good funky set tonight including ‘N.O.T’, ‘Always There’, Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing’, ‘I Hear Your Name’ and ‘Everyday’.

Bluey made a sincere, heartfelt plea to the Milanese crowd to smile, to embrace life and be good to one another and I highfive him especially as he thanked Italians in general for taking in and looking after the unfortunate refugees who have arrived to these shores.

Incognito are a great band with good songs whose past and present success is testament to their undoubted excellent live shows and these Blue Note gigs were just that.