Spindle Radar: Legendary Music Collective Incognito Return With Their 19th Studio Album, Into You

With over 40 years of history under their belt, it is undeniable the impact the jazz, funk and soul collective Incognito have had on the music scene. Driving force of Incognito, Jean-Paul ‘Bluey’ Maunick founded Incognito with the vision of having a line-up that is ever changing, putting some of the most exciting new talent at the forefront and giving them the platform to boost their careers. In the band’s history, over 1500 talented individuals have played in Incognito, kick-starting many successful careers.

Their 19th studio album Into You is out now, a special release for the collective as their first double album and the first on Bluey’s label, Splash Blue. We caught up with Bluey to chat about the album, Incognito’s rich history, his advice for young musicians starting out in their careers and much more.

Thanks so much for speaking with us today, Bluey! How are you today?

Bluey: It’s my pleasure, thank you for reaching out to me. Today is a good day, and though I am struggling a little with health issues, I feel lucky to have life when so many are loosing theirs. I am sitting in my front room writing to you whilst my wife is making coffee and a dear friend from visiting us from Indonesia is playing beautiful music on the piano. 

Huge congratulations on the release of Into You, your 19th studio album! This is a special release for you, your first double album and the first released on your own label, Splash Blue. How does it feel to have the album out in the world, and what has the reception been like so far? 

Bluey: I could not have wished for a better reaction for this album. So much positivity to the new songs, the singers , the musicians, the production, and joyous reactions live from our audiences when we play this new material.

How did you find the process of starting up your own label, and what made you decide to launch Splash Blue? 

Bluey: Splash Blue’s existence is due to the love and support of my label mates David Ranalli and Julian Fontenell. Their enthusiasm for the music is unsurpassed and the trust I have in them and my team puts me in a good place at this stage of my career and life.

After over 40 years of Incognito, you have achieved a huge amount. Is there anything left you’re itching to tick off your bucket list? 

Bluey: This balance of super talented musicians and singers that are interested in my wellbeing and their gratitude of having Incognito as part of their life’s journey has in it’s self been a huge stepping stone in my musical story. My one and only wish is the ability to keep on bringing people together and bringing uplifting vibes to those who gravitate to our sound. On a totally selfish level, I’d love Incognito to collaborate with Anderson Paak, Robert Glasper, Gregory Porter, Lalo Schifrin and Samara Joy if the universe allows. 

What’s been the absolute highlight of your career so far? 

Bluey: It’s threefold! When George Benson and Stevie Wonder joined us live on separate occasions and when Incognito backed Chaka Khan live at Ronnie Scott’s.

If you could organise your own festival and have anyone on the line-up, who would be your top five choices? 

Bluey: First of all I’d have all three of my bands Incognito, Citrus Sun and STR4TA playing in between our special guests Thundercat, Anderson Paak, Robert Glasper, Gregory Porter, Lalo Schifrin, Yakul, DOMi & JD BECK and Samara Joy.

With 19 albums under your belt, picking a set list for a show must be difficult! How do you do it, and how do you find performing live when your line-up is ever changing? 

Bluey: It’s always a challenge. Promoting the new album will take between a third to half a concert depending on the stage time that we are allowed. The rest of the show will feature songs from the previous 18 albums, which is difficult but not a bad problem to have.

The ever-changing line-up however can cause me some sleepless nights!

Let’s go back to the beginning – what made you decide to start a collective such as Incognito? 

Bluey: The desire to belong to an expanding family as opposed to being in a gang. Gangs and groups can become competitive, whereas a collective more willing to include outside collaborations. Incognito was formed to perform with a full band and not taking shortcuts or smaller variations because of financial restrictions. We don’t operate with the getting away with it mind set, It’s the whole kit and caboodle or nothing at all! My inspiration came from Kool & The Gang, Tower Of Power, Earth Wind & Fire these line ups set the example, we followed!

What advice would you give to a young artist who’s just starting out in music? 

Bluey: In following your dreams, be prepared to put in the work and make the sacrifices necessary. Allow your influences to be a part of your music, but don’t become a carbon copy. Your chordal, melodic, rhythmic and lyrical sonic fingerprint is what sets you apart from the rest and engages the listener and becomes the building blocks to a wider fanbase. 

What do you do when you’re feeling uninspired, creatively? Any routines or rituals you do to help get the juices flowing? 

Bluey: Life is the fuel to creativity, if you are not creating, you’re not living!

What can we expect from Incognito in the rest of 2023, and into next year? 

Bluey: As many gigs as we can fit in and celebrating life and the power of love as hard as we can. Living the music and the reading that has inspired us in order to uplift and inspire where and whenever we can.

Marvin Gaye: “You see, war is not the answer for only love can conquer hate. You know we’ve got to find a way to bring some lovin’ here today”.

Martin Luther: “Every man must do two things alone; he must do his own believing and his own dying”.

Bob Marley: “One Love! One Heart! Let’s get together and feel alright”!

George Clinton & Funkadelic: One nation under a groove gettin’ down just for the funk of it. One nation and we’re on the move, nothin’ can stop us now”.

Bluey: “I get up to Aretha, get down to James Brown, looking up to Quincy inspired by Marvin Gaye. I’m a night owl baby but everything’s alright, and I wouldn’t have it any other way”!

Make sure to listen to Icognito’s full album Into You here or below.