By Derick Anthony

When I say I am an Incognito fan I often get the blank eye. You know that look that makes you think “Oh My God! Did I just start speaking Martian?” but then when you say, you have heard them before, they did that song every jazz stating in America plays, Deep Waters, you get your audience back.

 

 
 
 
What most people don’t know is that while Deep Waters was the groups first commercial hit there was much music before and after that. The group just released its 13th studio album at the beginning of the summer and it hit number 1 album on ITUNES back in July.
 
 
 
Incognito (or the “Cog” to us fans) is the creation of Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick, a British guitarist, composer, producer and band leader. The group was formed back in 1979 and their first album “Jazz Funk” was released in 1981. Very early on this band was different from pretty much any other as Bluey figured early on the only way to keep the groups sound fresh was to have an ever changing line up of artist.
 
 
 
While the group itself may not ring a bell to you if you have spent anytime in a club listening to house music in the last 20 years you are probably familiar with some past and current members including Tony Momrelle, Jocelyn Brown, Carleen Anderson, Imaani, and Kelli Sae. Though by far the most famous and the one that is claimed to be the true voice of Incognito is Maysa Leak.
 
 
 
Some of their videos can be found on YouTube but there is nothing like seeing them in concert, the shows are never the same and they never disappoint. The latest album is called “Tales from the Beach” released by Heads Up music. Do yourself a service and check it out.