Amplified Soul

by Incognito

Overview

In 2013, Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick stepped out with his first solo album, Leap of Faith -- a stylistically varied set on which he performed the lead vocals -- but he quickly went to work on fresh material with the group he has led for over three decades. Leap of Faith evidently didn't drain his creativity, as Amplified Soul is another double-length Incognito album, 70 minutes in duration. Though it doesn't feature Maysa Leak or any collaborator on the level of Transatlantic R.P.M. contributors Chaka Khan, Leon Ware, and Al McKay, it certainly isn't short on powerful and uplifting lead vocal turns. Maunick works with some names familiar to Incognito fans and continues to keep it fresh with new voices. Most notably, there's the underexposed Deborah Bond on "I See the Sun," a gorgeously rolling number near the end that could just as easily follow the album's introduction. Melonie Crosdale leads "Rapture," another beaming, kicked-back groove that stands with the group's best work. They take it back a little farther than their typical mid-'70s to early-'80s well of inspiration for the strutting "Hats (Makes Me Wanna Holler)," one of their funkier straight-R&B songs. At this point, even the most casual listener knowledgeable about the group's inspirations won't be surprised that a piece titled "Wind Sorceress" resembles Mizells-era Donald Byrd. And yet, despite the obvious likeness, it's fully enjoyable, filled with little details that make it more than a mere tribute. As usual, Maunick either wrote or co-wrote all the original material, and there's a cover -- a festive version of Atlantic Starr's 1985 single "Silver Shadow," fronted by Vanessa Haynes. ~ Andy Kellman

Product Details

Release Date:	04/29/2014
Label:	Imports
UPC:	4995879243381
Rank:	216582

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Incognito   Primary Artist
Francesco Mendolia   Drums
Gerard Maunick   Guitar,Soloist
Nick Van Gelder   Drums
Joao Caetano   Percussion
Matt Cooper   Piano,Synthesizer,Fender Rhodes
Chiara Hunter   Vocals,Featured Artist,Vocals (Background)
Tony Momrelle   Vocals,Featured Artist,Vocals (Background)
Ski Oakenfull   Keyboards,Synthesizer
Andy Ross   Flute,Sax (Tenor)
Trevor Mires   Trombone
Deborah Bond   Featured Artist,Vocals (Background)
Carleen Anderson   Featured Artist
Jamie Anderson   Sax (Tenor)
Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick   Guitar,Vocals,Synthesizer,Featured Artist,Vocals (Background)
Robert Quintero   Congas
Francis Hylton   Bass
Richard Bull   Bass,Drums,Piano,Guitar,Keyboards,Percussion
Nigel Hitchcock   Sax (Alto)
Sid Gould   Trumpet,Flugelhorn
Imaani   Featured Artist,Vocals (Background)
Vula Malinga   Vocals (Background)
Vanessa Haynes   Vocals,Featured Artist,Vocals (Background)
Katie Leone   Vocals,Featured Artist,Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Francesco Mendolia   Composer
Joao Caetano   Composer
Takami Maunick   Executive Assistant
Matt Cooper   Composer,Producer,String Arrangements
Nigel Conway   Management
Chiara Hunter   Composer
Greg Woodcock   Tour Manager
Lisa A.   Cover Model
Melonie Crosdale   Composer
Ski Oakenfull   Composer,Producer
Trevor Mires   Horn Arrangements
Deborah Bond   Composer,Producer
Carleen Anderson   Composer
Jamie Anderson   Horn Arrangements
Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick   Composer,Producer,Horn Arrangements,String Arrangements
Wayne I. Lewis   Composer
Francis Hylton   Composer
Richard Bull   Composer,Producer
David E. Lewis   Composer
Mo Hausler   Mixing,Engineer,Mastering,Assistant Producer
Sid Gould   Horn Arrangements
Nicholas Laget   Vocal Engineer
Incognito   Composer
Mitchy Bway   Design,Photography
Marcel Albert   Band Photo