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Music : Beneath the Surface
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Rating: 
- Nearly Perfect LP
I said 'nearly' because the gruff, overemotional, almost barking voice of vocalist Chris Ballin doesn't really fit into the lush, beautiful grooves "Bluey" and Co. produce hear. While this is certainly some of the finest British Soul ever produced, the right singers and talents must be present to convincingly carry it off. The return of the incredible (and lovely) Maysa Leak is a welcome addition and her reading of the LP's highlight, "A Shade Of Blue" is worth the price of admission. Another fine collection from a brilliant and underrated band.
Rating: - Mastery of Soul
I have liked Incognito since WCLK 91.9 in Atlanta started playing "Deep Waters" in '94, but this is now my favorite release from them, better than Positivity or Life: Stranger than Fiction. The album starts off strong with the instrumental "Solar Fire", establishing their full-band, horn-rich brand of acid jazz. From there, Chris Ballin takes the helm and sings "Labor of Love", a new classic soul ballad for sure. Our beloved Maysa comes back and sings the pleasant title cut and then follows it with the smooth ballad and single "Shade of Blue", and from there it just keeps getting better. "Without You", "Living Against the River", it just goes on and on. While some tracks are definitely stronger than others, there's not one track that's a throwaway, though I have to admit that "All That You Want Me To Be" comes close. Other than that, this is one of the most solid albums I own, with lots of replay value.
If you like smooth jazz and R&B, pick this up. If you hate smooth jazz as interpreted by the crop of "smooth jazz" stations out there but like good contemporary jazz-influenced music and vocals, also pick this up. It is smooth and jazzy but definitely not "smooth jazz". If you like neo-soul, check it out too. Incognito gets put in a box over here in the US with all the rest of contemporary jazz, but they are really straddling the lines of a few genres, and doing it well.
This album, if placed into your car during a road trip, will make for the shortest and most pleasant hour of the journey. If placed into your CD changer during a small get-together at the house, it will bring questions and compliments.
Get it.
Rating:
- Among Finest From Incognito Collective
Oh man,I REALLY wanted to give this album the 5-star rating because from listening to the opening instrumental jam to the closing instrumental (track 12),one might surely find Beneath The Surface to be a true Incognito masterwork. However, the U.S. version I bought contains two bonus tracks that, even though were interesting enough to listen to, just didn't fit at all within the context of the album. It is THAT version of the album for which I'm giving the 4-star rating.
That said, the songs contained therein are some of the best written you'll find of any Incognito album. The music is smooth and seductive thanks to group leader Maunick's greater emphasis on live instrumentation this time around. One only has to listen to the RealAudio samples to get the picture. It also helps to have the vocal talents of Maysa Leak make a welcome return, demonstrating on several tracks why many fans consider her to be the real shining star of Incognito.
So if any of you happen to come across the European version of this album that was rumored not to have the two nice yet totally unnecessary bonus tracks on it, then for all intents and purposes SNATCH IT UP! Otherwise, feel content with the U.S. version. Either way, you can't go wrong. It is a very well-executed project that demands immediate and repeated listening.
Rating: - Thank god for this cd!
my, my ,my.......if you need a music friend,this cd is not only your comfort zone....it's a cd to relate...to understand...to give to take.....to have faith.....everything you could imagine, is told thru the song!
My fav's are Out of the Storm,Misunderstood,A shade of blue and Beneath The Surface just to name a few!
When maysa blows...you like girl I know what your saying......I tried,.I tried.I tried..uh yeah Beaneath Surface.....Lord knows I tried...a pure gem..waiting to be found!
So go right ahead and pick up a copy and see what your missing beneath the surface!
Peace
Rating: - Excellent
This is my favorite album from Incognito. There are several favorites on this disc, but to narrow it down, I would have to say that Shade Of Blue, Beneath The Surface, Without You, Hold On To Me, and Fountain Of Love are the ones that I like the most. The vocals on here are awesome and they are backed by a dynamic and consistent band. I recommend this one not only to jazz fans, but to fans of wonderful music because this is exactly what you will experience when you purchase this Incognito disc.
- Nearly Perfect LPI said 'nearly' because the gruff, overemotional, almost barking voice of vocalist Chris Ballin doesn't really fit into the lush, beautiful grooves "Bluey" and Co. produce hear. While this is certainly some of the finest British Soul ever produced, the right singers and talents must be present to convincingly carry it off. The return of the incredible (and lovely) Maysa Leak is a welcome addition and her reading of the LP's highlight, "A Shade Of Blue" is worth the price of admission. Another fine collection from a brilliant and underrated band.
Rating:
- Mastery of SoulI have liked Incognito since WCLK 91.9 in Atlanta started playing "Deep Waters" in '94, but this is now my favorite release from them, better than Positivity or Life: Stranger than Fiction. The album starts off strong with the instrumental "Solar Fire", establishing their full-band, horn-rich brand of acid jazz. From there, Chris Ballin takes the helm and sings "Labor of Love", a new classic soul ballad for sure. Our beloved Maysa comes back and sings the pleasant title cut and then follows it with the smooth ballad and single "Shade of Blue", and from there it just keeps getting better. "Without You", "Living Against the River", it just goes on and on. While some tracks are definitely stronger than others, there's not one track that's a throwaway, though I have to admit that "All That You Want Me To Be" comes close. Other than that, this is one of the most solid albums I own, with lots of replay value.
If you like smooth jazz and R&B, pick this up. If you hate smooth jazz as interpreted by the crop of "smooth jazz" stations out there but like good contemporary jazz-influenced music and vocals, also pick this up. It is smooth and jazzy but definitely not "smooth jazz". If you like neo-soul, check it out too. Incognito gets put in a box over here in the US with all the rest of contemporary jazz, but they are really straddling the lines of a few genres, and doing it well.
This album, if placed into your car during a road trip, will make for the shortest and most pleasant hour of the journey. If placed into your CD changer during a small get-together at the house, it will bring questions and compliments.
Get it.
Rating:
- Among Finest From Incognito CollectiveOh man,I REALLY wanted to give this album the 5-star rating because from listening to the opening instrumental jam to the closing instrumental (track 12),one might surely find Beneath The Surface to be a true Incognito masterwork. However, the U.S. version I bought contains two bonus tracks that, even though were interesting enough to listen to, just didn't fit at all within the context of the album. It is THAT version of the album for which I'm giving the 4-star rating.
That said, the songs contained therein are some of the best written you'll find of any Incognito album. The music is smooth and seductive thanks to group leader Maunick's greater emphasis on live instrumentation this time around. One only has to listen to the RealAudio samples to get the picture. It also helps to have the vocal talents of Maysa Leak make a welcome return, demonstrating on several tracks why many fans consider her to be the real shining star of Incognito.
So if any of you happen to come across the European version of this album that was rumored not to have the two nice yet totally unnecessary bonus tracks on it, then for all intents and purposes SNATCH IT UP! Otherwise, feel content with the U.S. version. Either way, you can't go wrong. It is a very well-executed project that demands immediate and repeated listening.
Rating:
- Thank god for this cd!my, my ,my.......if you need a music friend,this cd is not only your comfort zone....it's a cd to relate...to understand...to give to take.....to have faith.....everything you could imagine, is told thru the song!
My fav's are Out of the Storm,Misunderstood,A shade of blue and Beneath The Surface just to name a few!
When maysa blows...you like girl I know what your saying......I tried,.I tried.I tried..uh yeah Beaneath Surface.....Lord knows I tried...a pure gem..waiting to be found!
So go right ahead and pick up a copy and see what your missing beneath the surface!
Peace
Rating:
- ExcellentThis is my favorite album from Incognito. There are several favorites on this disc, but to narrow it down, I would have to say that Shade Of Blue, Beneath The Surface, Without You, Hold On To Me, and Fountain Of Love are the ones that I like the most. The vocals on here are awesome and they are backed by a dynamic and consistent band. I recommend this one not only to jazz fans, but to fans of wonderful music because this is exactly what you will experience when you purchase this Incognito disc.