Albums: Bluey - Skint

Bluey - Skint

Skint; Because Of You; Bring On The Day; Move It Up; Repeating Myself; All My Favourite Things; Show Me; It Ain't Worth It; Best Of Me; Life Is A Dance; Francis Plays The Bass; She Plays Me; Broken Satellite

(Splash Blue)

Known worldwide as the mastermind behind the iconic acid-jazz band Incognito, Bluey turns inward for Skint, delivering an honest, raw and triumphant musical masterpiece. Crafted amidst his personal journey and open diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease, the album transforms struggle into artistic resonance, serving as a powerful testament to vulnerability, strength, and the healing power of the groove.

The production throughout isn’t as abundant as on an Incognito album, but that is not to say that Bluey’s fourth solo album is sparse; far from it, with soulful tracks aplenty here. The title track comes from the perspective of a younger version of Bluey, as the lyric deals with having no money and wanting to buy some flowers for his girlfriend, with a track that mixes the talents of Ski Oakenfull, who plays the instruments on the track. Co-written by Bluey and Oakenfull, it provides a stylish introduction to a project rooted in groove rather than gimmicks.

Because Of You sees subdued horns creating an irresistible hook. Bring On The Day, a sublime and seductive groove could have come off any of the Incognito albums, though of the majority of these you would be hard pressed to hear Bluey sing, rather letting his band of interchangeable vocalists take centre stage.

All My Favourite Things could be a slowed-down Level 42 track before Show Me develops in a summery track with yet another guitar hook though with the lyric detailing “the mountains I must climb” it does seem to refer to Bluey’s diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, though again referring to Level 42, the lead vocal does sound uncannily like Mark King the vocalist and skilful bass player in the aforementioned band.

There is substance beneath the smooth exterior. Bluey describes the record as a reflection on his past, the changing nature of love, his enduring passion for dance music and his thoughts on the modern world. That personal perspective gives Skint a more reflective dimension than a straightforward collection of feel-good grooves. Yes, there are touches of Incognito here, but ultimately this is Bluey crafting his own path.

This appealing new record is for listeners who value musicianship and feeling as much as a beat that gets the body moving with a set of songs that will appeal beyond the fan base of Incognito.