Incognito At Ronnie Scotts

Returning back to its spiritual home at Ronnie Scotts Jazz club in London for a five-day run of sold-out concerts, Incognito continued to prove why the British jazz funk band is still on a winning streak with a concert that highlighted the excellent musicianship within the current line-up.

Led by Jean-Paul 'Bluey' Maunick, the band has won considerable acclaim since releasing its debut album in 1981.

The music is best heard in small clubs where the audience can experience the music up close though that does sometimes mean that with twelve band members on stage it can be a tight squeeze on the stage.

Bluey reminisced that he used to hang around outside Ronnie Scotts as a youngster to try and meet the legendary jazz artists who were appearing at the iconic venue. Hearing the rationale behind the songs, gave the show an intimacy. The song 1975 was inspired when Bluey went to see Santana in London – supported by Earth Wind and Fire.

The current set appeared to be one of the best to date: Joy Rose took the 1975 to a higher level whilst Natalie Duncan added an even more soulful touch to Above the Night with Cherri V coming to the fore on Only A Matter of Time.

Stevie Wonder has always been a considerable influence on Bluey – the version of Don’t You Worry ‘bout a Thing sounded as if the track was one of their own. Though it was on their own compositions such as I See The Sun and the Acid Jazz tinged Talkin’ Loud where Incognito really began to find their groove.

The obligatory One Love from Bob Marley was heard as the band left the stage; it had been a night where the power of music had brought people together – one fan had flown in from Japan to attend the whole series of concerts.

A perfect combination of the right band at the right venue. Pure class from all concerned.