Bees + Things + Flowers

Incognito | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 26, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Narada
• ASIN: B000JCETLU
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #64,066 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Jean-Paul Maunick and his Incognito mates have spent the last 30 years refining and boiling down their version of acid jazz to a smoothly textured, immaculately produced sheen. Bees + Things + Flowers has a more retro vibe about it, filled with peaceful soul, stellar vocalists, and a few smartly executed covers. "Summer in the City" is a prime example of the latter, featuring a loopy vocal line, nimbly negotiated by Carleen Anderson, that floats over soft horns and snippets of playful synth. The singers Maunick brings in are often given the spotlight, even on a jazz flight like "Stand;" of course, a singer like Jocelyn Brown isn't exactly easy to upstage. At times, the record sacrifices tight structure for wandering bliss, like on the nine-minute Earth, Wind & Fire closer "That's the Way of the World." On the other hand, it's not like you can't wait for that nine minutes to end. Maunick, as always, makes it sound like there's all the time in the world. --Matthew Cooke

Product Description

The enduring success of Incognito is one of the great stories of UK music. Inspired by the acoustic and soulful-yet-Laidback funk of Bill Withers, the haunting string arrangements of David Axelrod, and the close harmonies of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, bees + thing+flowers was recorded with the 'unplugged' concept in mind. Every instrument is acoustic except the Fender Rhodes electric piano and Fender electric bass. The new album is a mixture of the old ('Deep Waters,' 'Still a Friend of Mine'), the borrowed ('Everybody Loves the Sunshine,' 'Tin Man') and the new ('Crave').

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars [...]Review, January 1, 2007

By 

Sandy Shore (Monterey, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bees Things & Flowers (Audio CD)

The concept behind this stunning new album from the legendary London-based Incognito is innovation... thinking outside the box. The result is exciting and adventurous. Leader Jean-Paul (Bluey) Maunick has created a truly unique collection of music here that not only has his new label wanting more, but could very well prove to be a defining moment for the band. The title of the disc sets the tone, in that it comes from their take on the Roy Ayers Acid Jazz classic "Everybody Loves the Sunshine." The Haiku-like lyrics (BEES + THINGS + FLOWERS) created the perfect vehicle for Bluey to be able to express the concept of new beginnings in a totally hip way, i.e. bees and flowers, the circle of life... see how it all fits together? Brilliant, as is the entire project! Conceived and recorded over the warm London summer of 2006, the disc embraces a set list that includes four of the group's classic titles (re-done acoustically and down-tempo), four well-chosen covers, and three brand new compositions. In addition, Bluey used more vocalists (including Maysa) on this date than ever before on an Incognito recording. Instrumentally, the Fender Rhodes becomes a key ingredient in the mix, as do acoustic guitar and electric bass. BEES + THINGS + FLOWERS is a ground-breaking Incognito album. Philosophically, that's where Bluey is with it, and that's how you'll hear it too. Kick off the new year with a fresh approach to Smooth Jazz! ~SCOTT O'BRIEN

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another gem from Incognito, October 11, 2006

By 

Tomas Zahorka (St. Louis, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bees Things & Flowers (Audio CD)

Incognito came out with a new ambum. This time they did covers of seventees classics such as Everybody Loves the Sunshine, Summer in the City, and That's the of the World. they came with a new fresh sound for incognito, powerful string and violin sessions, excelent vocals of Carleen Anderson, Maysa, Joy Rose, Jocelyn Brown and Imani as well as Tony Momberelle. They also remade Always There, Still a friend of Mine, Everyday and Deep Waters, which have also a fresh and very slow beat to it. Altogether, this one is another smash in the line of Incognito music!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It grows on you alright, October 28, 2006

By 

Kboogie "lilnicole2003" (Denver, Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bees Things & Flowers (Audio CD)

Ok, being a longtime Incognito fan this albums hits close to home. I think this album captures everything Bluey has wanted to do since recording some of these songs almost 13, or 15 years in some cases. When I say what he wanted to do, I say give these songs different arrangements and vocal arrangements.

I love this album, because it is very laid back.... The first song "Everybody Loves The Sunshine" automatically draws you in..... It has that signature Incognito hook and beat.... I don't know how to describe it, Incognito's beats are just funky..... It makes you want to listen to them more because of the beat....

Anyway, another one of my favorite reworks are "Every Day" Imanni owns this song no disrespect to Pam Anderson.... I also like the rework of "Always There," sorry, this one sounds better than the orginal. My other favorite rework is "Deep Waters", this song can be reworked and Bluey has done it.... Bluey and Maysa combo enough said!

Anyway, I'm almost done listening to the album and it is amazing. Now, I have to say almost every album this band has done has been off the hook, but this album is special.... I see good things....

Oh, and check out the cover of "That's The Way Of The World." They did a great job, I think Maurice White would be proud!