Bees + Things + Flowers

Incognito

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 26, 2006)
• Original Release Date: December 26, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Narada
• ASIN: B000JCETLU
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #76,059 in Music (See Bestsellers 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 --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Product Description

2006 album from this soulful Acid Jazz band. It features new arrangements of four Incognito classics ('Always There', 'Still A Friend Of Mine', 'Everyday' and 'Deep Waters') and covers of such great tunes as Roy Ayers' 'Everybody Loves The Sunshine', Earth Wind & Fire's 'That's The Way Of The World', 'Summer In The City' and a stunning remake of America's 'Tin Man'. There are also three brand new Bluey compositions. Six tracks feature a 16-piece string section and the line-up of lead vocalists on this radio-friendly album is the strongest ever assembled for an Incognito album: Carleen Anderson, Jocelyn Brown, Maysa, Joy Rose, Imaani and Tony Momrelle. Dome. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

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 + Flowers + Things (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!

7 of 9 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 + Flowers + Things (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

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars nice work, bluey, March 27, 2008

By	lady marmalade (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews

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

no, you won't find the uptempo grooves that is their signature work. but listen again, 'cause what you have here is a collection of scaled down pieces that really bring out the high degree of talent these artists have. i'm a vocals person--check out joy on sunshine, imaani on everyday, carleen (my goodness!), jossy!, of course maysa, and of course brother tony! i mean these voices are all unique and are all just plain sweet. as to the musicians, the acoustic guitar on everyday, the piano on tin man...man, just sweet. i could go on and on, but the short of it--if you just wanna bop your head, yea, you might need to go somewhere else. but if you wanna listen and actually hear something, bluey delivers for you, as he always does. that, after all, is his true signature--bringing crack musicians into an organic whole, all towards putting something sweet in your ear.

i'm only here because my old cd got scratched. guess i played it too much. i gotta get another one.