Customer Reviews

Bees Things & Flowers

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

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!

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!

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.

Incognito is known the world over for their smooth melodic music, whether it be their classic ballads or their upbeat jazz offerings. Guitarist and songwriter Bluey wanted to give long-time listeners and newcomers a twist on the songs that they grew to love and put forward new music to let their imaginations flow free. Some songs on their newest album Bees + Things + Flowers are stripped down to a basic drum beat (the Maysa-assisted "Deep Waters") while others are submerged into a totally different format from what the songs were a part of originally (like the once club hopper now smoothed out "Everyday"). New songs like "Crave" and "You Are Golden" as well as covers like "Everybody Loves The Sunshine" by the incomparable Roy Ayers and "That's The Way Of The World" by the equally talented Earth Wind And Fire take on a whole new meaning on this project. Fans will be surprised by the new renditions and the way you can find a new found love for a song you've listened to for years. Only a group like Incognito can take you on a magical journey that is familiar yet brand new at the same time. Bees + Things + Flowers is a great collection to add to your ever-growing cd collection of good music.

Incognito can do no wrong in my book. The music, band, production, vocalists, and arrangements have all been top-notch since their 1981 debut, resulting in some truly remarkable albums and mind-blowing songs along the way.

During that time, the group have racked up a wealth of uptempo hits, club favorites, and jams. While much of their fan base appreciates all sides of this multi-faceted organization, many Cog-heads look for that "good time" music on every new release ... and will ultimately be disappointed with this latest set, at least at first.

BTF has NO uptempo numbers. All the songs are acoustic or slow to very slow. They are perfect for a romantic evening, winding down, etc. But the people that are looking for something to which they can shake what their mama gave 'em will be starving for a remix album of these tunes (which would actually be a great idea). Think of it as Merlot rather than espresso, and you've got the vibe. Rich, dark and exotic, but mellowing rather than energizing.

BTF is a brief but solid album that well may be the only one of its type that the band will ever release, and for that it's special. And again, the execution is passionate -- yet virtually flawless in execution. Very few bands can pull that off once, let alone album after album, after album. Among other strong remakes, their take on "That's The Way Of The World" may be the best ever, second only to Earth Wind and Fire's brilliant original.

I applaud Incognito for delving fully into their mellow and softer side. Rump-shakers: be assured that Bluey is cooking up something hot for you. Take a breather and give BTF a chance.

We must don't forget that Acid jazz is a musical genre that combines elements of soul music, funk, disco, and another moods, any, maybe, beats and sounds of the street. The compositions of this disc, often feature chord structures usually associated with Jazz music, but Bees + Things + Flowers" is an album with a difference. The album 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 as well as a stunning remake of America's Tin Man. Is it new? Only you can answer... Instead all of the vocalists excel on their respective tracks - Joy Rose, on her return to the band's recording line-up after a couple of years touring the world singing with Sting, we can smell the only truth - beats and sound of the funk, like the master George Clinton - American musician and the principal architect of Parliament Funkadelic - sad once time - somewhere in time... are always a masterpiece - for me, you know - Incognito. Thanks.

Incognito is a oldtime group with a new time sound, this album is neo-soul with a jazzy groove. The band members are about 21 deep, different people take turns singing thru-out the album.Maybe 3 female vocalist & 2 male vocalist.The instrument arrangement are pleasan.t The violin, cello, and harp can be heard on different tracks.Its great to hear so many sounds from a modern day band, that's not considered rock or nor jazz. Not since Earth,wind & Fire has a modern day group attempted these heights.

CD came quickly, no problems, but actual CD is a lot of remixes of incognito's old stuff. Wouldn't necessarily say that the remixes are better than the original tracks on my other CDs.

who is joy rose and where has she been hiding. everybody loves the sunshine is the bomb. talk about a nice cd. to bad the smooth jazz station here in las vegas never played this song on the radio, with all due respect to roy ayers this song was much better, though mary j blidge did it gorgeous also. track 2 everyday is also very smoothing and of course maysa on here makes me smile. glad i bought this one also, buy it folks and get your smile on, trust me