Tales From the Beach

Incognito | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 24, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Heads Up
• ASIN: B00168X0U2
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,776 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #9 in Music > Jazz > Acid Jazz
  • #29 in Music > R&B > Funk > Jazz Funk
  • #71 in Music > Dance & DJ > House

Editorial Reviews

From the Artist

The album title is a reference to "Bluey" Maunick's musical evolution since his childhood on the small island of Mauritius (off the coast of Madagascar). "When I was a kid, my first taste of music came from the beaches of Mauritius," he says. "I spent a lot of time listening to the hotel bands, or the bands playing around the bonfires and cookouts. It's a small island, so there were beaches everywhere. I was always watching live musicians play. So for inspiration for this album, I went back to various beaches around the world - in Italy, Indonesia and elsewhere - and just let the music flow."

Product Description

2008 album from the Acid Jazz favorites. Tales From The Beach, recorded in Italy, Germany, Indonesia, London, and mixed in Jakarta, is an album of 15 refreshing and uplifting songs. Each of the tracks are beautifully crafted; with guest vocals from Maysa Leak (I've Been Waiting') and Tony Momrelle, who turns in a stunning vocal on 'When The Sun Comes Down'. Other highlights including the four-to-the-floor stomper, 'Step Aside' and 'N.O.T.', an Acid Jazz-flavored track with horns reminiscent of the Average White Band

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best yet -- "Adventures" Part II, June 25, 2008

By 

Peace Brotha (Ohio, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tales From the Beach (Audio CD)

"Tales From The Beach" is Incognito doing what they do best. Nuff said. As prolific as this band is, this is one of their best sets to date, bar none.

I have to agree with the other reviews here on 2 main points: the consistency of the Cog's style, and the fact this sounds like "Adventures In Black Sunshine II," which is a great thing.

Incognito is one of the few bands still making music that can keep their same OVERALL sound without getting stuck in it. One set may have a hint of espresso, another is more mellow, yet another may have intricate string arrangements, and so on. But the sound never gets stale. Every now and then they may record a song that can be interchangeable with a previous one. (The same could be said of artists considered to be geniuses, such as Stevie Wonder.) But that is quite rare, and no such thing exists here on "Tales." If anything, this set sees Bluey and and the crew taking things to an even higher level of intricacy to please hardcore musicians and DJ's alike.

"Adventures In Black Sunshine" most closely matches the vibe of "Tales" and is a perfect follow up to it in every way. The subsequent releases after "AIBS" ("Eleven" & "Bees, Things, and Flowers") were quite good in their own right, yet each had a different flavor. But "Tales" picks right up from "AIBS" and any fan of that album will thoroughly enjoy this one.

In fact, this is a good place for anyone to start exploring Incognito's many pleasures, even if someone has never heard of the group. It's a wonderful recording in every way imaginable.

Buy the disc, download the tracks, whatever ... but treat yourself. It's more than worth it, especially in 2008 when real, genuine good M-U-S-I-C is rare.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nothing Short of Excellent, June 24, 2008

By 

K. Jo Cooley (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tales From the Beach (Audio CD)

I actually really like this album. I am surprised not more reviewers are commenting on this jewel of album. But, then again, most hip Incognito fans are too busy grooving, doing their thing, to stop and drop a review. Why? Because Incognito fans are grown folks and desire grown folks music. I am in my late twenties and I find myself gravitating toward this sound of music - a lot of soul, some acid jazz, a funky riff here and there, some wonderful house tones, and yes, Maysa. Definitely a solid album. Just prior to obtaining Tales From The Beach, I listened to songs from a prior album, Adventures In Sunshine - it appears this latest album picks up where Adventures left off. Sublime and familiar. Definitely five stars.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars funkster from last century, July 26, 2008

By 

Andrew Meadows "goodmusiclover" (Oakville, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tales From the Beach (Audio CD)

There are some musicians that couldn't put out a bad product even if they tried. That takes talent and Incognito have that in spades ! Everyone of their albums gives me a good feeling and keeps my toes tapping. This rates up there with any of the best stuff from this band. If this genre is your bag (how could you not like it!) then you'll love this one. It's funky, melodic and the CD tracks are sequenced perfectly, with occasional vocal appearences by the fantastic Maysa. I could listen to this all day (along with Pieces Of A Dream, Down To The Bone, Brooklyn Funk Essentials, Brand New Heavies, etc). Get it if you haven't already.