Customer Reviews

Transatlantic RPM

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Incognito has become what Earth, Wind & Fire used to be, a musical experience. "Bluey" gets to cook with the likes of Maysa, Chaka Khan, Leon Ware, Ursula Rucker, Mario Biondi and an assortment of others(Vanessa Haynes, Tony Momrelle & Joy Rose) he has kept in his ensemble. 5 stars is not enough for this outing. I absolutely love the flow of horns,strings,drums and REAL voices on my commute to and from work. Thanks "Bluey" & Co. You did it again!

At first listen this recording slams down the funk. It gives a fresh approach with some younger talent (and I'm sure they learned a lot) without much compromise. Being from Philly it was nice to see Ursula Rucker get some play. This CD still carries the unmistakeable Incognito sound. Early reservations quickly become obsolete once you hear the song "1975" where Joy Rose "turn(s) it out". Another highlight is hearing Chaka Khan on, "The Song", sound like shes back with Rufus or even on her solos "Naughty" or "What Cha' Gonna Do For Me". Combined with guitar work by Larry Dunn and its so engaging it draws you to a tear. Maysa is, well, Maysa. Enough said. Tony Momrelle and Vanessa Haynes sound good and bring the energy. Leon Ware also sounds good. Mario Biondi is impressive in the song, "Can't Get Enough". Once again there's that Joy Rose in the song, "All Of My Life". Absolutely awesome!!! Then of course there's Bluey bringing some vocals which you rarely here. And it works well. Hey. There's not a bad song on this cd. After the first two songs, which still aren't bad, you can jus let it play. Musically this recording is top notch. I love the change-ups in the songs. Don't sleep this. There's NOTHING out there better. NOTHING!!!

I've listened to this cd many times; I think that this album suffers for a big lack on new ideas, and these songs (or at least many of them) are closer to commercial contemporary R&B, and are not similar to the glorius Incognito albums of the 90's; there's not sense of rhythm, I can't find here the groove and funk that made their past albums great; the special guests here (Mario Biondi and Chaka Khan, among the others) can't elevate this music to the glorius past of the group.

Along with The Brand New Heavies and Jamiroquai, Incognito are part of the British Acid Jazz movement. "Transatlantic RPM" is the group's thirteenth album and is more of their free-flowing Funky Jazzy Soul sound.

Opening is a groovy cover of Boz Scaggs' "Lowdown" with Chaka Khan and a grainy voiced Mario Biondi playfully trading verses and scatting. Khan appears again on the lilting "The song" which she co-penned.

The breezy "Everything that we are" features a laid-back rap by Luckyiam. "1975" features Joy Rose and is a horn-peppered upbeat groove looking back to the year of Stevie Wonder and Watergate. Soul veteran Leon Ware caresses "Line in the sand" with his velvetty croon. "Gotta" features a poetry-style recital by Ursula Rucker. "Let's fall in love again" is a bouncy Latin-infused groove featuring Christian Urich smoothly alternating between falsetto and full vocals. It wouldn't sound out of place on a Jamiroquai album.

"Put a little lovin' in your heart" is Disco-tinged with jabs of bass and Tony Momrelle on vocals. "Can't get enough" features Mario Biondi over skittery beats and an already familiar sounding chorus. "Expresso madureira" is a Latin-infused instrumental and closing is the dreamy "Tell me what to do" featuring the vocals of band founding member Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick.

Incognito have been making music for about thirty years and they still groove with the best of them.

Incognito has always introduced its listeners to different sounds. Every element depicts a journal of music. Transatlantic continues to follow that same path. Incognito definitely brings it to light.

My love affair with the band began with "No Time Since the Future" and I have purchased each successive album since that one. However, I have yet to find the subsequent releases to come to the level of the first...until now.

"Transatlantic RPM" is a musical triumph for the group, paying homage to hits of others with intriguing reworkings along with the unique style that is the trademark of Incognito.

The album is chock full of winners but, surprisingly, the best track is a cover of Boz Scagg's 70's hit "Lowdown," this time featuring the incomparable Chaka Khan on lead vocals.

That track alone makes this a must-have for fans of the band or just fans of GOOD music!

Incognito is my Earth Wind and Fire one great song after another for twenty years period. No they are not EWF but if they had a kissing cousin Incognito is it.

I just learned why the name of the group. Never the less, Bluey needs to find some new tricks soon because what has become predictable will soon be boring without fresh inspiration on his part. All in all a solid recording that will not disappoint loyal fans, won't thrill new ones either.

Track number one is by far the best! "Lowdown" featuring Chaka Khan brings new life to the classic Boz Scaggs song. First heard the track on Sirius/XM watercolors and had to have the CD. Superb audio quality, and the entire album is worth listening to. I highly recommend picking this one up, you won't regret it!

I am a big fan of Bluey and Incognito. This album is worth waiting for their new album and for the celebration of their 30 years of making great music. It's featured Chaka Kkhan, Maysa, Mario Biondi, Leon Ware and more on this album so don't wait to own one! :-)