“Amplified
Soul”, the 16th studio album from Incognito, consists of 16 new recordings
soaked in soul, coated in jazz with more than a twist of funk and dance. Or as
Bluey puts it: “This is a labour of love, a gift to those who have supported us
over the years”.
Recorded
and mixed at the legendary Livingston Studio in North London where The Buena
Vista Social Club‘s eponymous multimillion selling first album was mixed and
also Björk‘s 1993 debut album recorded and mixed, this album features singers
Tony Momrelle, Vanessa Haynes and new addition Katie Leone who provide some of
the best vocal performances ever recorded by the band. They are joined by
legendary singer songwriter Carleen Anderson and Connecticut born funkstress
Deborah Bond and the return one of the Incognito fans favourite Imaani, with
the addition of a totally fresh voice on the scene in the form of the soulful
22 year old Australian debutant Chiara Hunter.
Guitarist,
main producer and band leader Bluey once again leads his tight rhythm section
of Francis Hylton on bass, Matt Cooper on keyboards, Francesco Mendolia on
drums and the young percussion sensation Joao Caetano to create a bed of
soulful funky irresistible grooves that are punctuated by the trademark
Incognito horns. At times on this album the band navigates towards a darker
sound than on their previous works offering the listener a new adventure with
wonderfully crafted songs wrapped in warm tones. At other times they just get
joyously funky!
There
are guest performances by original Jamiroquai drummer Nick Van Gelder on two
cuts, the awesome alto saxophonist Nigel Hitchcock, synthesizer wizard Ski
Oakenfull, Elements Of Life percussionist Roberto Quintero, and Incognito regular
contributor Richard Bull and many more. From the plaintive opening number
“Amplify My Soul” you get echoes of a classic era that could be easily
associated with Marvin Gaye or Stevie’s offerings from the 70’s, to the bubbly,
bouncy, catchy number that is immediate and infectious “Hats (Make Me Wanna
Holler)”, the album unites all of Incognito’s best character traits. If ever
Incognito had a festival crowd anthem, then “Hands Up If You Wanna Be Loved” is
it!
Tracklist:
1.
Amplify My Soul (Part 1)
2. I
Couldn't Love You More
3.
Rapture
4. Hands
Up If You Wanna Be Loved
5. Hats
(Make Me Wanna Holler)
6.
Silver Shadow
7.
Deeper Still
8.
Amplify My Soul (Part 2)
9.
Something bout July
10. Day
Or Night
11. Wind
Sorceress
12.
Another Way
13. I
See The Sun
14.
Never Known A Love Like This
15. The
Hands Of Time
16. Stop
Running Away
~ Amazon UK
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