Incognito ended their longest break between studio albums since their 1980s dormancy with
Into You, a return that spotlights
Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick's new recruits early and often. Opener "Keep Me in the Dark," built on one of the group's trademark rolling grooves, features
Natalie Duncan's vivacious, forthright vocals and enough space for high-spirited solos from pianist
Chicco Allotta and guitarist
Charlie Allen. It's merely one of the album's many demonstrations of how
Maunick can continually welcome new collaborators while creating records that sound precisely like
Incognito without any role seeming interchangeable. For all the layers
Maunick and co-producers
Richard Bull and
Mo Hausler are adept at packing into other energized highlights like "Nothing Makes Me Feel Better" and "Stories of Our Past," they're just as effective when they strip it down. "Keep On Dancing," one of four songs fronted by
Tomorrow's New Dream contributor
Cherri V, needs little more than swaying/knocking drums and
Francis Hylton's sparing melodic bassline. "Tell Me Something," one of
Incognito's finest love ballads, gently accentuates a yearning vocal from
James Berkeley (of
Yakul). If it wasn't for the subtle rhythmic touches of hip-hop and go-go, "Colourblind" could pass for a tribute to the early-'80s Jamaica, Queens scene (
Don Blackman,
Lesette Wilson, etc.). A typically lengthy
Incognito set at 80 minutes, this makes room for instrumentals like the steaming "Lowrider," sky-high "Come to Me," and lighter numbers such as the lilting "Close to Midnight" and duly pacific "Back on the Beach." ~ Andy Kellman
