Music : Tales from the Beach

Rating: - Stick With It!
After "Bees And Things And Flowers," I was so looking forward to "Tales" (and maybe that was the problem)that I almost ripped the cd out of the posties hands.

But after a couple of listens I was ready to consign it to the "looks like they are on the downslope" section of my cd collection.The more laid back acoustic groove of what I thought was merely a stop gap release in "Bees....." remained and I was left thinking, where had they left their funkiness?

HOWEVER......I am happy to report I was very very wrong. Having stuck with it "Tales..." is actually a very mature collection of songs from a band who are at the top of their playing/singing abilities. The first 7 tracks demonstrate what the album is all about - the songs aren't as immediate as, say Eleven or Positivity, but "N.O.T" and "I've Been Waiting" are real head bobbing growers. Tony Momrelle appears to have been posessed by the spirit of Stevie Wonder on "When The Sun Comes Down" but Imaani and Joy Rose are not overshadowed either - especially on "Silence Of My Mind" and the hauntingly beautiful "It May Rain Sometime". In fact it's Maysa's voice that sounds as if it's lost some power compared to earlier releases.

The big plus point as well is that the songs really work live - as an attendee at the July Concorde 2 Brighton gig I can testify that "N.O.T" will be a favourite for years to come.

But don't form an opinion until you've played it at least 10 times - sometimes the best things in life are worth waiting for!

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Rating: - A Real Grower
On first listen I was bit disappointed - but I kept at it, and sure enough the grooves started to register, and in time nearly every track was etched on my brain. Really a very strong album indeed - not quite 5 star as there a one or two weaker tracks - but overall a cracker. "Love, Joy and Understanding" is an absolute stand out. A real return to form - right up there with the superb "Eleven".

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Rating: - Every track is a killer diller!
From the moment you listen to the first track to the very end, the CD just breathes pure brilliance on the part of the Incognito team.
A wonderful compilation of feel good factor songs.
Every home should have one - I remember Robbie V used to use that phrase!
Dr Groove at Smooth Groovers loves it too.
The CD will join my collection of Incognito CDs - to be always cherished and always fresh!

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Rating: - QUALITY AT IT'S SOULFUL BEST
A brilliant album. An underated group that are of an overated standard, Incognito never fail to bring you the blissfull sound of soul/jazz/funk/house/ with a latin flavoured beat. Bluey hits number one each time, and the quality of the featured vocalists are of the highest standard. I have all their albums to date and each time it justs better. Totally recommend this album and their previous ones if your considering a purchase.
Music that brings peace on a sunset beach to your imagination. Sit back, close your eyes, top up the Sangria and listen....

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Rating: - As good as it gets!
One of these days, I'm half-expecting Incognito to make an album that doesn't immediately find it's way into my CD player and stay there for several weeks. This is definitely NOT that album.

If you liked "Who Needs Love", "Adventures in Black Sunshine" or "Eleven", you're going to love "Tales From The Beach". All the classic Incognito elements are there: infectious grooves, razor-sharp horns, soulful vocals.... and a whole set of great new songs from Bluey and his various writing partners.

One notable return to the writing team is multi-instrumentalist Richard Bull, who co-wrote many of the best-known and best-loved tracks from early albums such as "Positivity" and "Tribes, Vibes + Scribes".

My personal favourite from this album is "Love, Joy, Understanding". Other stand-out tracks include "Freedom To Love", "N.O.T." and "Never Look Back".

As other reviewers have already commented, buy this album - you won't be disappointed!