Tribes, Vibes and Scribes

Tribes, Vibes and Scribes

ASIN: B0000046MX

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Incognito's third album nods to the influences that ground their jazz-funk-and-soul jams. The 11-member band adds a Latin feel to a snazzy cover of Stevie Wonder's "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing," while "Magnetic Ocean" has a Weather Report-in-ballad-mode vibe. "Change" combines Maysa Leak's Chaka Khan-like power with sweeping Soul II Soul-ish strings, and "Need to Know" gives props to Roy Ayers (check the clavinet) and Rick James (horn section). The band is at its best showcasing Leak or featuring soloists, as on "Colibri" and the Mandrill-ish "Closer to the Feeling." Still, some attempts fall flat, like the syrupy "L'Arc en Ciel de Miles" that's more Chuck Mangione than Prince of Darkness. This one's for smooth-jazz aficionados; Brit-funk fans should check the band's later fare. --Suzanne McElfresh

Tracks:

Colibri
Change
River In My Dreams
Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing
Magnetic Ocean
I Love What You Do For Me
Closer To The Feeling
L'Arc En Ciel De Miles
Need To Know
Pyramids
Tribal Vibes

Amazon.com

Incognito's third album nods to the influences that ground their jazz-funk-and-soul jams. The 11-member band adds a Latin feel to a snazzy cover of Stevie Wonder's "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing," while "Magnetic Ocean" has a Weather Report-in-ballad-mode vibe. "Change" combines Maysa Leak's Chaka Khan-like power with sweeping Soul II Soul-ish strings, and "Need to Know" gives props to Roy Ayers (check the clavinet) and Rick James (horn section). The band is at its best showcasing Leak or featuring soloists, as on "Colibri" and the Mandrill-ish "Closer to the Feeling." Still, some attempts fall flat, like the syrupy "L'Arc en Ciel de Miles" that's more Chuck Mangione than Prince of Darkness. This one's for smooth-jazz aficionados; Brit-funk fans should check the band's later fare. --Suzanne McElfresh

Customer Reviews:

Good music is good music.......2006-11-25

Ain't no doubt about it, this is good music. No correction; this is great music. The Cogs brought their A game on this one. It really is a standout release. Highlights are numerous, but the one that knocks me out is Maya's powerhouse delivery on I Love What You Do For Me. Man! Such emotion.....and what a voice!!! Do yourself a favor and pick this one up.

Nominee: Most Refreshing Musicians - Incognito.......2006-03-15

I have been a fan of the musical genius Bluey and this band of musicians for many years; and they continue to amaze me with their dynamic sound. The refreshing brand of music that Incognito continues to create is a real delight and totally overshadows the roster of manufactured faddish so-called performers currently getting radio airplay. A must have for your Incognito CD collection!

Love it.......2002-08-22

I have three CDs by Incognito: Tribes, Vibes & Scribes, Positivity, and 100 Degrees and Rising, and this is my favorite of the three. For some reason, "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing" is my absolute favorite track...it gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. :)

Get up to get down and Jam!.......2001-03-28

Well, let me tell you that this cd is a star bright and prue delight...so good that you want to hold on tight all thru the night..cause you might lose yourself in the sweet harmony of incognito! I first brought this cd after listen to Incognito's greatest hit's(Japan Import version) which of the meter also,I fell in love with "Change" and "Colibri&quot...

It makes you want to holla like Mavin Gaye!

If you into real R&B Please pick up this cd!

Later.........

Oh yeah to learn about this wonderful group check out Incognito's website at icognito.uk.org And maysa's website at maysa.com

You won't regret it! Peace

Something's lost in the translation of Incognito's "Scribes".......2000-08-15

After some respectable but unremarkable work in the late eighties, British jazz/funk/soul outfit made a wise move in the early nineties with the hiring of vocalist Maysa Leak. Her rich vocals have a honey-colored tone all their own, and she skillfully manages to sound emotionally powerful while maintaining a silky-smooth nuance that makes it all sound effortless. Unfortunately, the material on hand for her Incognito debut, 1993's "Tribes Vibes & Scribes," shows there was still room for improvement.

The most noticeable problem is Leak's lack of elbow room. She's only featured on five tracks, and while she handles them beautifully they don't use her talents to their full potential. The scatted samba "Colibri" is enjoyable, but the repetitive vocal runs leave Maysa the chance to do little else but go through the motions. "Change" is a midtempo delight, featuring lush strings and a trademark Incognito drum lick behind Leak's masterful vocal, but "I Love What You Do for Me" is so strikingly similar it's a surprise some sort of production tooling wasn't attempted. "River of My Dreams" gets off to a dreamy a capella start, but ends up robbed at a length of barely more than a minute.

Of course, this wouldn't be as obvious if the instrumental material were stronger. And while the Yellowjackets-flavored "Magnetic Ocean" and the slinky "Tribal Vibes" deliver, fare like "Closer to the Feeling" and "Pyramids" sound like watered-down Brand New Heavies, closer to the realm of smooth-jazz than the funk that is obviously being attempted. But Maysa's fifth track is worth the price of admission all on its own: her flawless and spirited vocal take a Latin-flavored, horn-laden rendition of Stevie Wonder's "Don't You Worry Bout a Thing" to the realm of brilliance, making for one of the band's most memorable moments.

Tracks:

Colibri
Change
River In My Dreams
Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing
Magnetic Ocean
I Love What You Do For Me
Closer To The Feeling
L' Arc En Ciel De Miles
Need To Know
Pyramids
Tribal Vibes
Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing (Club Mix) (Bonus Track)
Change (Tower Block Mix) (Bonus Track)
Keep The Promise (Bonus Track)
Collibri (Remix) (Bonus Track)
Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing (Frankie Foncett Mix) (Bonus Track)

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Jazz Music

Jazz Music