Customer Reviews
Best Yet? - By: JFK, 22 Jul 2001 
This is the latest releasein the amazing career, of for me, the finest Jazz-funk band ever assembled. Once again you will be blown away by the superb production of all YES all 14 tracks on this album. Highlights are the opening "stay mine" with the now familiar Incognito style that is instantly recognisable yet totally individual. "Worlds Collide" & Castles In The Air" are masterpieces of soul, jazz fusing with orchestration & stunning vocal arrangements leaving you wanting more.............. "Rivers Runnin' Black" is the mainly instrumental track that is the benchmark of all Incognito albums & is currently getting airplay courtesy of "Jazz FM". For me however, the ultimate track is the closing title "Down to Earth" this starts with a gentle intro & soon starts into a driving bass & funk rhythm with the wonderful vocal power of Sarah Brown. Just when you think it can't get any betterin come the "Roy Ayers" vibes to totally blow you away. Over the top? Don't you believe it........Enjoy.
Carl W. 21 July 2001
Incognito meet & greet contemporary R&B.... - By: , 01 Jul 2001 
Five (!) new members on vocals - Sarah Brown, Dianna Joseph, Kelli Sae, Xavier Barnett & Tony Momrelle feature on this latest offering from the Incognito "Family".
The Album "Life, Stranger Than Fiction" contains 14 tracks (just over 71 minutes) of well crafted Acid-jazz-soul-funk which are blended with more than a smattering of contemporary 'Top 40 chart R&B'.
The opening track "Stay Mine" is about what Incognito does best - catchy melody with solid lyric & instrument arrangement. "Bring you Down" introduces Dianna Joseph - a definite plus on this album - on lead vocals. Band leader 'Bluey' (Guitar), Richard Bailey (Drums) & Julian Crampton (Bass) provide the firm foundation.
"Cut It Loose" contains a strong anti-drug message & features the excellent Dianna Joseph on lead Vocals. "There Will Come A Day" blends Acid-Jazz, contemporary R&B & Gospel flavours. This track features all 5 vocalistsin tandem & the lyric lead-in to the chorus - 'Make a wish upon a star' is beautiful - One of my favorite tracks.
"Castles In The Air" is let down by some very weak lyrics, which is a shame because overall the music is well performed - this may have worked better as an instrumental. In contrast, "Rivers Running Black" is all that "Castles.." should have been - The Incognito horns are really given an opportunity to shine. "Got to Know" reminds me of Rose Royce with a Grace Jones 'get up to my bumper baby...' flavour, but, with a serious 'give peace a chance' message.
Finally, the tracks "On The Road (Parts 1&2)" have their roots firmly fixedin a fusion of Latin-jazz (no bad thing) & feature a superb percussion section & The Incognito Horns. This should get your body swayingin time to the music!
Other contributions of note on this album are from the fine string section, led by Chris Tombling (Violin) & Anne Morfee who arranged & directed the strings on the Level 42 album "Forever Now".
Overall, a solid, well produced album wellin keeping with the 'Incognito' sound but with a new (?) R&B twist - a useful addition to the back-catalogue. I'm looking forward to seeing the new members at the one & only 'Live' UK datein London during July.
Mellow and admirable. - By: J. Willson, 21 Jun 2001 I bought this a few days ago & have had the melodies of this fine album running through my head ever since. For my money this is a solid cd & worth the time to sit & enjoy. Some fine melodies & excellent vocals from this group, keeping the struggling flame of acid-jazz fanned. When they get back from overseas I'm certainly checking out the first gig they do.
Fantasmorgastic - By: rwirtz@xs4all.nl, 13 Jun 2001 A wonderful piece of work. Incognito never ceases to amaze. Again, the tracks are a little different than the songs on the previous album, but they all come with that signature Incognito sound. Highlight of the album for me personally is Castles In The Air. As always there are no weak tracks, everything is of the same high standard & it is strange to me that they are not too popular. It seems that Incognito has a relatively small circle of lifelong devoted fans & followers, but yet they deserve so much more, because the entire band has the stage experience & real quality to be even better live. Everybody, just buy this CD ... it's totally worth it.
