By Bill Vaughan
Entertainment Writer
United Kingdom groove-master Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick, the creative force behind Incognito, the preeminent funk/jazz/soul/dance outfit in the world, is celebrating the group’s 44th anniversary and 19th studio album with the release of “Into You” now available on all platforms.
Bluey, the “acid jazz” movement pioneer who has collaborated with a who’s who list in music including James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan and Leon Ware, states, “I have always made music that reflects my journey and influences. I am pleased to be releasing yet another Incognito album for Shanachie. I’ve had a smile on my face throughout this writing and recording process of ‘Into You.’ Musically and creatively, it’s been a joyful journey.”
Recorded, mixed and mastered mainly at Bluey’s studio (Colibri Sound Recorders) in the east end of London by his co-producer and engineer Mo Hausler, the album features numerous collaborations and tracks such as the mainly instrumental track and first single “Back On The Beach,” recorded as a thank you for the huge U.S. smooth jazz community that Incognito plays to year after year.
At a time when the world is so divided it is nice to know that music is still one of the few things people can agree on and that has the power to unite us. As 2024 U.S. tour dates are being confirmed, Bluey confirms: “I’m a man on a mission and music is my only weapon.”
HER STORY: Independent production company Crazy Legs Features has inked a deal to turn Mayte Garcia’s bestselling book “The Most Beautiful: My Life with Prince” into a scripted biopic feature film.
The book’s title is inspired by the hit song Prince wrote about their legendary love story that started backstage at a concert, developed into an artistic friendship that blossomed into a romance, thrived as a fairytale from their wedding day, and then struggled due to the devastating losses that ultimately ended their marriage.
“This film will provide an intimate look at the man I loved, our life together, and his lasting influence,” Garcia said.
CLIPPETTES: Roy Hargrove’s “The Love Suite: In Mahogany,” a never-before-heard, one-time live performance of an original Hargrove commission is now available on all digital streaming platforms. This marks the late-trumpeter’s second album release since his death in 2018 …
John Malkovich is in “The Movie Critic” at The Orpheum Oct. 20 with jazz being represented by The Bad Plus and Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog at Teragram Ballroom …
Two-night stands begin by Pete Escovedo & Family at Catalina Jazz Club, Ramy Youssef at the Regent Theater, Little Feat at Theatre at Ace Hotel, and Jackson Browne at the Pantages Theatre …
Taste of Soul with Celebrity Soul Chair Tiffany Haddish comes to Crenshaw Boulevard Oct. 21 with The Whispers, The Delfonics, Switch, Canton Jones, MAJOR, DW3, Mike Phillips, October London, Christian Keyes, and an award presentation to Johnny Gill …
Other options include a late afternoon hybrid set by DJ Carl Cox at Naud Street, Ruthie Foster at The Nimoy, and comic Zainab Johnson at The Wallis …
In addition, Will Ferrell brings a second edition of “Best Night of Your Life” benefiting Cancer for College to the Greek Theatre with a star-studded lineup including Roy Wood Jr., Joy Koy, Maya Rudolph, Jon Stewart, Cindy Blackman Santana, Jack Black and more …
Wu-Tang Clan & Nas: NY State Of Mind Tour with special guests De La Soul travels to Highland’s Yaamava’ Theater on Oct. 22, as SZA headlines the first of two nights at Crypto.com Arena, and Anoushka Shankar plays sitar with her quartet at The Soraya …
NoCap’s The Birdnest Tour comes to the Belasco Theater Oct. 23, as Ziwe kicks off three nights at Largo …
On Oct. 24, Marla Gibbs will be honored with an evening of comedy, music and art hosted by Bill Bellamy with Marsha Warfield at Catalina Bar & Grill …
Meanwhile, Jorja Smith is singing at Theatre at Ace Hotel, Larry Goldings “Tap + Jazz + Soul” is staged at Vibrato Grill & Jazz, KennyHoopla plays the Fonda Theatre, country star Marty Stuart brings his band to The Roxy, and Nikki Glaspie & The Homies jam at The Mint …
The Grammy Museum presents An Evening with War Celebrating The 50th Anniversary of “The World Is a Ghetto” on Oct. 25. A conversation and performance not to be missed …
The date also finds London R&B singer Sampha’s Satellite Business Tour at the Palladium, Americana roots singer Dom Flemons at the Wallis Center, and comedian Michael Yo at the Hollywood Improv …
Bluesman Christone “Kingfish” Ingram stops Oct. 26 at the Grammy Museum to discuss the release of his latest album “Live In London” followed by a performance. Also, Sheena Easton is at Pepperdine’s Smothers Theatre, Christopher Cross is at the Saban Theatre, and Dave Mason is at the Coach House.
TASTY QUIP: “You want to mess with some dude that’s your son’s friend? As trifling as that may seem in people’s eyes, that’s your damn business. You want to break up with your husband and all of this stuff? That’s your damn business. But this public emasculation needs to stop. Jada, all you’re doing is elevating the level of vitriol coming your way. Because it don’t matter what you say. There’s nothing you can say to a man to justify what you have done to Will Smith. Every time I see Jada Pinkett Smith talk about Will Smith, I cringe. We kings. We ain’t here like to be treated like that.” – STEPHEN A. SMITH on his self-titled YouTube podcast
TC ON TV: Oct. 20 – “Silver Dollar Road” (Prime Video): Documentarian Raoul Peck (“I Am Not Your Negro”) tells the story of a Black North Carolina family’s fight to hold on to generational land. “Big Mouth” (Netflix): Megan Thee Stallion, Lupita Nyong’o, Zazie Beetz, Padma Lakshmi, Billy Porter, Rosie Perez, Brian Tyree Henry, Randall Park, Thandiwe Newton and more add their voices to the edgy animated comedy’s seventh season. “Old Dads” (Netflix): Bill Burr is writer, director and star of this farce with Bokeem Woodbine and Bobby Cannavale. “If You Were The Last” (Peacock): A rom com with Anthony Mackie, Zao Chao and Natalie Morales. “Next at Kennedy Center” (PBS): “Embracing Duality: Modern Indigenous Cultures” explores the impact and evolution of indigenous performing arts cultures with electronic music pioneers The Halluci Nation, R&B artist Martha Redbone and performance artist Ty Defoe. “The Tonight Show” (NBC): 2 Chainz & Lil Wayne, Keith Richards, Canelo Álvarez
Oct. 21 – “iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina Livestream” (Hulu): The 10th annual concert event celebrating the power of Latin music in popular culture returns with a star-studded slate of performances from Ricardo Montaner, Fonseca, Servando y Florentino, Luis Figueroa, Gale, Menudo and Corazón Award recipient Chayanne. “NFL Icons” (MGM+): Jim Brown “Saturday Night Live” (NBC): Bad Bunny
Oct. 22 – “Delicious Miss Brown” (Food): “Wine and Dine” “Fear The Walking Dead” (AMC): The final episodes air. “AKA Mr. Chow” (HBO): A vibrant portrait of legendary multi-hyphenate artist, actor and famed restaurateur Michael Chow.
Oct. 23 – “The Daily Show” (Comedy): Desus Nice guest hosts for the week sans former partner The Kid Mero.
Oct. 24 – “Milli Vanilli” (Paramount+): There is good buzz on this new feature-length documentary that tells the story of Robert Pilatus and Fabrice Morvan, aka Rob and Fab, and the scandal which plagued their career.
Oct. 25 – “Life On Our Planet” (Netflix): Morgan Freeman narrates this earthly docuseries from Stephen Spielberg and the team behind “Our Planet.” “The Challenge” (MTV): The 39th season brings a new spin with all non-champions and newcomers including Chandler from “Big Brother” famed group “The Cookout.”
Oct. 26 – “The Despaired” (BET+): Denise Boutte (“Napa Ever After“), Drew Sidora (“Real Housewives of Atlanta”), and TC Carson (“Living Single”) are leads in this spooky tale of resurrection. “Stay Out” (BET+): Black magic galore in this horror flick.
END QUOTE: “As long as you take every opportunity to learn more about yourself and fall more in love with yourself every day, you’re doing good.” – ZENDAYA
As featured in the Los Angeles Wave and Independent, Tasty Clips is one of the leading entertainment columns in the nation, serving nearly one million weekly readers. Bill Vaughan may be reached at tastyclips@yahoo.com, via Twitter @tastyclips, or Instagram @tasty_clips.
