Down to the Bone - From Manhattan to Staten

Down to the Bone is an acid jazz group led by DJ Stuart Wade, who formed the band with Chris Morgans (who has now left) in 1996. The group is very popular in the UK, where they are "hailed as the kings of UK jazz groove." Their music is a mix of funk and jazz.

Down to the Bone is unique in that the leader, Stuart Wade, does not play any instruments at all. Instead, Wade uses a dictaphone to hum tunes into, which are then recorded by the band (whose members constantly change).

From Manhattan to Staten is the 1997 debut album from the British band.

1. Staten Island Groove
2. Brooklyn Heights
3. Savour the Flavour
4. Muesli Brown
5. Yo Mama's So Phat
6. Touch of Voodoo
7. 17 Mile Drive
8. Carlito's Way
9. 3 Days in Manhattan
10. On the Corner of Darcy Street

Down to the Bone's Website

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Incognito - Beneath the Surface

Incognito's "Beneath the Surface" is a wonderful set of smooth/acid jazz at its best. Maysa returns on this effort after being away on the "100 Degree and Rising" set and it's a welcomed return. Her vocals range from strong (Out of the Storm), to tender (Shades of Blue, Misunderstood), to sensual (All that You Want Me to Be). This effort showcases what a wonderful vocalist Maysa is and how talented Bluey is in bringing the music and the voice together.

1. Solar Fire
2. Labour Of Love
3. Beneath The Surface
4. Shade Of Blue
5. Without You
6. Misunderstood
7. Hold On To Me
8. Living Against The River
9. She Wears Black
10. Fountain Of Life
11. Out Of The Storm
12. Dark Side Of The Cog
13. All That You Want Me To Be
14. Sunchild

Incognito's Website

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Dodge City Productions - Steppin' Up and Out

Dodge City Productions (DCP) were a British hip hop/Acid jazz group based in London formed by IG Culture (real name Ian Grant) and DJ Dodge (real name Roger Drakes). They were one of the leaders of the Acid Jazz movement, and also received much acclaim and success for their remixes, usually done as "City Lick". The group split in the early 1990s, and both members went to have further success in the music industry as solo artists.

1. Unleash Your Love
2. Together
3. As Long As We're Around
4. What Colour My Life Is
5. Steppin' Up And Out
6. Road In Front Of Me
7. Ain't Going For That
8. Jus' Cool
9. Young Life (Reminisce)
10. Understand This
11. People (Come On)
12. Music Is Music
13. Love Power (Heart Mind Soul Body)
14. Slow Jam

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Heroes of UK Hip Hop's DCP page
Discogs DCP page
DJ Dodge's home page

Dodge City Productions - As Long as Were Around' Video

Debut Video From The U.K. Jazz Rap Duo Dodge City Productions From Their 1993 Debut Album 'Steppin Up And Out. Dj Dodge And I.G. Culture

Incognito Joins Heads Up Label For 'Tales From The Beach'

From cfrb.com

British neo-soul and acid jazz group Incognito have signed a new recording contract with U.S. label Heads Up International. The group, led by guitarist and producer Bluey Maunick, will release their new CD, Tales From The Beach, on June 24th.

"I'm pleased to be part of a team that will let me do what I do best, and see my music for what it is," said Maunick. "Heads Up is a label that understands the worlds of jazz, soul and R&B, and how they all fit together."

While the Incognito lineup has changed over the years, the new album will once again feature the talents of drummer Richard Bailey, bassist Francis Hylton, keyboardist Matt Cooper, and vocalists Tony Momrelle, Joy Rose and Imaani.

The title of the new CD, Tales From The Beach, is drawn for Maunick's experiences growing up in on the African coastal island of Mauritius.

"When I was a kid, my first taste of music came from the beaches," he says. "I spent a lot of time listening to the hotel bands, or the bands playing around the bonfires and cookouts. It's a small island, so there were beaches everywhere. I was always watching live musicians play. So for inspiration for this album, I went back to various beaches around the world -- in Italy, Indonesia and elsewhere -- and just let the music flow."

Incognito's last CD release was 2006's Bees + Things + Flowers, which featured covers of four of their own past hits as well as versions of tunes by Earth, Wind & Fire, America, Roy Ayers, and others.