Incognito were originally formed by Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick and Paul "Tubbs" Williams in 1979. Both were the original members of the late-'70s disco-funk group Light of the World.
Incognito debuted with the single "Parisienne Girl" and released the 1981 LP 'Jazz Funk'. Throughout the 80's Bluey continued to write material for his group, even while working with Maxi Priest, Total Contrast, Steven Dante and others. By the beginning of the 1990s, DJ legend and early Incognito fan Gilles Peterson had founded the Talkin' Loud label and he made Incognito one of his first signings. The 1991 single "Always There" (with vocals by Jocelyn Brown) became a Top Ten hit as part of Britain's booming acid jazz scene, prompting the release of Incognito's official second album "Inside Life".
In 1992 they released Tribes, Vibes and Scribes. Bluey added American vocalist Maysa Leak. and cover of Stevie Wonder's "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing" became another hit for the band. The album ascended Britain's pop charts and went on to feature in the America's contemporary jazz charts. The third album, "Positivity" in 1993 became the group's biggest album success, with much attention across Europe as well as Britain. That album also spawned "Deep Waters" which would become their biggest radio hit in the USA to date!
The band toured relentlessly and Pamela Anderson and Joy Malcolm were brought in as featured vocalists on their 1995 world-wide hit album 100° and Rising. Leak returned though... appearing on the following year's luscious and warm sounding "Beneath the Surface".
Incognito later expanded their discography with 1996's Remixed which featured the dons of the dance scene Masters At Work, David Morales, Roger Sanchez and Pete Rock, 1998's Tokyo Live, and 1999's No Time Like the Future which featured the hit "Nights Over Egypt". The group's next two albums were again made without Leak, 2001's Life Stranger Than Fiction and 2003's Dome / Edel debut Who Needs Love, which featured Brazilian vocalist Ed Motta, Joy Rose & Kelly Sae.
More releases on Dome records followed with Adventures in Black Sunshine In 2004 featuring the late George Duke on the cut "Minding My Business". The Aptly named eleventh album "Eleven" featuring Imaani and Tony Momrelle followed in 2005. Bees + Flowers + Things appeared at the end of 2006. The album was a mix of cover versions along with stripped down re-recordings of four Incognito classics.
In 2008, Tales from the Beach and More Tales Remixed were released.
In 2010 they issued two albums: Live in London: The 30th Anniversary Concert and the studio set Transatlantic R.P.M., featuring guest appearances by Chaka Khan, Mario Biondi, Leon Ware, Al McKay, Christian Urich from Tortured Soul, Ursula Rucker, and Maysa among others. A cover of the classic Boz Scaggs "Lowdown" saw the band international status grow more and more popular. "Surreal" in 2012, once again the band took on a fresh direction on an old musical theme and provided their fans with unforgettable live shows.
The band celebrated its 45th birthday in 2024 and the release of their 19th studio album in 2023.