Bluey, of Incognito, talks Surreal and more

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Mention the name Incognito to your average soul fan— especially in Atlanta — and you’ll undoubtedly get a big, cheesy grin in response.

The UK-based band — helmed by musician/producer/songwriter Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick — has been making some of the genre’s most beloved songs since hitting the scene in 1980.

And these cats have never been the type to rest on their laurels; where some bands with that kind of history are content to just coast on catalog material, Bluey & Co. have seemingly never stopped pumping out new music (including remixed songs by other artists). In fact, the band’s latest CD, Surreal, hits stores Tues., March 27 (featuring the first single “Goodbye to Yesterday”).

On top of that, not too long after the new project drops, the band hits the road again on another worldwide tour — making a two-night stop in Atlanta on April 6 and 7.

But before Incognito kicks off on a musical globe trot, we checked in with Bluey via telephone and got the lowdown about the new CD and lots more.

Creative Loafing: What’s the concept behind your latest album?

Bluey: Well this album marks a new beginning for me … it feels like the end of a chapter and the beginning of another one. And that’s because of what happened on the last album. The last album, Transatlantic RPM, allowed me to work with some people that were really at the top of the music echelon — the people that I listened to, you know, like Chaka Khan, Leon Ware … I really felt that maybe from here on is the time to develop young people — 18, 20 year olds … and work with the touring band closer and even allow myself to write with other people. It marked a change with Incognito. And I think because of that the album has its own sound.

Was your desire to work with younger musicians based on a feeling that younger generations weren’t listening to the kind of music you create?