Kroi, the acclaimed Japanese instrumental group, has unveiled “Kinetic,” their first novel song of 2026, a track marked by a significant collaboration with legendary British acid jazz musician Bluey, founder of the iconic group Incognito. The partnership, born from a long-held admiration of Kroi’s members for Incognito’s perform, represents a pivotal moment for the Japanese ensemble as they continue to evolve their sound. The creation of “Kinetic” wasn’t simply a studio session; it was a cultural exchange, a meeting of musical minds that blossomed into a genuine friendship, as detailed in a recent conversation with both artists.
The seeds of this collaboration were sown during Kroi’s performance at The Great Escape festival last year. As the band considered recording options while touring in London, a bold idea emerged: to work directly with Bluey. “I shot my shot and said ‘I wish to work with Bluey!’” recalled Kroi’s Uchida. “I figured it would be impossible, but he accepted.” For Uchida and the rest of Kroi, Incognito wasn’t just a musical influence; it was foundational. “They’re what got me into music in the first place,” Uchida explained, emphasizing the deeply personal connection that fueled their request.
A Shared Language Beyond Words
The recording process itself unfolded over three days in London, but the connection between the artists extended far beyond the studio walls. Bluey made a point of meeting Kroi at a local café each morning, a gesture that quickly fostered a sense of camaraderie. “Before they arrived, I was already at the café, standing there waiting for them,” Bluey recounted. “My friend asked me ‘How are you going to know it’s them?’ I said ‘I think I’ll know when their car gets here.’ So the car arrives, and they get out, and they look like characters right out of an anime (laughs). We didn’t go straight into the studio, but first went to a café, and we hit it off right away.”
This informal setting proved crucial in building trust and understanding. While language barriers existed – not all members of Kroi are fluent English speakers – the shared passion for music transcended those limitations. “Not everyone in the band speaks English, but we all broke out in laughs and smiles,” Uchida said. “When that happened, I truly understood that the energy that comes from music really shapes and guides people.” The band members each had unique memories of the initial meeting. Masuda, Kroi’s drummer, admitted to initial nervousness, but Bluey immediately put him at ease by ordering sandwiches for everyone. Hasebe, the guitarist, shared a particularly poignant moment, recalling how he first encountered Incognito through his guitar teacher, learning “Colibri” as a foundational exercise. He found himself playing in Bluey’s own studio, “Colibri Sound Recorders,” a full-circle moment that underscored the significance of the collaboration.
Finding Transparency in the Studio
Beyond the personal connection, the technical aspects of the collaboration were equally important. Bluey emphasized the role of engineer Mo Hausler in creating a transparent and collaborative studio environment. “When you work with musicians like them, who’ve got really sharp, unique vibes, you need an engineer with a feeling of transparency,” Bluey explained. “Transparency about whether everything’s being recorded in full, whether you’re spending too much time on it, whether you’re able to quickly record the best sounds. That transparency really brought out what we did when we played together.”
The resulting track, “Kinetic,” reflects this synergy. Uchida described it as a fusion of Kroi’s established sound with the distinctive flavor of Incognito. “Right, it has a bit of an Incognito sound to it, but we were the ones who wrote and played the music, so the song’s sound is really a fusion of the Kroi and Incognito sounds, which is great.” Bluey agreed, emphasizing that his role was to facilitate and enhance Kroi’s existing strengths. “I’m glad to have been part of their journey. But I’m just one little part of it. The biggest part is that they’re all wonderful musicians in their own rights, and they were able to come together to discover the shared sound of Kroi.”
A Unique Sonic Signature
A particularly striking element of “Kinetic” is the song’s opening, which features a vocal introduction by Bluey himself. This was a spontaneous addition, born from a moment in the studio. “Bluey was recording the backing chorus, and we got him to record that intro for us on short notice,” Uchida explained. Bluey saw it as an opportunity to acknowledge the collaboration and introduce Kroi to his audience. “They seemed so happy, I was truly glad to be able to be involved in the process. That’s why I asked for them to let me introduce myself, for my own audience. What we’re doing right now isn’t just the work we did in the studio. We’ve started something that’s going to maintain on going. I want Incognito fans around the world know that I’ve worked with Kroi. I was glad to be able to start the track by saying ‘Bluey from Incognito here.’ That was my way of saying ‘Thanks.’”
The collaboration, according to all involved, was about more than just creating a song; it was about building a lasting connection. Uchida spoke of the “aura of love” surrounding Bluey, and how it drew everyone together. “We were together with Bluey for three full days, communicating a lot like this. And I felt so much love around Bluey. João (João Caetano), who laid down some percussion, also had a lot of love and respect for Bluey, so we got along really well. Everyone was drawn in by that aura of love. He attracts some truly wonderful performers, and I’m glad that we were able to number among them.”
Bluey, with a touch of humor, even joked about the band resembling characters from anime, a playful observation that highlighted the cultural exchange at the heart of the project.
The success of “Kinetic” and the positive experience of this collaboration suggest a promising future for both Kroi and Incognito. The artists have expressed a desire to continue exploring creative avenues together, hinting at potential future projects. For now, fans can enjoy “Kinetic,” a testament to the power of musical connection and the beauty of cross-cultural collaboration. The song is available on major streaming platforms, including YouTube.
As Kroi continues to tour and promote “Kinetic,” their next scheduled performance is at the Tokyo Jazz Festival in November, where they are expected to perform the new track live for the first time. We encourage readers to share their thoughts on this exciting collaboration in the comments below.
