Almost 4 years on from the from the release of their last album, the multi platinum, no 1 ?Funk Odyssey? (his best selling UK album since Travelling Without Moving), Jay Kay and his band return with their eagerly anticipat... more »ed 6th studio album, entitled ?Dynamite?. Dynamite? and it is - is set to further enhance Jamiroquai?s reputation as one of the UK?s most successful exports of the last decade and more, with over twenty million worldwide album sales to date. ?Dynamite? is also Jamiroquai?s most accomplished and diverse work to date, with new co-producer Mike Spencer at the controls with Kay, it encompasses fantastic song writing and plenty of floor filling classics-in-waiting. Lead single ?Feels Just Like It Should?, written by Jay and sees Jamiroquai at their harder edged, groove based, funking best, with Jay?s own vocodered vocals providing the fuzz bass line. Sony BMG. 2005.« less
Almost 4 years on from the from the release of their last album, the multi platinum, no 1 ?Funk Odyssey? (his best selling UK album since Travelling Without Moving), Jay Kay and his band return with their eagerly anticipated 6th studio album, entitled ?Dynamite?. Dynamite? and it is - is set to further enhance Jamiroquai?s reputation as one of the UK?s most successful exports of the last decade and more, with over twenty million worldwide album sales to date. ?Dynamite? is also Jamiroquai?s most accomplished and diverse work to date, with new co-producer Mike Spencer at the controls with Kay, it encompasses fantastic song writing and plenty of floor filling classics-in-waiting. Lead single ?Feels Just Like It Should?, written by Jay and sees Jamiroquai at their harder edged, groove based, funking best, with Jay?s own vocodered vocals providing the fuzz bass line. Sony BMG. 2005.
CD Reviews
More Disco Than Acid
M. Gabor | 06/21/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This review will be part CD review and part concert review as i've just seen them last night in Budapest at their first gig of the summer.
The CD resembles a lot to 'A Funk Odyssey' which wouldn't necessarily be bad news, but the tracks are - in my opinion - less catchy and the jazzy moments have completely disappeared. I miss the horns of the first 3 albums and while the songs themselves are quality, i just couldn't find those little sounds, tone settings, groovy bass lines or smooth synth chords that made the other albums stand out. My favourite track is 'Seven days in Sunny June' which has some excellent moments, but overall, there aren't really any standout songs.
As for the concert yesterday, it was a smash with good sound settings and great atmosphere. Surprisingly, they played a lot from the earlier albums (without horns). Those of You who are lucky to have Jamiroquai pay a visit should expect the following (based on last night's set):Canned Heat, Space Cowboy, Cosmic Girl, Revolution, Little L., Mr. Moon, Blow My Mind (instr.), Too Young to Die, Emergency on Planet Earth, Feels Like It Should, Dynamite, Black Devil Car, Seven Days in Sunny June, Deeper Underground.
The songs from the new album sound better live than on the disc, which makes it even more worthwile to buy them tickets.
"
A welcome return to form
Frank antz | UK | 06/30/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album is as good as Travelling Without Moving. Perhaps better. The funky grooves are definitely back. There are some strong tracks ...Starchild, World That He Wants, Seven Days, Give Hate A Chance...virtually every one is great. Usually I find one stinker I really can't stand but everything on Dynamite oozes class and good songwriting. The import and UK release has the additional track Time Won't Wait which is worth the extra cash alone. Why they decided to leave it off the US and European release baffles me as its a fantastic piece. I have all the Jamiroquai albums and this has turned into one of my favourite after spinning it for just 2 weeks. Jay Kay may be the bad lad the music industry loves to hate but they can't deny the boy has talent. The album could do with a good jazzy instrumental (a la Roy Ayers) but that's just nitpicking. Excellent."
Highly explosive!!
Nse Ette | Lagos, Nigeria | 12/03/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"`Dynamite' by UK group Jamiroquai lives up to its title. Right from the fuzzy bassline of the retro funk opening track `Feels just like it should', the funk/disco `Dynamite' with a Chic-like bassline, the retro disco sound of `(Don't) give hate a chance' with its why can't we live together sentiment, it is largely geared to get you exploding on the dancefloor.
Other standouts include `Time won't wait' a disco tune urging one to make something of one's dreams as time won't wait for you (available on the UK version), the midtempo folk/funk of `Seven days in sunny June', and the funk/disco of `Starchild'.
Not everything is upbeat though, there's the lilting horn drenched jazzy `Talullah' and the melodramatic piano ballad `World that he wants'.
There's the rock/pop `Black devil car' with a gentle poppy intro leading to raging electric guitars in the chorus. Great!
With their blend of funk/disco/jazz/soul, Jamiroquai's music has always evoked a faint image of 70s Stevie Wonder, and this album is no different. Brilliant!
"
Disappointed, yet still can't stop listening
W. S. Dallavo | L.A., CA | 08/10/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Whether you'll be let down as well depends on which Jamiroquai you are expecting. If you're looking for the sweet soul of "Emergency on Planet Earth", "Space Cowboy" or "Travelling Without Moving", this ain't it. But if your favorite Jamiroquai stuff is the more uptempo dance-flavored jams of "Funk Odyssey" etc, then you'll like this. Most of the songs are disco/synth dance tracks designed to rock a dance floor, but with not much soul sensibility at all. There are only two songs that would sound at home on any of Jamiroroquai's earlier albums, "7 Days" and "Talullah". Even though "Talullah" resorts to cliched "my girl is leaving on a jet plane and I've got to get her back" lryics, I've probably listened to it 20 times today because the music is DOPE. Jay just has a way of writing songs that you can't get enough of no matter how many times you hit rewind. If you are just getting hip to Jamiroquai, don't start your collection with this album. But if you are a long-time fan, there is enough here to make it a worthwhile purchase (Americans should wait for the U.S. release and pay the lower price - there is nothing here you can't wait a few weeks for). Even though the album is not nearly what I'd hoped for or expected, it will still dominate my CD changer for a while. Dude is ridiculously talented and still hasn't gotten his due."
Another Great Release From Retro Master Jay Kay
Kirk Lott | adrift on the seas of life | 09/26/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Jamiroquai and frontman Jay Kay return with another great collection of funky 70s meets modern dance grooves, despite the loss of the ultra-talented keyboardist and composer Toby Smith.
On their sixth studio album, Jamiroquai returns somewhat to its funky 70s roots, after the ultra modern polish of "A Funk Odyssey."
If you're new to Jamiroquai, it's got a hip hint of 70s Stevie Wonder but with a thoroughly modern, unabashedly joyful, and gotta-dance club beats.
Highlights include the slinky title track, the great mellow "Seven Days in Sunny June," the funky wah-wah groove of "Starchild," and the power disco of "Don't Give Hate a Chance."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1