Search - Jamiroquai :: Funk Odyssey (Bonus CD)

The Last Jamiroquai Album That I Really Got Into!!---Althoug

MUZIK4THAPEOPLE!! | Seattle & San Diego | 07/19/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This was the last album that really enjoyed all the way through by Jamiroquai.

It was somewhat of a return to the funky, retro-70's jazz-funk fusion with live

instrumentation which made Jamiroquai, The Brand New Heavies, and other lesser acts

which made up London's early 90's "Acid Jazz" scene such a breath of fresh air for me

to the dismal music that was coming out in the U.S. (with the exception

of a few artists/genres).

Jamiroquai's 1992-2001 works are my favorites, with the exception of "Synkronized",

which to my ears, was nothing more than regurgitated not-even-above-average disco from

the late 70's with not much musical invention added in to make it their own statement!

"A Funk Odysey" utilizes what made their early stuff hot, but also incorporated

newer more electronic sounds that came up from the European dance clubs of the

late 90's and early 2000's. Missing from this project in a big way is the amazing

basswork of Stuart Zender, who was very integral in making their early work so strong!

I stayed miffed at Jay-Kay for along time for letting Zender go and boycotted

Jamiroquai's music for a year and a half!--I wouldn't listen to it

or even watch the videos! (That's why I took away 1-star!)

The not watching the videos part wasn't hard, since I live in the U.S. where

their music was never fully embraced in the way it was in Europe.

Outside of a small but dedicated following here in the states, they have never

known big chart success, sold out arenas & stadiums,

heavy rotation air or video play like in the UK and abroad.



Having said all of that, this album was pretty good and the highlights

are songs like: "Little L", "Love Foolosophy", "This Corner Of The World",

"Black Crow", "Feels So Good", "You Give Me Something", "Twenty-Zero One"

and "Picture My Life". There was a copyright dispute regarding a sample used in the

original version of "Main Vein", so they re-released a version without the sample

that is featured on later prints of this CD.

Overall, it's well worth a download or a purchase to add to your collection."