Emergency On Planet Earth - Jamiroquai

Let's jump back. Back to a long time ago. It's the 'Revolution 1993', when we were 'Too Young To Die'. Yes, for those who can't remember, I am talking about Jamiroquai's first album: Emergency on Planet Earth. Their funky, jazz funky style with a 90s twist got us all grooving along. From their really old, really jazzy stuff, to their new, pretty drab disco music, although still good, Emergency on Planet Earth seems a great album, very appropriate at the moment. Perfect student music, if I ever heard it. Complaining about our screwed governments (true!) and how things could be better. And just look at Jay K's techni-colour dreamcoat ...

Yes, yes, so I used a corny pun for the title, but isn't that just the way of things these days? Well, whatever, it's time for another Excelle music review, and our good friend with the large headgear is the subject of today's discussion. But before I start, I should like to dedicate my opinion to the lad who got me into this artist in the first place - none other than my best mate Craig (craiggy_boy in some op writing circles). Indeed, he and partner in crime Louise (Squiggles on some sites) lavished much praise on me, so it's the least I can do to be nice to them :) Anyway, enough of the rear-kissing, time to get down to the real business - the ...

The heavily political, pro-environment lyrics of EoPE make for an unusually meaningful and cohesive album, and without there being any sense of repetition, there is never any doubt that the tracks hang together as one unified work. The long instrumental solos that occur throughout are seen by some as self-indulgent, but to me they are the outcome of a band daring to reveal its jazz/funk roots and they are central to the early Jamiroquai sound (also see my reviews of the other three albums). This goes hand-in-hand with their innovative and unpredictable harmonies, particularly noticeable on “Too Young To Die” – for me, their finest hour. Every ...