View Full Version : The Great Debate: Jamiroquai
The Hitman
16 Jul 2002, 12:15
For many people, the jury is still out on Jamiroquai. The lead singer wears funny hats; they have an obsession for electro-pop love songs; and there are no guitars in sight.
So what are your thoughts on them?
I'll stand up and confess that I'm a fan. Jamiroquai is the only band who can make me get up and dance while singing (sober, that is!). Their music is just so damn catchy and singable, and who can't resist clapping in Little L? I know I can't... ;)
While my favourite song is Cosmic Girl, and my favourites are from previous albums, Jamiroquai's latest outing - 2001: A Funk Odyssey - is a great work.
They're playing at Rod Laver Arena later in the year, and I'm very bloody tempted to get a ticket for missus and I.
Discuss! :D
The Hitman
Mcchawk
16 Jul 2002, 13:16
Originally posted by The Hitman
for missus and I.
Is she inflatable? ;)
Does she like footy boots? :p
Originally posted by The Hitman
They're playing at Rod Laver Arena later in the year, and I'm very bloody tempted to get a ticket for missus and I.
The Hitman
Sh#t kiddo - you're being a tad presumptious arent you?
BTW I personally love Jamiroquai - was interested to read a review calling it acid Jazz - I personally cant see the link - but wont argue ;)
Santos L Helper
16 Jul 2002, 13:25
Wouldn't go if you gave me a free ticket, although there will probably be a lot of fine looking chicks there and they could do a lot worse than meet me. :cool: ;)
Shinboners
16 Jul 2002, 15:04
Some good filmclips but however you want to describe his music (disco, jazz, funk), just put the word "-lite" after it and that sums it up.
Cosmic girl and Virtual Insanity were ok.
The rest is shyte.
gPhonque
16 Jul 2002, 18:26
Jamiroquai's first 2 albums (Emergency On Planet Earth & Return Of The Space Cowboy) are both wicked albums. Since then, they've just turned into another everyday dance-pop act. (although 'Virtual Insanity' off Travelling Without Moving is still a good song...)
As for the "Acid Jazz" thing, Jamiroquai were as much a part of that as anyone else in the early 90's. The term "Acid Jazz" is a bit misleading anyway. If i recall correctly, Acid Jazz were, and indeed still are, an English label pumping out 70s/90s style funk acts. (in particular, those who were bringing the "jazz" sound back into funk, which had been kind of been forgotten in the US due to Prince and rap/hiphop.) Mother Earth, The Brand New Heavies, Corduroy, Incognito, The Young Discipiles, Galliano etc were all connected to the Acid Jazz label. Mind you, there are some who say that Acid Jazz is indeed a style of music, and in a way, they'd be right.
Also, I'm fairly sure that Jamiroquai's first single before they signed to Sony and recorded 'Emergency On Planet Earth' was "When You Gonna Learn" which was released under the Acid Jazz label. (and ended up being the first song on Emergency...)
I was lucky enough to see them last time they came out at the Metro in Melbourne in '94. (i think it was 94) It's still one of the best shows i've ever seen.
I won't be going this time though as i prefer to see humans playing real funk and not DAT tapes. (and the fact that their/his last 3 albums have generally been big piles of smelly pop crap may have something to do with it as well.)
That said, it will still be a good show without doubt as they can play and he can perform. Although he doesn't even sing as well as he used to either! Call me fussy, picky, weird, whatever, but when i buy an album made by people who can actually play their instruments in a perfectly competent fashion, i like to actually hear an IN TUNE singer. (i'm not sure he was listening to the same album when he recorded "Synkronized"....)
The Hitman - there's guitars all over 99% of Jamiroquai songs so i'm not sure what you're on about there. :confused: ;)
Shinboners - i agree, although i wouldn't say that about their/his first 2 albums.
Stealth bomber
16 Jul 2002, 19:17
Still haven't made up my mind.
I'm a bit of an old hard core funk-disco nerd, and I believe Jamiroquai is the absolute best of any 70s throwbacks. I also have a great affinity for Stevie Wonder's albums of that period and think the mimicry in J.K's voice is at times amazing. From what I can tell, most of the instruments on the albums are live, so that scores points. The bass player is tasty.
On the other hand, I have heard that J.K. is an absolute tosspot completely in love with himself. The sister of Jamiroquai's engineer was a guest at my wedding and knows the guy personally. Things I have seen him quoted as saying and his actions in filmclips have done much to confirm that. So I'm put off.
And that voice, while being such a good Stevie soundalike, is really all over the place. He tends to go sharp.
sandeano
17 Jul 2002, 11:03
I'll just stick to listening to Stevie's "Innervisions" or Sly's "Fresh", instead of the cordial-mix that is Jamiroquai.
That's not to say that the lad aint of any chop. He's produced some handy little toe tappers. However due to the parlous state of current music, a 70s-clone is far better than most of what is being dished out at the moment.
Semi-liked the old stuff, semi-hate the new stuff.
Bloodstained Angel
17 Jul 2002, 17:31
He's fun and fluffy but serious funk afficinados will have already got tickets to George Clinton and the Parliament of Funk - Sydney and Melbourne July.
cheers
gPhonque
17 Jul 2002, 17:38
Originally posted by Bloodstained Angel
He's fun and fluffy but serious funk afficinados will have already got tickets to George Clinton and the Parliament of Funk - Sydney and Melbourne July.
Jamiroquai's old stuff is still cool.
Nobody can bag the first 2 albums.
I won't let them.
Oh, and i already have tickets to George Clinton. :)
Pieman7
17 Jul 2002, 18:14
A big pansy who likes to entertain little pansies.
Danny Chook Fan Club
17 Jul 2002, 18:20
Complete and utter sh|t.
Blues_Girl
17 Jul 2002, 18:27
I quite like his music but not sure whether I like it enough to actually go to the concert.
A poor imitation of the original....
Early Stevie Wonder
Shinboners
17 Jul 2002, 18:36
Originally posted by Bloodstained Angel
He's fun and fluffy but serious funk afficinados will have already got tickets to George Clinton and the Parliament of Funk - Sydney and Melbourne July.
And for the soul-disco kids, get your hands on "I'm A Good Woman". It's a series of compilation CDs (on Harmless Recordings) - up to volume 3 now. The subtitle "Funk classics from sassy soul singers" says it all.
Shinboners
17 Jul 2002, 18:37
Originally posted by hotpie
Early Stevie Wonder
And never forget, there is good Stevie and evil Stevie. :D
That's a reference to the novel "High Fidelity" for those who don't know
Richmondfan#1
17 Jul 2002, 19:41
They aren't bad. Definately make me sing. I thought of getting a ticket myself for when they're over here ... but then I though how expensive it would be and that I could spend that money elsewhere.
SydneyBomber
17 Jul 2002, 20:38
Originally posted by Shinboners
That's a reference to the novel "High Fidelity" for those who don't know
hehe - good one. I got it! I only saw the movie (for the first time) on the weekend.
Scary how so many of the people in it seemed sooo familiar!
Jamiroquai is ok. Older stuff IS better though.
And yes, he does sound like Stevie (stop trying to deny it Jay!)
gPhonque
17 Jul 2002, 20:51
Originally posted by SydneyBomber
Jamiroquai is ok. Older stuff IS better though.
And yes, he does sound like Stevie (stop trying to deny it Jay!)
Hehe. He's always sounded like Stevie.
In fact, the first time i heard Jamiroquai was on, of all places, Molly's Mellodrama on Hey Hey it's Saturday in about '93. (or whenever it was "Emergency..." came out) Molly played about 10secs of some white English Stevie Wonder-soundalike (it was the 'Too Young To Die' clip) and i was sold. I went and bought the album a few days later.
I still say the first 2 albums are two of the best funk albums ever made. Big deal that they weren't made by Stevie Wonder. They're still full of fantastic songs and they're still funky.
It's such a shame he had to get rich and get a (bigger) ego. :(
Dippers Donuts
18 Jul 2002, 00:24
Absolute crap.
Every song sounds the same.
"do do do do dooo...etc etc ad nauseaum..."
The_Flying_Egg
18 Jul 2002, 14:13
Rubbish. I've never heard a song of theirs that I thought was even decent
thommo16
18 Jul 2002, 14:18
Hey Hitters,
Guess what "Mad Dog" has listed on the AFL website as what he is listening to right now........yep thats right "A Funk Oddessy (spelling)
TheSheik
18 Jul 2002, 16:42
Jamiroquai is a poor man's Stevie Wonder, just like Tracey Chapman is a poor woman's Joan Armatrading.
Not worth two knobs of goats poop to be honest !!
I dont mind Jamiroquai but i wouldnt go and buy there albums.
Hawks_Fan
19 Jul 2002, 20:46
I like everything Jamiroquai does.
The Hitman
20 Jul 2002, 07:07
Originally posted by thommo16
Hey Hitters,
Guess what "Mad Dog" has listed on the AFL website as what he is listening to right now........yep thats right "A Funk Oddessy (spelling)
See, Mad Dog has taste! ;) Unlike you poor fools. :mad: :p
The Hitman