Jay Kay & co. are back. After five long years of silence, the British acid-jazz funk band Jamiroquai just released on their new album, Rock Dust Light Star.
The suspense has been intense: a few years ago, in 2006, Jamiroquai left Sony for Columbia Records and they haven’t produced any songs since then.
Moreover, the leader and media figure Jay Kay insinuated that he did not have the energy to be part of the band anymore.
On top of that, the band also announced on their website that they will be changing their sound a bit, to a more “organic, live sound.”
This mysterious statement, added to the fact that the album took more than two years to be produce, has made fans a bit skeptical, despite Jamiroquai’s enthusiasm about the new direction that they are heading.
But don’t get me wrong, Jamiroquai did not alienate themselves. Although the long-expected Rock Dust Light Star sounds a bit more electronic than their previous albums, fans will, without a doubt, still recognize the vibrant vintage classic sounding funk of Jamiroquai.
For their seventh studio album, recorded in Jay Kay’s home studio in Buckinghamshire and at Karma Studios in Thailand as well, Jamiroquai delivers 15 pretty sophisticated tracks out of 40 originally produced.
All of them combine groovy electric basslines and funky synth hooks, as always. “White Knuckle Ride”, the first taster of the album, plays it safe and familiar — it’s good for a chill-out session, but it’s far from being as good as “You give me something” or “Love Foolosophy.”
“She’s A Fast Persuader” is definitively the best track of the album, and also shows their more innovative and electro side.
“Blue Skies,” which is built upon a beautiful melody to create an emotive ballad, was also a funky track and avoids becoming overblown.
On the whole, however, the album is, sadly, still a little bit disappointing. Buffalo man wasn’t on top of its disco-funk this time.
But we will gladly forgive Jamiroquai for Rock Dust Light Star since the band has made so many great albums since its formation in 1992.
Besides, it is still bankable, as it was ranked seventh in the US charts this week. The video clips are also very cool, but we hope they’ll be more in tune next time.
