Emergency On Planet Earth

Jamiroquai being on here makes me worried that some other wishy washy nothingness like Toploader is going to show up. Suburban dinner party mom music

This was super cool. I had heard of these guys but was not familiar with their work, this was fun to listen to.

Me gusta

Locura de album y vibes inmaculadas. Me encantaron: blow your mind, too young to die, music of the mind. Todo temazos. El bajo es insane como el resto de la instrumental. Super divertido este album.

I like his voice and the music is really excellent but it's too uninteresting to me to hold my focus for an hour .

I really enjoyed the bass player, I remember listening to them a little bit back in high school but surprised it’s been so long since I have.

Of course I loved it! Great blend of soul, jazz and funk!

I like this album

Absolutely not. I do not own a hat big enough, or have participated in hacking a sack enough to listen to this.

Since Napoleon Dynamite was my only introduction to Jamiroquai, I was curious how this would go. But what a way to start this journey. The blend of funk/jazz with some amazing, provocative lyrics was not exactly what I expected, but I loved it. It was easy to just enjoy the music, with a fun variety of instruments, but also felt important to go listen to some songs again with the lyrics pulled up to see what the message was.

It goes on and on and becomes tedious. There are some neat parts, probably best tucked away on a random playlist.

As I started listening, got immediately captivated by the authenticity, the vibes, everything immaculate. Jazzy, funky, perfect.

Production and musicianship are second to none. I like a bit of Acid Jazz/70s Blaxploitation. I can appreciate it, but I didn’t really enjoy it after a couple of tracks. I don’t think I’d call them songs. There’s not enough structure. It’s more like amazingly tight jamming which was an ultimately bit boring.

I'm not nostalgic for 1993, because I was a literal baby. However, I appreciate that in the mid-to-late-90s it was possible for an acid-jazz band with a funk bassist and a digeridoo player could be considered a pop act. A bit noodley compared to their following two albums, but otherwise a good introduction to the kinds of eclectic genre mashing that makes this era so interesting to look back on as a music nerd. That said, I want to name-and-shame whoever sold Jay Kay his hats and told him he could dance.

It took me a hot minute to realize what I was listening to. Is it like white guy Stevie Wonder?? I'm okay with white people incorporating funk into their stuff but this feels like a Stevie Wonder rip off. There are elements in the instrumentals that I like for sure but the album and Jamiroquai as a concept is not something that gets me stoked.

I really wanted to live this more than I did. I really love psych funk jazz music, and this has all of those elements, but it just didn't go all the way for me. At some points, I was loving it, but I think overall it felt a bit watered down when compared to War or Parliament or Funkadelic. Maybe it was an element of pop to it that wasn't quite landing for me? I don't know, they're clearly really talented musicians. I loved the didgeridoo in the songs, that was sweet.

Fun white boy soul vibes. I particularly enjoyed the epic 8 minute long “revolution 1993” with its drumline. Even here 32 years later “it’s time for a revolution”.

O álbum de estreia do Jamiroquai é um belo cartão de visitas. A banda ainda vai aparar as arestas no estilo de composição em álbuns futuros, mas a base está aqui. Um instrumental exuberante, boas interpretações de Jay Kay nesse que é possivelmente o disco mais jazzy da banda.

O primeiro disco do Jamiroquai já traz uma identidade sonora bem definida, naquilo que se convencionou chamar de acid jazz. O destaque como sempre fica pra banda afiadíssima, em especial o baixista Stuart Zender, presente nos melhores álbuns da banda (os dois seguintes), responsável groove. Jay K é um frontman competente. A faixa título, "Too Young to Die" e a instrumental "Music of the Mind" são as melhores. Algumas músicas se estendem mais do que deveriam, mas nada que tire o brilho do álbum. Ótima estreia

Oh. So that's where the Persona 5 soundtrack came from.

After a couple of listens, I've decided that this will join my two other Jamiroquai albums in my Tidal library. Good funky vibes that I will definitely want to listen to again.

OVERALL: HOW was this made in 1993. Probably the strongest 4 I'm ever going to give. This is like Stevie Wonder, but he's a band and a little worse. So many good songs, basically every song could be argued to be a 10/10 and I could agree (except for Didgin' Out). Very funky, very soulful, very groovy, so good. Revolution 1993 and the title track are masterpieces. Didgin' Out is pretty bad, but it has potential and could absolutely be salvaged. I always knew Jamiroquai as the Virtual Insanity band, but this is really good. So close to being a 5, which would be the 4th in a row, but some songs could be expanded on and the last song sucks. SONG AVG: 8.655/10 PERSONAL RATING: 8.95/10 When You Gonna Learn?: Pretty good, nice funky track with great blending of jazz and soul. No way this was made in 1993. 8.75/10 Too Young to Die: Sounds like Stevie Wonder, who I love so I really like this one. Very alive and funky, great message and great vocals. I love the horns. 9.75/10 Hooked Up: Very fun. Its like the previous song, but has worse lyrics and more fun instrumentals. Also, it actually ends instead of fading out. 9/10 If I Like It, I Do It: Holy bassline. Soulful and funky, great energy. I'm not British, so I don't really know too much about what he's talking about, but it seems important so that's nice. 9.25/10 Music of the Mind: Such a great instrumental, honestly could be the best on the album. It's only held back by the lack of vocals, but it's really good. 9.8/10 Emergency on Planet Earth: Masterpiece. I can't believe that this was made in 1993, and that it sounds both this futuristic and is as thematically relevant over 30 years later. 10/10 Whatever It Is, I Just Can't Stop: It's cool I guess. Following the title track is either the easiest or hardest thing, and the one here is particularly strong. This song is good, nice drums and pretty groovy, but isn't as good as the title track. 8/10 Blow Your Mind: Very smooth, very funky. Great use of horns. 8 minutes is a bit much, but it doesn't really feel like it. Nice message as well. The ending kinda drags on for a bit, but it's got good pacing otherwise. 8.5/10 Revolution 1993: This reminds me of Close to the Edge, but jazzier and slightly worse. Everything is done really well, except for the lyrics which can sometimes be a bit dry. Groovy, funky, soulful, intense, heavenly. Such a good song. 10/10 Didgin' Out: This ain't it. It would work much better as an instrumental for someone else's vocals. 3.5/10

I’m just a sucker for Jim

It was ok. Standout song: Too young to die

Wannabe Stevie Wonder cardboard music, found little to stimulate, I’m sure the musicianship is first rate but there is no innovation.

go fuck yourself

who enjoys this shite?

A chilling and pleasant listen! There is his unique sound but I'm missing the big hits on this album. Not easy for me to decide between two and three stars. Favourite: "Blow My Mind" 2,5

Didgeridoo heavy, very Jamiroquia, very out there, acid jazz to the max

3/5

Pretty good. Not really my thing.

I've known Jamiroquai for a long time. I thought some of their songs were pretty good. The band was quite popular on my favourite radio station for a while. Later I found the music too hectic, acid jazz from kindergarten children on speed. I quite liked the album, even if I didn't become a fan of it. I don't switch off when I hear it, but I don't look for it either. 3/5

This all has the "easy going" vibe, but it feels a bit forced and fake. Got a bit boring after the first couple of tracks

There is no rational explanation as to why I hate Jamiroquai as much as I do. On a surface level this is funky and fresh and full of energy, but the end result is just elevator music. Nothing interesting happens, and the lyrics are supremely "meh".

It's pretty fun 6/10

I enjoyed this far more than I expected. Very solid album. I’ll definitely get around to this again

That’s a really cool album with a lot of influence.

It was love at first listen with Jamiroquai when my sister came back from her Erasmus in Brighton with this album. A truly unique band that brought jazz-funk back to life right in the middle of the grunge wave and even sparked a whole new generation of didgeridoo fans. A little rough around the edges, sure, but the album’s organic vibe was a great breath of fresh air after the synthetic sounds of the 80s. Great music all around, both technical and danceable, with even the non-charting tracks shining. The first two albums by the band are totally my jam.

Surprisingly boring debut outing from Jarmioquai. The musicianship is impressive from a technical level, and I was happy to listen to it in its entierity, but could only keep thinking of how they'd been able to refine and improve the format going forward.

As homages to 1970s soul and funk go, this is incredibly skilful. There’s just still that nagging sense of “why would I listen to this when I could listen to the genuine article?”

Plenty of Funk and Soul, and yet, it doesn't really speak to me.

Great tunes, Honestly enjoyed it very much

Apart from this being a very long album, it was not a bad experience having it playing in the background. Overall, nothing too exciting but it was alright.

Spaced out for a little at one point and thought I was listening to Stevie Wonder. Bonus points for the digeridoo.

This band has the groove and singer Jay Kay has a lot of soul. I like the jazzy aspects. An upbeat and enjoyable listen. 3.5/5

funky, not-quite Stevie Wonder

Super fun. Upbeat, party, psychedelic dream funk Really dug this

Really enjoyed listening to this album again after not hearing it for awhile!

Ah mais c'est bien en fait Jamiroquai, si on passe sous silence les 8 minutes d'instrumental relou au milieu.

I generally like jazz but found this tiresome, it went on way too long, and the band sounds rather pretentious.

After the brilliance of Television comes Jamiroquai. I think that if you have never heard Stevie Wonder in your life. Which is sad. Then you would think this is amazing. But I adore Stevie and this is far too derivative to even appreciate that they are okay songs in their own right.

I was very pleasantly surprised. I thought Jamiroquai was a one-hit wonder, but was proven otherwise

”We’ve got Stevie Wonder at home”

Didn’t know what to expect, started off quite enjoying it, groovy and funky, but did get a bit samey and started to grate a little. There’s no need for some of the tracks to be so long.

Pretty fun. I saw a review that said it sounds like Stevie Wonder which I would agree with.

Ive been listening to seven days in sunny June by Jamiroquai a lot recently I love that song. I enjoyed this.

7/10 - idk why I expected jamiroquai to be a rap artist but I was mistaken. I enjoyed the funk music a good bit.

I know jamiroquai is a little corny but their music always puts me in a good mood

Sounds like if Stevie Wonder was a little poppier and could see

It’s fine. Put it on when you host your blandest friends for NoName burgers and chips.

Jazz Funk brilliantly arranged , produced and marketed for the pop charts. I challenge any listener not to , at the very least , tap their feet to the entire album.

Funky groovy group making fun albums as always. This is not my favorite Jamiroquai album, but still decent all the way through.

This was such a funky album lol 😅 it was pretty good, again not someone who I've listened to a whole bunch but they are a very particular band and I just didn't get into! Overall it wasn't a bad album but it just didn't catch me lol

Not an album I would have looked at but it was good. I like the lyrics and message. The music is also fantastic! It’s a mix of classic Sly and The Family Stone mixed with some Parliament. Plus anyone that can mix in a didgeridoo to the music is awesome in my book. My favorite songs are Music of the Mind, Revolution 1993, Emergency on Planet Earth, and Didgin Out

Always up for the funk. I've been a fan of Jamiroquai since Traveling Without Moving hit during my record store days. Never went deeper until now. Great album, with a couple of absolute killer tracks ("When You Gonna Learn" and "Revolution 1993")

Jamiroquai is definitely a band that made their mark in 90s with the ever changing landscape of grunge, the swing revival, and bubblegum pop-alternative scene, with something that was just a bit different. I am more familiar with their hit album Travelling Without Moving, so it's nice to explore the beginning of the band. Bring on the funk as this album is just fun! Favorite tracks: Hooked Up, Music of the Mind (nothing against Jay Kay, but this instrumental is the jam), and Revolution 1993!

Some interesting instrumental layering on some tracks but overall pretty derivative

Trying very hard to be Stevie Wonder. Doesn't quite get there but it's a decent attempt. Fine but didn't blow me away.

If your Stevie Wonder records are all scratched up and you need to get the party going, I guess this will do. Much like if you're making some pasta sauce and don't have any tomatoes, you can substitute with ketchup.

Not my style exactly, but their funk is real and undeniable, and they have some cool fusion-y influence in there as well

Interesting mix of jazz and pop. Not particularly exciting for me. Not particularly bad,either

good

FFX2? I've got to be in the mood for it but I'm not mad at it. Very light.

Raging against the machine with a funky beat and a derigido.

Hard to put my finger on this. It is pretty incredible how much Jay Kay sounds like Stevie Wonder. There is a lot I like but those things are all the things I like about the genre from the 70s. I was expecting more fusion with the new and it just never really got there. An album doesn't have to be innovative to be good but I think it's still a missed opportunity. There are some tracks I quite like but there's a lot about this album that kind of rubs me the wrong way. Kind of like Greta Van Fleet, it's just weird to make music from a different era.

This was a weird album to come out at the time because I'm unaware of any other pop/funk/jazz albums to come out in the 90's that were this successful. People say that Jamiroquai has a really unique sound but I don't find that to be the case. They sound just like a lot of acid jazz bands back in the 80's and 70's just more palatable to the average taste (which is fine - no shade). They obviously take a lot of hints from Prince in general, I think Jay Kay is just less challenging Prince to be honest. All that said this isn't bad, but they take a lot of the long winded solo and instrumental stuff from more classic acid jazz music and just drag it on without doing anything really extraordinary. The first 5 songs are great, and then it just starts to sound mastrubatory. I liked the instrumentals and the inclusion of the didgeridoo, and the vibe of the whole thing is good. I just couldn't get through the whole thing without being bored. And I only listened to the first disc - I don't need live cuts and remixes of this. It's fine, and a testament to bringing "back" a genre from niche listeners, but I can't imagine listening to this for more than I did.

Fav: Blow Your Mind Least Fav: Hooked Up Special shout-out to the synths, they make the good stuff better and saves the average songs from being bad. Not bad for my 300th album

Jamiroquai is my favorite band ever. Nothing I say is going to be remotely objective.

Yeah, almost certainly all kinds of appropriation but the albums is not bad, to be fair.

I’m sorry he sounds whiny like I wasn’t listening to the lyrics, but I’m sure he isn’t singing anything necessarily sad? Wait the album is called emergency on planet earth…is this about global warming?!!? Anyways, I am rating a 2 for now but may reconsider later on

Such Funky Fun along with some wicked didgeridoo playing! Music Of The Mind is the same as/very close to Level 42's Love Meeting Love. Liked Songs Added: Hooked Up If I Like It, I Do It Music Of The Mind Emergency On Planet Eath

Sometimes when you’re crate digging, you’ll find a dusty record that you’ve never heard of before, that seems completely insignificant, and yet, the liner notes list great studio musicians whose names you kind of recognize, and because it’s just cheap enough, you add it to the pile. Then you get home, put it on, and are blown away. “What is this forgotten gem?! Why isn’t everyone talking about this?! Where has this album been all my life, I love it,” you say. You’ll then proceed to go down internet rabbit holes where fellow obsessed nerds also rank it as a ✨forgotten classic✨, you’ll spread the gospel to all your fellow music friends in real life, and you’ll have a hard time listening to anything but this strange little treasure you found, thanks to luck, or maybe even divine intervention. And then, one day, suddenly yet slowly, you’ll stop listening to it. No reason, really, you just…moved on. Normal, especially for a music geek. A few years later, you’ll remember it in your stacks, and, remembering how much you once loved it, you’ll put it on, expecting all those tingling joys to reemerge with the very first note. But as the record spins, you find yourself completely disinterested. What happened? Is this a bad album? Did your tastes change? But you still like bands like this? The issue is this: sure, you may have found a good album that was a good genre niche, but once the high of discovery wore off, you came to realize that the music itself is…not particularly special. It’s not timeless like the canonized classics, it doesn’t have a single that gets stuck in your brain for years, it doesn’t do anything unique or boundary-pushing or even display great chemistry. At its core, it’s nothing but great studio musicians playing tightly over good arrangements that never cross the line into greatness. That was what made it appealing, but tight musicianship doesn’t replace soul. Pastiche Bands™️ who become obsessed with long-gone eras (typically two decades prior) are like this, although now they’re late to the party and copying their older sister’s homework who graduated 6 years ago. At their core, Pastiche Bands™️ inspire the same feelings in the listener as the Forgotten Gem™️, but the high is briefer. This music isn’t based on the talent of originality, but the talent of imitation. It isn’t bad to listen to, but it isn’t memorable or impactful. The ‘90s especially had a lot of Pastiche Bands™️, mainly because the ‘70s were a great fucking time for music in general, and had a lot of decade-specific genres that were also critically praised. Jamiroquai are little more than a Pastiche Band™️, filled with excellent studio musicians making ‘70s funk/r&b, specifically derivative of Stevie Wonder, the greatest musician within this niche from that era. Emergency on Planet Earth is a very good reflection of that era. And, for what it’s worth, there are some decent attempts at original ideas here, whether it’s the more electronic-emphasis or the progressive lyrics. But on the whole, there’s always something missing in the execution, and the whole thing feels empty. On top of that, there is the flaw of ‘90s CD-era bloat, with almost every song overstaying its welcome. The absence of a hit on the level of “Virtual Insanity” also lessens the overall value of Emergency on Planet Earth in hindsight. It’s a pleasant listen while it’s on, but it doesn’t stick, and at times, its vapidness starts to even distract. Just listen to imperial era Stevie instead, or watch the video for “Virtual Insanity” and move on.

Meh.

I didn’t like this. Musically it may be good but it’s not for me.

Bring that funk and soul

I enjoy the Jamiroquai songs I know, but I hadn't heard any of their albums in full and I didn't recognize anything off Emergency On Planet Earth. I found it a little disappointing at first but it did grow on me somewhat. I'm skeptical that this is the best selection to be the one Jamiroquai album recognized on the list... again, I haven't heard it, but surely we'd be better served with Travelling Without Moving ("Virtual Insanity")?

I have always thought Jamiroquai are a bit underrated - Jay Kay is a bit of a nob, but this is a really cool 70s throwback with the jazzy soul sound updated for the 90s. Funky and catchy tunes and good vocals, I like it He is clearly a fan of Stevie Wonder but hey, who isnt?

7.5/10. I knew I would like this album but seriously I think it is probably the most infectiously energetic one that I've listened to so far. While I don't think there was a particular stand-out memorable track, it was very consistently enjoyable. The almost strained vocals are great and the jazzy groove is are obviously the highlight. As I say, just missing a stand-out centrepiece, but deserving of a high score just on vibes.

Jamiroquai didn't hit the charts in my country until the mid 90's with songs like Virtual Insanity and Cosmic Girl, so I was curious to listen to their debut. This is a straight Stevie Wonder rip, which has made me hear their later songs in a new light. This is a well made and enjoyable album, but entirely derivative. I'm glad they evolved past this in later records.

Jamiroquai seem to get a bad rep but I've never really had an issue with their sound. This was more jazzy than I expected based on the songs I know and it was okay but it dragged on a bit and once again I have to question why this list seems to favour albums with multiple songs that are at least 6 minutes in length. Get in the bin

муторный двухяасовой даже не джаз а хз что, ну пара песен прикольных

очень надоедливо............................ и гениальное решение обрывать каждую песню в конце, спасибо за развитие тревожности из примечательного только when you gonna learn

i like the dynamics in this album and mix of all instruments, album has incredible jazz energy. I like it.

Background music. Not bad not good

This was good but honestly kind of middle of the road, nothing super intrigued me about it, but I didn't mind listening. I probably wouldn't relisten

Not much to say, just a super fun album. Although hearing this makes it clear that Jamiroquai has a sound and sticks to it. Not the album with Canned Heat on it (Great use of that song in Napoleon Dynamite), but Canned Heat wouldn't sound out of place on this record despite that song being recorded 6 years later.

custom_rating:4

El mejor de la semana so far, me gustó bastante. Es un 3.5 pero como no hay mas estrellas supongo que esta mas cerca de un 4 que de un 3

Upbeat and not hard to listen to, but highly derivative of stuff Stevie Wonder was doing much better roughly a quarter of a century before this came out.

happy mood guys

Not my type of jazz

This was really Funky, a lot cooler than I anticipated it to be. Jamiroquai has made an effortless blend between Funk and the House and other electronic music of the 90s. The brass band is nice and the basslines are really groovy. Didgeridoos are also a really cool instrument and a nice touch. I didn't mind this one not really having any Jamiroquai hits but I think the album falls off hard in the second part. The songs get a lot longer and not that much better IMO, it quickly gets to be the same thing.

jamiroquai has had quite the resurgence these past few years, and for very good reason. his incredibly funky and thought-provoking tracks resonate with a lot of listeners nowadays. jamiroquai's debut album gets us introduced right away to the kind of music he would release in the years following, expressing concern for the future of humanity in the only way he knows how, uber-postmodern disco, jazz and dance music. it's a good album to listen to, whenever you're dancing in a nightclub or sitting down in a chair and thinking about what he's singing.

This is a solid debut album. It's a bit samey overall, but still not enough to be boring. It's well produced and written, very funky and groovy, showing the trademarks Jamiroquai is known for.

I always liked this band or artist or whatever, it's a fun and unique sound and will always enjoy a listen.

It was not my favorite. Every song had me waiting for the lyrics "just dance" which I think is a Jamiroquai song, but I am not sure. I don't think it was on this album, but again not positive. Overall it was fun for maybe a song and then a bit of a slog.

3.8 Very nice. Flash from the past - I loved travelling without moving as a kid but never explored further after they released Little L and I hated it. Nice throwback to go earlier on, definitely something good here, pretty solid debut. Some 70s funk/acid jazz with a 90s twist. Need to go back and absorb travelling without moving again now, must be at least 25 years.

2.5

4.25

My wife's favourite record when it came out, she has moved on to Radiohead now. This is the beauty of the site, I didn't listen to or like these at the time, but what a great record amazing musicians, thoughtful lyrics and style.This brings back so many memories of that period in the 90s when I went to festivals seeing Bowie, Young etc

This is music for a particular mood in my opinion. Enjoyable, entertaining and powerful album overall.

Prefiro ouvir tudo aquilo que ele tá tentando imitar

Funky, groovy, jazzy - det er da lækkert nok

Long but quality

I didn’t finish the album(just due to time) but it was a smooth and easy listen. Not super catchy though.

6.5/10

It's... fine. Not particularly memorable. Not even 100% sure that I listened all the way through.

As a crap tribute to Jay Kay, I'm listening to this while playing Gran Turismo - perfect match. Groovy, spacey, good fun and covered in tasty playing. That said - it's a whole lot of the same thing, and it's a bit of a laugh to hear the man who'd go on to be one of the world's foremast supercar collectors calling for a revolution. Favourite tracks: When You Gonna Learn, Music Of The Mind, Emergency On Planet Earth

Should you ever need a reminder of reasons to hate the 90s. Alternatively: what if the Persona soundtracks were uninspired shite which never. Fucking. Stopped.

I approached this expecting nothing, as usually happens when I find an album that was huge during my youth (let's talk prejudices, hehe). That said, at least I found a funky sounding, fun album to listen to. I don't think I'll listen to it again, as I'd rather go to the sources of black music, but I can understand why this was big. Recommended for 90s nostalgics and eurofans.

All shades of shitty nonsense

This mashup of jazz, blues, hiphop, funk soul and rock is just that - a mash with little to offer.

Quality pop dance collection anchored by solid white boy funk. A few memorable standouts too.

You know what I don't mind a bit of Jamieoquai but after a while it does feel a bit like relentless funk. It's a little samey but I don't not like it. It's just a bit of fun right

This wasn't bad but I found it all sounded the same to me, every song could have suddenly been Canned Heat and I wouldn't have noticed. But it does has funky beats and overall his voice gives it a different sound to anything else, problem is, it's all the same sound.

Weird funky and chill

Before listening to this album, I was only familiar with "Virtual Insanity" song. Definitely has 1970s sound and vibe. It was quite an enjoyable listen. Nice throwback.

I never got super familiar with this particular album, but it has some really strong tracks. Plus, Jamiroquai really helped put acid jazz on the map for mainstream success. He always strikes the perfect balance between jazz, funk, and soul.

Instrumentation is amazing. Vocals have a hint of Srwvie Wonder

Он конечно классный,но 2х часовой альбом это конечно перебор

Some of the lyrics are solid while others are a little shallow. That said, it's pretty damn funky. Revolution 1993 is a great example.

Nice

I'll be honest with you and admit that I thought Jamiroquai was a person, not a band name. But ok, I was wrong about that. They're a group, cool. I then assumed that, based on the sound, the genre and, I'll be honest Jay Kay's voice, that they were primarily a black band. Hell, in listening to this album I was drawing comparisons of Kay's voice to Stevie Wonder and Al Green. These are things I sincerely thought. I know now how wrong those assumptions were, and I honestly was a little disappointed to see that an acid jazz and funk band called Jamiroquai, whose sound is reminiscent of 70's soul and funk music, is primarily a white band. It shouldn't be this way, but it honestly kinda took the wind out of my sails on this one. It shouldn't, but it does. Anyway, the album is fantastic. The mix of funk, soul, jazz, disco, and whatever the hell else was on here is just absolute ear candy. I could've listened to an hour more of this. I thought I had more to go and was so bummed when I realized I was on the last track (which is a really weird choice for a closer, if you ask me). Seriously - this was made for me. I've loved pretty much every jazz and funk album I've been dealt in this project, and this just took things up a level. The grooves, man. It's the grooves. The grooves are perfect here. Four stars. Just still here being stunned that Jay Kay is a white guy. Go figure. Standout Tracks: When You Gonna Learn?, Hooked Up, If I like It, I Do It, Whatever It Is, I Just Can't Stop, Revolution 1993

close enough, welcome back stevie wonder

There's some definite positives - some great songs, plenty of energy. But overall I think it's just a bit one toned for my liking.

This isn’t even the one with Virtual Insanity on it! Don't really have a lot to say on this one. It's right in the middle of 2.5 - 3 for me. Nothing that really bothers me (except the appropriation) but nothing that really excites me too much either. It just makes me want to listen to Stevie Wonder instead. 2.75⭐️

5.0 - Awesome

I enjoyed it a good amount. It was better than I expected.

Yes it’s all been done before but it’s upbeat, some good tunes and hopefully turned some people at the time to something different.

boy, this is smoooooooooooth

Old school funk with a make over.

Funkadelic

I liked how jazzy it was

Man this was fun. So much fun. They’d be fun to see live I bet.

Not a big fan of this kind of acid jazz music.

Not quite sure why the didgeridoo was everywhere in England in 1993. The Poppies had it all over their minor hit Get the Girl, Kill the Baddies, the Levellers had it all over their No. 12 hit This Garden, Aphex Twin released a song called Didgeridoo, and infamous hat-botherer and car-shagger Jay Kay whacked it right up top of this. All in the same year. Late in the year Madonna sparked controversy by carrying around a didgeridoo while simultaneously being (sharp intake of breath) a woman. I'm not making this up And then the didgeridoos didgeridon'ted again just as soon as they had arrived. It was a little moment in time. So anyway, on the subject of cultural appropriation for a massive audience, let's move on to Jamiroquai. While that's obviously what he's doing here, I think it's fair to say it's done well with great bass grooves, and it gave teenage me a little window into funk and soul, which I would peer through and delight in the far superior stuff which Jay obviously reveres. And so for that I'm grateful. Plus there's a few genuinely good tunes (Revolution 93 probably the highlight) and it was funny to take the piss out of his ridiculous hats. Apparently he comes from very near where I live, but I don't like to shout about that. I mean, so does Morrissey. Also, he's at least talking politics in a pop record, which reminds you that people used to do that in the 90s before all that sort of stuff basically died, beyond more fringe scenes like folk and hip hop.

The cultural appropriation posts about this were almost comical enough to make this album something but nope. Cute singer though

Dapa dupa bass and funky

Just a person wishing they are Stevie Wonder when they really aren't. The musicians otherwise are very good, it is the singer that ruins it for me.

Didn't think much of it. Bland. Really not my taste.

Отличная музыка

It’s a funk phenomenon! Didgeridon’t. Nonsense spoken about cultural appropriation has minimal relevance here - almost all popular music is derivative in some sense. Arguments that everyone has to remain in their cultural zone limits freedom of expression, curiosity, and creativity. So long as it is respectful and progressive is much more important. Stevie Wonder did not arrive fully formed de novo, he was influenced by Marvin Gaye and a host of others. What matters is putting your own stamp on it. That aside, while I enjoyed the musicianship, it was a bit dull at times.

Quite a good album and it has the style I enjoy

pretty cool modern funk album. there was a lot of catchy and dancable stuff on here and enjoyed it! it was fairly consistently good and i did really enjoy listening to it. for me, it didn't really rise to the occasion of "truly great" but it is definitely fun!

Really liked the vibe on this album. Had to look them up and their Wiki page had their genre classified as "acid jazz" which I did not know existed. Good enough to get a high 3, but I can't quite give it a 4.

Only thing that comes to mind when I think of Jamiroquai is the final dance scene from Napoleon Dynamite. Otherwise, I've never dug into their music and have really no expectations. Kind of an interesting aesthetic at play here. Like a Disco-revival of sorts with a significant dose of the funk. Music of the Mind is way jazzier than anything I expected to find here. Low-key fire. Whatever It Is, I Just Can't Stop is an absolute jam. The bass is thick and groovy as fuck and love the sex guitar. This would be a great set filler. Also, Didgin' Out goes way harder than it has any right. Honestly didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I am. I've listened to this probably 3 times today and I have yet to tire of it. More bands need didgeridoo and jazz flute. THis as a surprisingly high 4 for me.

Feels like a new age Michael Jackson with some psychedelic sounds infused. Cool album overall, definitely interesting. 4 stars

This album is the bee's knees and that's without Canned Heat on the track list. This could be an everyday listen with how in the groove I got. Very high 4 with a potential of being a 5 in the perfect circumstance.

Always heard of Jamiroquai but never listened to them. I am very happy that this came up because this album is incredible. Acid Jazz is slowly becoming one of my favorite genres, it just never misses for me. This album started off very good and had me moving, but as soon as it hit the instrumental then from everything after that it really took off. Revolution 1993 in particular was an absolute heater. This was not necessarily a surprise 5 after I started listening, but a surprise based on never listening to this band before.

I really only know Virtual Insanity by these guys and I love it. Sounds about right comparing it to that song, but holy hell I had to check what song I was listening to on Music of the Mind. Dope song. Revolution 1993 slaps hard. Just a groovy ass song. Love the full circle of the didgeridoo in the first and last song. This was insanely unique and fun. Sneaky 5. Not the highest of 5's but it might be the most fun. I was boppin all the way through. Went ahead and listened to their next album which also bops.

5/10

I have a friend who's worked with a former member of Jamiroquai and I'm sure it will surprise no one that the Stevie Wonder impersonating, Native American headdress wearing white guy who sings about an Emergency on Planet Earth while owning a collection of highly polluting super cars is a bit of a bell end and loves to phone people up early on a Christmas morning coked up and lonely. That said, I like the music. It's derivative, but it's also quite good fun. Despite Jay Kay being, alongside The Edge, the King of the Hat Wankers.

i had a college friend whose favorite artist was Jamiroquai and who was always insisting we check out his back catalog. I never did until now, but this was exactly as expected.

the bulk of the jamiroquai catalogue is pretty middle of the road (respectful) and when something stands out it really stands out, but this isn't their strongest work. not much of it stands out above the rest.

I know the band and more than a handful of songs but I don't agree with putting this or any other album by them on the Must Hear Before I Die playlist. I like the funkiness but it gets less appetizing by the end of the hour and nothing really stands out to me. I didn't really enjoy any of it. It's entertaining to a degree, mostly too jazzy for me, but no US hits, no staying power, no watercooler talk about this album or band. It does have a TON of listens from top to bottom, the least listened to track has 1.5M and the most listened to ("When You Gonna Learn") is over 23M. 2 stars for me.

Je connaissais Jamiroquai grâce à Virtual Insanity, que j'aime beaucoup, donc j'avais pas mal d'attentes que j'ai lancé cet album. Je ne vais pas dire que j'ai été déçu, c'était très cool à écouter, mais rien ne m'a réellement marqué. 3,5 arrondi en dessous

Kedvenc/Favourite: Emergency on Planet Earth Egy pillanatra sem volt unalmas, nagyon változatos album érdekes zenei megoldásokkal és ötletekkel. Élvezhető volt, talán egy egész kicsit hosszú. Nem könnyen emészthető szerintem, de nekem nagyon tetszett. It was never boring, a very diverse album with interesting musical solutions and ideas. It was enjoyable, maybe a bit long. I don't think it was easy to digest, but I liked it a lot.

The 90s were a fun time.

I would have it five stars if it were traveling without moving. That's my favorite jamiroquai album.

It's good. Takes me back and puts a smile on my face. Upbeat yet chill. I dig it.

first impressions were: this was groovy, White Stevie Wonder!? But ultimately not nearly as great as Stevie himself, and the Jamiroquai frontman kinda seems like a POS after a quick google search.

Another great album!

Starts off fun and funky enough, had tunes out by end. Probs won’t return to really

Always epic.

Simpatico, niente da dire, ma troppo particolare per me.

Damn, I’ve been missing out! This is a five star album for me. They’re so much more than a couple of hit songs, and I slept on them back in the day, assuming as much. I love the blend of genres built on a retro style of funk, with some rock and pop thrown in. The rhythm section is killer; I loved the horns and quirky synthesizers. Sure, the lyrics can be a little out there at moments but it all just gels. I like every song on the album except one (“Whatever It is, I Just Can’t Stop”), and even that track is not skip worthy. This is exactly why I’m doing this loooong challenge because it uncovers some unknown to me gems along the way. This album is a gateway drug to dive deeper into their entire discography for sure.

I feel like I don't know enough about this genre to really judge. It was a fine album with good vibes and I don't regret listening to it, but I got the feeling that it was not the real thing, and that I could cast a line in a record store funk/soul section and pull back an album better than this pretty easily.

I don’t mind this, but it did go on a little too long for me. Interesting contrast between this and yesterday’s Black Flag album: 20 tracks, 121 minutes versus 15 tracks, 34 minutes. I guess I have a short attention span.

I honestly didn't know Jamiroquai was a band. I had assumed it was just a DJ/Producer creating everything. Huh. Still doesn't help this album. The production is way to slick and all the songs suffered from being amalgamations of every Soul/Funk/R&B song ever written. It really sounds like they just grabbed their favorite bits and pieces - some strings here, 70 bass lines there, etc - to create every song. It didn't work for me. I love soul/funk and jazz, but I won't be back to this one.

OK at times but also grating at others. Its probably a 2.5.

Didn't really enjoy any of the songs. Background music at best for me.

Serious funky Stevie Wonder vibes from this one. I’m on board.

This is great stuff. Really fun. I honestly had only ever heard virtual insanity and watched the video. Loved the music video and the song. Always meant to check out more. Glad this popped up.

Goes on a bit. Got on my nerves after a while. 2.5

Funky, jazzy, lyrics generally nonsense. Definitely best when played loud 3.25/5

Great listen- lively funk album that remained interesting. Little bit on the lengthy side but enjoyed throughout

Actually quite enjoyed this. Really gave me vibes of George Michael, Scissor Sisters and Robbie Williams. There was another artist this reminded me of and it took a bit for me to get it. I had the song in my head and eventually it clicked. Canned Heat which I then discovered was by Jamiroquai so turns out I had heard them before. This album was fun and funky, solid 4 stars from me!

All the really cool people had this one back in the day. Long before they were a thing, this record had the seeming perfect combination of ode to old-style funky grooves and raw newness that made it sound distinctively like nothing else. I hadn’t listened in a while, and I’m glad it still holds up, and brings back the funky promise of yesteryear.

For some reason I just expected this to be bad (I don't know why) but it was better than I expected. A few good tracks that were enjoyable, but overall nothing really special. I would probably give it a 2.5/5 if possible.

Listening Without Caring

Καποιες πραγματικα expiremental απιθανες παραγωγες. Δεν περιμενα αυτο το album μα μου κανει τοσο εντυπωση. Πολυ ωραια synths. Ισως το πιο ενδιαφερον funky αλμπουμ εκει εξω. Θα το ξανακουσω

I'm sorry to confess that I like this more than Stevie Wonder, even if it is a massive rip off of his sound. Maybe just to do with what I was exposed to when younger...

Tasty record! If I was a bass player, this record would be in an eternal loop for my entire life.

jazzy, good not great

It wasn’t bad. Nothing really stood out, though.

I don't hate this? I dunno. Some decent grooves here but nothing really great. I'm feeling nice so I guess it gets 3 stars.

Shite

It was okay. Became repetitive after a bit.

If you're going to be influenced by someone, Stevie Wonder is a good choice.

Sirvió de nexo entre el mejor funk de los 70 (con obvias influencias de Stevie Wonder) y lo que llegarían a hacer Daft Punk (que bebieron de las mismas fuentes y del propio Jamiroquai) No es su mejor disco (The Return of the Space Cowboy (1994) o Travelling without Moving (1996) , pero contiene dos pepinazos como "When You Gonna Learn?" y "Too Young to Die" , además de un buen rollo digno de ser escuchado.

It’s hard for me to imagine someone not enjoying this.

It’s funky but bit too long for my taste, I feel this could be condensed so that the quality remains high throughout. Low-key reminds me of Persona 3.

Fun tunes, none really stood out but all enjoyable to listen to.

Pretty good, but not really my style, 7/10.

Strong

Nice background music, but no song really stood out to me enough to want to listen to it again.

So funky I think I need to get tested for something

I think I’m good for one Jamiroquai song at a time. Their unique sound sounds less unique after 3+ soundalikes in a row.

Music for shopping

Somewhere between a 3 and a 4, but I probably won’t listen to it again, so it’s getting a 3.

Just not my thing

Gonna have to agree with the majority of reviews and say this sounds a lot like stevie wonder. But that’s never a bad thing and I think it’s a much more maximalist approach. Also didgeridoo.

Always meant to listen to listen to them & regret not doing it sooner. This was groovy

I enjoyed this. Not as much as other Jamiroquai albums though.

Not my bag

fun!

This one may not Blow Your Mind, but it may cause an Emergency On Planet Earth.

This made JK a very very very very rich man. There's a lot to like about this - as a bass player it's a great listen, but it's also a bit of a polished - highly polished - turd. I saw these guys a festival a few years ago. Chic had just done a blistering hour long set that was all killer. Having a podgy JK bounce around for 90 minutes was about 81 minutes too long.

Couldn't stand Jamiroquai when I was younger thought Jay Kay was such a bell end. Whilst my views and tastes have changed and mellowed over the years - this still makes my ears bleed. Not aware of what Jay Kay is upto currently - but would put money on him still being a dick.

Yeah, it’s all a bit derivative. All artists borrow but this feels more like theft. Lyrics are socially conscious but not remotely subtle or clever in how they talk about the issues, it’s all very preachy. The music itself is pretty good. The band are tight with some great bass lines but it’s just let down by the vocal and lyrical content. In Jamiroquai’s defence, Virtual Insanity & Deeper Underground are great songs. They’re just not on this album.

Not bad. This would have been great to see live.

I love Jamiroquai and their funky/spacey sound. The didgeridoo on this album is so fun and adds to that vibe. I think that all the songs here are a good representation of their sound, minus Revolution 1993 (Its too long and sadly a bit uninteresting to warrant its length). While I prefer The Return of the Space Cowboy, this album is still amazing in its own right.

Very good, love jamieoquai

This was an awesome record that I had never heard of. Made the conneciton to Canned Heat from Nepolion Dynamite, but otherwise don't know any of their other tracks. This record is fueled by energy and forces you to bust a groove. For that alone, I must rate it highly and the overall intrumentation is super groovy and fun. 8/10

Menningartaka frá frumbyggjum Ameríku. Augljós eftirherma Stevies Wonders. Ég veit ekki alveg hvað mér á að finnast um þetta svona móralskt séð. Svo er samt alveg ryþmi og búggí í þessu. Alls ekki jafn gott stöff og hittararnir þeirra Little L og Virtual Insanity. Smá óbragð samt af því hvað þetta er mikið plott eftirhermu. Svo er kaldhæðið að maður með safn 50 exótískra bifreiða syngi um áhrif kapitalismans.

I like, real groovy

Truly an inspiration when it comes to funk. Masterpiece.

Funk *Acid Jazz, whatever that is. Different. The 1990's

Pish.

“white’s goin on?”

Light, catchy, infinitely danceable. Pleasant listen.

Überraschend gefälliges Album, dass sich gut durchhören lässt. Die teilweise anspruchsvollen Songs sind gut arrangiert. Die Unterstützung von klassischen Instrumenen ist ein bisschen wie das Salz in der Suppe.

I never heard of this group. The sound and all the instruments, reminds of Chicago of the 60's. I do like Chicago.

I really like this, always have. Back in the day I think my “legit” friends would sneer at Jamiroquai but I never saw the problem. It might be the funkiest thing that’s been made since the 70s? Interesting to read that growing up, Jay Kay was a grubby street urchin and not a trust fund crusty - that could have gone either way. I don’t think I love it though, a little bit too much filler, rambling skatty lyrics and the singles are all pretty similar.

Haven't heard this for years. Some nice sounds

Are we trying to recreate Songs in the Key of Life? Seems that is the formula for this group. Not to say it's bad but grow please.

This is Acid Jazz at its best - one might think since Jamiroquai is so connected with the genre. I say it is indeed cool but there could've been a bit more quality over quantity.

I really need to start reading the genre before I listen because I was thinking it would be a metal album or something like that. This was nothing of the sort, it was the perfect music on a sunny day and it just made you feel good when you listened to it. Wasn’t familiar with Jamiroquai but I will get acquainted with them more now

Jamiroquai is not who I thought he was. I always thought he made R&B music in the vein of Ne-yo or Usher. This came way out of left field for me. This was more like Stevie Wonder. I liked this album, it was upbeat and funky and didn’t overstay its welcome. It’s not something I’ll listen to all the time, but I wouldn’t be upset if it came on.

I have to be in the mood for Jamiroquai, it's a good album, funky.

Love it, not their best album in my opinion but nonetheless very good. Jazz funk done brilliantly but I think as a band they improved even more after this album. Jay Kay is an extraordinary talent

You can start to feel the vibe that will push Jamiroquai to success, but it just makes me forward to the possibility of another album of him coming soon later

It's right in the middle of 3 for me. Nothing that really bothers me per se but nothing that really excites me too much either except maybe the use of the dijeridoo.

I'm sure it's not bad just not my type

3.5-really liked it but couldn’t go 4 stars because it was a little redundant

very good

Fun!

Pass

Whatever it is it just blew my mind.

Unexpected pre-virtual Jamirquai 3.5

Not my thing, but there's lots of funky beats here.

Hot take: if Jamiroquai hadn’t become briefly popular with Traveling Without Moving, they would have maintained more clout. They are an incredibly impressive band. But they felt like a novelty act in the 90s. Never mind that funk and disco really weren’t that far away from them. I mean, Green Day has been making the same shitty music for 30 years. Why couldn’t a 90s funk band have seemed more directly tied to the funk movement 15 years earlier than they ever did? Good band. Good album.

It's another ok but completely forgettable jazz album. Been very disappointed in their selection so far (not that I know much of anything about jazz) 6/10

This was really good. Only thing is some of the tracks could be cut down a bit and make the run time more smooth. This has a great instrumental background. It’s blends Funk with some Jazz and Dance Elements. This is something you put on lay back , close your eyes and let the music paint whatever picture comes to mind 3.5/5 (could be a 4, will take future listens)

Voice is fine, and music is decent, but the songs get really repetitive. Best song: When You Gonna Learn?

big 3

Day316 - it’s fine, it definitely sounds like a jamiroquai album it doesn’t have the only two songs by him that i know but they all kinda sound the same

First cd big fun, second cd bit boring

Really well done album with some great performances.

groovy, but missing something I can't quite put my hand on.

Det här är svindåligt!

Catchy and fun.

Enjoyable 3.5

Enjoyed this a lot while driving. Totally new to me but it grabbed my attention from the beginning.

This album doesn't have his hit. Forgivable. This one is fine. It's fun and a little quirky.

Good listen. Some decent tracks.

Great funk album!

Kind of 90s disco, not doing it for me

Long time ago.... Still nice to hear. Fresh music. Cool

I was never a big fan of Jamiroquai, but having this album Play on YouTube music resulted in me listening to another hour and a half of live songs. I enjoyed it

Funky but a bit self indulgent.

nice, but in a certain mood

Jamiroquai very clearly have their own sound and explore it well. They've never been my favourite band, but it's a good sound and the album is decent.

Good vibes

Didn’t do much for me

This shit had me movin like Napoleon… last song (Didgin It) was epic

Cool guy! Consistently fun album

I had seen these guys' music videos but never listened to a full album - way more jazzy and dancy than I ever even knew! Really good and fun - I feel like I could put this on anytime and it would brighten my day

didn’t feel special

A funk/jazz fusion album. I was not feeling this album today. On another day it would be better. There is nothing wrong with it, just wasn’t feeling it. Standouts: If I Like It, I Do It, Emergency on Planet Earth, and Revolution 1993.

Some nice funk, but derivitive of better stuff from the 70s. I do like some of the later hits they put out

Funky electro-jazz that is a classic. Every track punches the funky, 70s soul vibes with house beats. The album has many slower tracks such as Hooked Up and Music of the Mind. Standouts: When You Gonna Learn?, Too Young To Die and Emergency On Planet Earth.

4.0

Jamiroquai makes music for PS2 era SEGA games and I need it injected into my blood. 10/10

FUNKY. Love the instrumentation. Bass is bumpin, snare is tight, strings are immaculate, horns are bright. Had no idea Jamiroquai had pipes like this either, silky smooth. 'Hooked Up' could have been on a Persona soundtrack. 'Music of the Mind' is a wonderful interlude track. Fav Track: Too Young To Die

The 90s in the UK were a weird time weren't they. How we mocked this idiot with his insane hat and weird white-boi funky rhythms. But he has a supercar collection AND got to boff Denise Van Outen, so guess he has no regrets. Didn't like it then, don't like it now. Still reminds me way too much of a CD in the Ford Mondeo of a sales rep in the Midlands.

annoyingly catchy

Solid disco band featuring a white guy who sounds like Stevie Wonder. Unnecessary didgeridoo.

First time hearing this, had some later Jamaroquai albums, but never dived in further back. This is a great debut, so funky, great mix of genres, solid 4

There isn’t one single on here that stands out, but the experience of the entire album is joyous. I want to have a Jamiroquai experience rather than any one song. Their concerts must have been great.

Pretty great. I could see myself being really into this if I was around at the time it came out. Still, it sounds distinctly very 90s pop

loved it

Pure fun!

I expected to like this more, given how much I like Jamiroquoi's more popular singles. But I found the vocals way too derivative of Stevie Wonder; it almost sounds like a cover band. I think the band is quite talented musically (I was actually a bit surprised that this is a band, not just 1 guy with session musicians), and it's pretty telling that my favourite song was the instrumental "Music of the Mind". "Blow Your Mind" is pretty good too, but about halfway through the 10 min "Revolution 1993", I completely lost interest.

6,60

Maybe I’m feeling generous but this gets a whopping 5 out of 5. Great energy, funky baselines, eau de Stevie Wonder. Enjoyed every minute. Had heard the singles from Jamiroquai as they were released back in the day but they never made me want to explore the back catalogue. This is a fantastic album, I missed out not hearing it until now

Yeah, this slaps All the instruments sound lovely, love the funky bass riffs all throughout, coupled with the sax and other horns... so good The synths layer in well too, so the music has good depth to it The notes mention how this album takes heavily from the 70s, which is more good news for me, being a huge fan of that era The mix is wide, sounds spacious. All instruments sound amazing, great tones, everything can be heard clearly. Vocals blend nicely, don't overpower anything. Great vocals by Jay Kay, fits perfectly in Favorite track: When You Gonna Learn?

Too much jazz for me but there are a couple of songs that raiseit from 1 star. 2 stars or D- for me.

You know what, I don’t seek Jamiroquai out, and I don’t think that’s likely to change, but I do always enjoy him when he shows up

Gotta say, a lot of this was fun and tuneful