LIVE DVD
COMPILATION
Maintaining Jamiroquai’s habit of kicking off their albums in immediately arresting fashion, stunning disco opener Canned Heat, with its Chic strings and juggernaut chorus is effectively Saturday Night Fever recast for the late 90s, a theme repeated on fourth track Soul Education that similarly extols the virtues of living life on the dancefloor.
THIS IS FUNK WITH A POLITICAL EDGE THAT RECONNECTED WITH SOCIALLY- CONSCIOUS 70S SOUL
The introduction of subterranean electro basslines which would reach its zenith on Godzilla soundtrack song Deeper Underground fuels the undercarriage of Planet Home and adds another texture to the mix.
Regular visitors to the world-renowned jazz festival over the years, Jay Kay and his seven-piece band were at the top of their game for this appearance back in 2003.
In its original incarnation, this 19-track affair is all killer and no filler. As one of the most consistent singles bands across the last three decades, Jamiroquai could always be relied upon to throw down two or three stellar 7"s on every studio album. Never released on vinyl – the record label needs to rectify that pronto – few bands can match this as a greatest hits compilation song-for-song. Presented in chronological release order, it’s a neat snapshot of the band’s evolution as they take on electro, rock and clubfriendly influences. A full version of the band’s only UK No.1, the superb Deeper Underground makes this an essential purchase.
Jay Kay returns to confessional songwriting for the horn section-assisted Black Capricorn Day while the delicate Rhodes-driven Falling acts as a nice low-key counterpoint. 70s sci-fi funk instrumental Destitute Illusions throws a little turntablism into the mix and the didge is back once more for Supersonic – Wallis Buchanan’s final appearance on the band’s albums to date.
Songs are double or even three times the length of their studio incarnations as the band stretch out elegantly to show off their jazzy chops in full. They’re even confident enough to premiere rarity Shoot The Moon, written just the day before this show.
Head to the Deluxe Edition for new twists via 10 remixes from across their career. Emergency On Planet Earth is handed a percussive reboot by Masters At Work for the London Rican Mix and David Morales adds a few sampled gimmicks to Space Cowboy. Knee Deep’s Re-Edit of Love Foolosophy maximises its four-to-thefloor potential, Bob Sinclar tweaks Little L into a house anthem and erstwhile Amy Winehouse producer Salaam Remi provides a soulful new slant on Virtual Insanity.
Acid Jazz was already a well established and much-loved global movement by the time that Jamiroquai, helmed by the self-proclaimed “cat in the hat” Jay Kay, swaggered on to the scene in the early 90s. His band may have ticked all of the retro soul/funk boxes but Kay’s headline-generating early interviews and eco warriorthemed songs took them to another level. Kay was the ringleader of an ever-evolving line-up and his identity as a frontman and songwriter dominates Jamiroquai’s legacy.
And it wouldn’t be the only changing of the guard. Bassist Stuart Zender left the band in late 1998 part way through recording the LP, chronicled by the cutting “tribute’ closing track King For A Day. Sample lyrics: “There’s no love ever to be lost between us/ I guess this is because the damage you’ve done is so grievous.” Nick Fyffe seamlessly fitted in on bass to fill the hole left by the departing Zender.
Immediately winning the crowd over with a 10-minute version of Use The Force, Rob Smith shines on strident lead guitar, it’s a well-chosen setlist that finds space for the likes of Mr Moon, Soul Education and Just Another Story.
Blacksmith add R&B textures to You Give Me Something for the boldest refit and Phil Asher turns the piledriver aspects of Supersonic up to 11.