If you are like me, your first exposure to Jamiroquai may have been something along the lines of ‘WTF with the crazy buffalo hat’? Other acceptable associations are: ‘nice voice’, ‘wow, my chick really loves this album’ and ’sounds like disco’. As Jamiroquai grew on me, I think the initial phase of my acceptance was one of the more interesting – reconciling their popularity and style as an offshoot to rave culture (via acid jazz), yet their organic vibe and funk simply defied the rigid constraints of popular dance music in the early 90s.
Through the years, Jamiroquai have proven themselves as a band capable of longevity by evolving in a very fluid fashion. Always an outfit with an intensely distinctive sound, they have drifted unapologetically between various production styles and modes of songwriting all while being respectful of the essence that garnered them a strong following in the first place. What “High Times: Singles 1992-2006″ really highlights is a band that started out with a groovy pimp strut and only continues to gain confidence in their walk over the years.
Face it, if ya don’t dig what they’re about, I’m not going to change your mind. As with any artist, there are points of critique that could be lobbied, but the idea is that any one of the songs off this album, when juxtaposed well with a similar song by a soul, funk or disco contemporary, is going to hold its own: a great compliment to your party mix shuffle in other words. This best of definitely nails the focus of what Jamiroquai does – bouncy, funky, fun music that sounds genuinely inspired. It’s a great springboard to the rest of their collection as well: if you happen to find yourself drawn to one era or another via a song on this album, you are going to know exactly where to start.
By the way, the two previously unreleased tracks, “Runaway” and “Radio” are sure to please, both are class tracks that compliment the rest of this collection well. . . I’m just loving “Radio” in particular, great turnaround hook in the chorus and rock-funk movement of the track is sweet.
In conclusion, my hope is that a similarly well thought out collection of remixes is released on CD as a compliment, seems like a remix best of could fill two discs easily.
Jamiroquai - Alright Mp3
Jamiroquai - Seven Days In Sunny June Mp3
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