Search - Jamiroquai :: Return of the Space Cowboy

At the time of this album, Jamiroquai's second, Britain's soul-funk-acid jazz scene had been firmly established by numerous club DJs and bands like Soul II Soul, Brand New Heavies, Incognito, and Young Disciples. Jamiroquai formed their own voice with strong songwriting, tight ensemble playing, and--most of all--Jay Kay's fluid vocals, which are impressively reminiscent of Stevie Wonder's. As the band's main songwriter, Kay addresses social ills ("Just Another Story," "Manifest Destiny"), advocates enlightenment ("Stillness in Time," "Light Years"), and leads his multiculti band through love songs both bubble-gum funky ("Mr. Moon") and jazzy sweet ("Half the Man"). Unabashedly mixing disco into their funky soul, Jamiroquai even make cheesy synths sound good. --Suzanne McElfresh