With songs that fall exactly in between Michael Jackson's Off the Wall period and A Taste of Honey, Jamiroquai's Synkronized is a funk-disco inferno that is distinguished from its 1970s counterparts only by its 1990s produ... more »ction. It contains all the same ingredients: wah-wah guitar, electric piano, soft-sided strings oozing out melody, pot-bellied bass, and a blasted-out horn section that evokes images of three guys stepping in sync while their sequined flairs swipe over white patent-leather loafers. While the funk is steamy enough to flatten the tallest 'fro, Jay Kay's impeccable ability to emulate Stevie Wonder's vocals brings on the cool side. But the album isn't all about a time warp. Just when you think Jamiroquai isn't going to step a toe beyond 1978, "Supersonic," the seventh track, throws down an acid-house riff that works in didgeridoo and a synthed-out cow bell. "Where Do We Go from Here" rocks with a leap-frogging blues piano and tangy bongos. The album's grand finale, "King for a Day," is a regal rock-operatic excursion embellished with fully orchestrated piano and strings. Overall, this Jamiroquai jamfest is an irreplaceable summer-in-the-city album. --Beth Massa« less
With songs that fall exactly in between Michael Jackson's Off the Wall period and A Taste of Honey, Jamiroquai's Synkronized is a funk-disco inferno that is distinguished from its 1970s counterparts only by its 1990s production. It contains all the same ingredients: wah-wah guitar, electric piano, soft-sided strings oozing out melody, pot-bellied bass, and a blasted-out horn section that evokes images of three guys stepping in sync while their sequined flairs swipe over white patent-leather loafers. While the funk is steamy enough to flatten the tallest 'fro, Jay Kay's impeccable ability to emulate Stevie Wonder's vocals brings on the cool side. But the album isn't all about a time warp. Just when you think Jamiroquai isn't going to step a toe beyond 1978, "Supersonic," the seventh track, throws down an acid-house riff that works in didgeridoo and a synthed-out cow bell. "Where Do We Go from Here" rocks with a leap-frogging blues piano and tangy bongos. The album's grand finale, "King for a Day," is a regal rock-operatic excursion embellished with fully orchestrated piano and strings. Overall, this Jamiroquai jamfest is an irreplaceable summer-in-the-city album. --Beth Massa
"Jamiroquai was great @ Woodstock!!!!! Their new CD has more funk and is less experimental than "Travellin' w/o Moving." Although I'm not a big fan of disco, "Canned Heat" definitely has good vibes and kinda grows on you. "Black Capricorn Day" reminds me of Lenny Kravitz; it's pretty powerful. "Destitute Illusion" is good for an instrumental number and "Where Do We Go From Here" spices it up. My favorite tracks are "Planet Home" and "King for a Day." I love the bassline in "Planet Home" and it's not lacking in any of the songs, Nick Fyffe does a good job. "King for a Day" is a nice dose of Gothic meets Acid Jazz, very cool. Even though "King 4 a Day" is meant as a personal message to Zender, it has the best set of lyrics in the album and the most riveting music. It should be the title track for a movie soundtrack.So if you're looking for something new or you just like Jamiroquai's Funk n Acid Jazz style, then go get this album. Just don't turn down this album because you're a Suburban Casualty, don't live n die in the norm...EXPERIMENT!"
The Lords of Funk Return Once Again
Luis Hernandez | New York, New York, USA | 08/05/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As the band's fourth studio effort, "Synkronized," truly validates Jamiroquai's status as the most popular and gifted soul group out there. Fresh from the success of their best selling "Travelling Without Moving" album, Jay Kay and his band return with a fresh sounding sound that no one can try to imitate.The first single "Canned Heat," is a high-tech, funk creation that brings the bands to their roots. Fast, beat-laden rhythms and Jay Kay's moving vocals made this song a hit during the summer of 1999. Other tracks such as "Planet Home," show how Jamiroquai is able to use various international musical styles (in this case their use of salsa in the third-quarter of the song) really can rock a crowd without them really knowing what they are hearing.Other songs as "Supersonic" and "Butterfly" are some of the album's great tracks, however unlike their previous album, this album is short on songs that made "Travelling Without Moving" such a huge international hit. Nevertheless, "Synkronized" is an awesome album. Give this and all of Jamiroquai's albums a try, and I can guarantee that you'll become bonafide fans. No one can resist the power and sound of Jamiroquai."
Hmmm...
Luis Hernandez | 11/10/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I had bought all three of Jamiroquai's other albums. Emergency on Planet Earth - great. Return Of The Space Cowboy - even greater. Travelling Without Moving - mindblowing. Synkronized - disappointing. I had bought this album knowing what to expect from Jay Kay, you know, the usual funky stuff. Synkronized had this stuff, but just didn't fulfill the extreme funkiness that Travelling Without Moving had. It's a bit of a shame really. I suppose that there are a few standout tracks, like Falling and Canned Heat, but the rest really don't catch me. I still rather listen to Travelling Without Moving than Synkronized. Sorry Jay, it's not your day..."
The review.
*divastar* | Charlotte, NC USA | 10/12/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"i used to work in a beauty shop and every so often i would pop this cd into the disc changer and it would hang out for weeks. jamiroquai is like stevie wonder on acid; he takes me back to my nonstop dancing days and this album rocks, from beginning to end. it's my favorite of all his albums. i highly recommend it."