JAMIROQUAI formed in 1992. Creating a massive underground buzz when their instant classic, "When You Gonna Learn?", was initialy released on London independent label, Acid Jazz. later that year. JAMIROQUAI had revitalised a club scene dominated by faceless back room boys and vocalists with personalities as disposable as their lyrics. Not only club goers but fans of soul, funk, disco - discerning music fans in general, knew they were onto something good. One record companyt bidding war later, JAMIROQUAI emerged with an eight album deal from S2 (Sony Music). All agreed they had the talent, individuality and appeal to sustain a long career.
Jason Kay, frontman - was loud, opinionated and controversial, but above all honest, at times a little too much so for his own good. A burst of blanket coverage in the media was followed by the release of the debut album "Emergency On Planet Earth" which crashed into the charts at number one in June 1993, soon making JAMIROQUAI the top selling British debut act of that year. "Emergency" has sold over 1/2 a million copies in the UK alone. The second album, "Return Of The Space Cowboy", confirmed that the soulful passion of their music had the strength to transcend boundaries of language and culture, outselling the first in territories such as Europe and Japan and going platinum in the UK. What emerges now that their third album is almost upon us is that JK is indeed an enduring talent and JAMIROQUAI has, without compromising their musical integrity, developed into a worldwide musical force to be reckoned with.
JAMIROQUAI has developed an electric following of many ages, lifestyles and musical preferences, drawn by the many facets of such a unique musical outfit. Style conscious clubbers appreciate the distinctive JAMIROQUAI sound, to be enjoyed whatever the prevailing trends. Top Ten tunes like "Too Young To Die", "Blow Your Mind" and "Return Of The Space Cowboy" still resound and rebound around the mind. The band are also one of the very few credible live acts to have risen from the club/dance scene, shunning the use of tapes and sequencers that have long tainted that arena. Playing live is central to JAMIROQUAI's philosophy and aspirations - they've major lined up all over the world for 1997, see our Tours page for details.
Written by Jamiroquai, produced by JK with Al Stone, "Travelling Without Moving'" finds 26 year old Kay and the boys producing their most accomplished and mature work thus far. The distinctive Jamiroquai lyrical and musical style is in clear evidence but sharper and more focused than before. Melodies ooze immovably into the mind and forays into new areas come to the fore on the hit jungle collaboration with M Beat, "Do You Know Where You're Coming From?", and the reggae tune (being remixed by the Mad Professor), "Driftin' Along". These are complimented by the rousing 90's disco of second Top Ten hit," Cosmic Girl", the party funk of "Alright" and the furious, percussive, horn laden "Use The Force"- composed for the Euro '96 compilation album.
UK Top 3 hit "Virtual Insanity" kicks off the album and encapsulates Jamiroquai: great rnelodies and thought provoking state-of-the-world lyrics. Drugs are tackled also on "High Times" and love is there in abundance, as on the R&B inflected 'Everyday" and the heartrending ballad "Spend A Lifetime". The trademark didgeridoo is back also, with didge-meister Wallis Buchannan checking in on two of the 12 tracks.
Jamiroquai are the only band out there doing what they do - they're not another band over egging the britpop cake- JK has the moves and grooves to give a big shout for the Brit-funk era - and in '97 the Jamiroquai groove just keeps on rising...
JAMIROQUAI ARE: JK-VOCALS; TOBY SMITH-KEYBOARDS; Stuart Zender - BASS; DERRICK McKENZIE-DRUMS: SIMON KATZ-GUITAR: WALLIS -DIDGERIDO. (taken from the official Uk Jamiroquai site)
