Well,I finally received my copy of the new Jamiroquai CD 'Dynamite'.It was released last Tuesday in most of the world,but it won't be released here in the States until the fall.I was forced to order an expensive Japanese import,which is ok with me because it does contain two bonus tracks.I've been listening to the album non-stop for the last couple of days,and these are my thoughts on each song...


"Feels Just Like It Should"---This is the first single.Boasting a harder-edged rock sound,this song takes Jamiroquai in a different direction.It's raunchy and funky,with an interesting bassline augmented by Jay's voice and a Vocoder.It's not a bad song,but I think it's a weak choice for the first single.As with other songs on the album,the lyrics are non-descript...it's the groove that pulls you in.

"Dynamite"---Now,this is the Jamiroquai that I love! This song makes me wanna put on a white Saturday Night Fever/John Travolta suit and go to a disco,lol.This song is pure disco,sounding as if it was recorded in the late 70s or early 80s.I like the "clean" production of this song...very stripped down and uncluttered,not unlike their 2001 hit "Little L".It's the catchiest track on the album,filled with memorable hooks.

"Seven Days In Sunny June"---the best song on the album.A true masterpiece.This is classic Jamiroquai.A breezy,midtempo song that grabs you and never lets go.With the proper promotion,this song could easily become a worldwide smash.Nice acoustic guitar and piano.The bass is played by Derrick McIntyre,the bassplayer for Roy Ayers.

"Electric Mistress"---I heard this song several weeks ago,and at first,I wasn't too thrilled with it.But now,I like it alot.A fast,electro-funk/disco number with a pulsating beat.Perfect for the clubs.The verses are excellent,but I think the chorus is weak.

"Starchild"---The "wah wah wah" guitar on this song sounds as if it was recorded in 1976,lol.Extremely funky track,with lyrics about money-hungry TV evangelists.Features a strong chorus.Starts off as a funk number,then quickly becomes more of a disco number,with lush strings and all.

"Love Blind"---starts off as a ballad,then transforms itself into a rock/funk workout.Cool song,but the tempo changes are mildly annoying.Midway through,it briefly slows down again to a ballad.Not a bad song,but not very memorable.

"Talullah"---a lovely slow jam with a slightly jazzy feel.Features nice sax and flute.Quiet Storm radio stations are gonna love this one.Jay's vocals on this song are superb,the best vocals on the album.The backing vocals are also noteworthy.

"(Dont) Give Hate A Chance"---a vibrant,anti-war disco number.A good track with a powerful message.

"World That He Wants"---the anti-war sentiment is displayed again on this haunting piano ballad.The bitter lyrics are directed at George W.Bush.It's okay,but not nearly as powerful and provocative as it could have been.

"Black Devil Car"---Wow!! The guys really rock out on this song.This is a surprise.It's a fast,relentless track with very clever lyrics and cool guitar work from Rob Harris.I can't get the hook out of my head ("she's just a love machine....she's just a love machine"...).Raunchy and fun,this is one of the album's highlights.

"Hot Tequila Brown"---I love this one! The lyrics are supposed to be very personal and introspective,but I can't seem to figure out exactly what Jay is talking about,lol.But the song's arrangement is bright and lively,with nice guitar work from Rob Harris.A potential single.

"Time Won't Wait"---another fast disco number with a timely message.The chorus is very good,but the song doesn't really go anywhere.Mediocre at best.

"Feels So Good (Knee Deep Remix)---oddly,the Japanese import closes with a remix of a song from the last album.It's a decent remix,but nothing special.It would have made more sense to include the excellent Mark Ronson remix of "Feels Just Like It Should" as a bonus track.



So,here's the deal...'Dynamite' is a very,very good album.It's not nearly as powerful as the last album ('A Funk Odyssey'),but there are enough solid jams here to satisfy fans.This is a great summer album,the songs are bright and vibrant.Some of these songs should do well in the clubs.There's only one track that I would consider to be a "classic",and that is "Seven Days In Sunny June".I give the album three and a half stars out of 5.



Potential singles: "Seven Days In Sunny June","Black Devil Car","Hot Tequila Brown" and the title track

[Edited 7/1/05 6:06am]

DavidEye said:

Great review. I'm loving the album

Jealous at the extra tracks

PANDURITO said:

Does your copy of the CD end with "Hot Tequila Brown"?

DavidEye said:

This is my favorite by far off the album.

minneapolisgenius said:

this song ROCKS!!!


"strapped down,wrapped around,breaking up the speed limits
red lights,crazy nights,hope she's coming back with it"

I still have to get the album, I have all their other albums. all the reviews I have read in the press have been really bad, they said it sounds like everything else they have ever done. quasi - stevie wonder impersanation.
still I will check it out because a Stevie Wonder impersanation is much better than alot of orginal music i have been hearing

twink69 said:

Yeah,the reviews have been lukewarm at best Check out this one...

Melbourne Herald Sun---

New single "Feels Just Like It Should" is Jamiroquai's biggest diversion from his trademark coffee-table disco funk since the primal "Deeper Underground".Yet beyond that,Dynamite is Jamiroquai on auto-pilot.There's no killer single a la "Little L","Virtual Insanity" or "Canned Heat",but plenty of imitations of them.Even the titles ("Starchild,"Black Devil Car") sound familiar,while the disco-by-numbers (wah wah guitar,bubbling bass,dancing strings,obligatory space references in the lyrics) must bore even Jay Kay by now.At least "Seven Days In Sunny June" mines a more chilled groove and "Electric Mistress" is a dose of mayhem to add the one thing Dynamite otherwise lacks: surprise

I agree with most of your review.The first three songs are ace.Seven Days.. should be the next single.The middle part of the CD I don't care for too much, but it picks up at "Don't give Hate a Chance". A solid album 3 out of 5 stars from me.

PhilG said:

"Seven Days" is just heavenly....gorgeous melody and arrangement.

A few more observations and comments...


***in the liner notes,Jay has a strong message to George W.Bush: "I would not like to thank George W.Bush who continues to mess up our world"


***weeks ago,we heard about a rumored bonus track called "Beatbox",but it doesn't appear on my Japanese import.Has anyone heard this track? Does it even exist?

***does anyone know what "Electric Mistress" is all about? Who is Pretty Polly?

***speaking of lyrics,I gotta admit that there are some cheesy lyrics on some of these songs ("you got the shake and I got the fries")...lol...Jay's songwriting is sometimes messy and unfocused.This album is all about the grooves,with the lyrics taking a backseat this time around.

***the next time someone makes a movie that takes place in the 70s (particularly the disco era),they really should ask Jamiroquai to do the soundtrack.These guys are genuises when it comes to making that type of music.They totally use an effective "old school approach" to making music,acting as if we never left the late 70s,lol.

***But they did want rapper Nas to appear on this album.

From your review, some of the tracks sound very appealing to me. I will definately be on the lookout for this one this fall.

By the way, that damn record store by my house does not have even one Jamiroquai album. I hate to drive across town but, after hearing more and more good reviews of Jamaroquai going disco, it may be worth it.

vainandy said:

I know you will like the album because the songs are fast,just like in the old days.None of that midtempo R&B bullshit here,lol.

Am I the only one who didn't pay attn after Syncronized? Hell after Traveling without moving I was pretty unimpressed....and that's after being REALLY impressed with them whole heartedly.

I want the Space Cowboy to return.

superspaceboy said:

For me,it was the 'Synchronized' album that turned me into a fan.I had never even heard any of their earlier material.But I went back and bought all the albums.I still think 'A Funk Odyssey' is their best work.

Feel just like it should, Dynamite, Starchild, & 7 days in sunny June are currently my favorites..

I've only heard 7 days in sunny june,black devil car and feels just like it should.

I am extremly obsessed with Jamiroquai[I<3Jay Kay!]

But I'm so upset that it's coming out in fall..GRRR.
I was looking forward to it...

roddiekay said:

If you don't wanna wait until the fall,you can always order an import copy.At TowerRecords.com,they have import copies available for only $14.24.Presumbly,this is the 11-track UK copy.If you don't mind spending a little more,you can order the Japanese import which includes two bonus tracks.

its not nearly as good as the last one, which i really liked. it does seem more akin to Funk Odyssey than previous albums tough, hes definitely growing.
it sounds like a half arsed job if im brutally honest. seven days in sunny june is a nice wee song, its happy! feels just like it should is without a doubt the best song on the cd. apart from that the others dont really do much for me. but im sure ill still listen to it non stop until they do!!!

DavidEye said:

you mean: once again.....

abierman said:

Not at all.The lyrics on the last album are excellent.Songs like "Picture Of My Life" and "Corner Of The Earth" are deeply personal and introspective.Other songs,like "Little L" and "Love Foolosophy",are also well-written,catchy and filled with strong hooks.Jay Kay is a terrific songwriter,but on this new album,it seems like he was more concerned with the grooves and spent less time on the lyrics.One exception is "Seven Days In Sunny June",which is beautifully written and composed.

susannah said:

I find that,the more I listen to this CD,the more I like/appreciate it.I don't think it's as powerful as 'A Funk Odyssey',but there's alot to enjoy here.I'm thrilled with it.I just hope they don't take another four or five years to release a follow-up

DavidEye said:

totally!!!!
great bands are so few and far between these days and I need something to keep me going!
At least we can rest assured that theyve still got 4 albums left in their contract, so they will arrive eventually!

one thing I really love about Jamiroquai is that their music is very bass-driven and groove-oriented....very much like late 70s funk and R&B.And I don't mean the fake,synthetic bass that you hear on so much of today's R&B (R.Kelly,Mario,etc).These guys utilize real old school bass!! In fact,several songs on the new album feature the distinctive bass work by Roy Ayer's bassist Derrick McIntyre.

DavidEye said:

Probably the only reason i got into Jamiroquai was bass! they be just so funkay

susannah said:

the basslines on this album are mindblowing

I dont think ive paid them attention yet then....only listened a few times while doing other things, should really concentrate on it!

susannah said:

Put this CD on and play it really loud

DavidEye said:

It was loud!
Just I was in the other room doing the dishes at the time!!!
Dont worry I will...

I've had the CD for only one week,and already my girlfriend is threatening to kick me out the house.I play it constantly....and VERY loud too

I would play it constantly but my (crap) excuse is that im packing to move and way too busy! Ill get there in the end!