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Since last year’s surprisingly experimental electro-funk Synchronized, it seems Jay Kay and company really want to take it up an even bigger notch with A Funk Odyssey. We’re talkin’ more experimental, fucked up shit here. Ya see, Jamiroquai hasn’t lost the funk. He’s merely evolved it. Whereas Space Cowboy and Planet Earth were dancing extravaganzas, A Funk Odyssey keeps you guessing most of the time. Is he gonna go mid-tempo here? What, he’s using bongo drums? What’s next, the xylophone? A song like “Corner Of The Earth” shows the boo-hoo, super sensitive Jay Kay side that loves bossa nova music. It’s mid-tempo, Brazilified and totally unfunky. But spin over to the disco-enhanced lead-off single “Little L” and there’s a party on the go! The song puts you on such a high that once its over you’re waiting for the next hit to keep your head bobbing. Fans of the old-school Jamiroquai funk will eat up “Love Foolosophy,” but they’ll be completely befuddled by “Twenty Zero One” where Jay sounds like Minnie Mouse. Electro-funk is one thing, but helium-funk? A Funk Odyssey might not be a recipe for success like Travelling Without Moving or Synkronized was, but add some disco, bossa nova, Latin rhythms and crazy-assed electronic funk and this isn’t such a bad concoction after all. Shove the disco ball back in the closet for now.
- Detroit Grand Pubahs — Funk All Y’all
- Jamiroquai Brings Funk Odyssey To Canada
- Johnnie Taylor — Funk Soul Brother
- Powderfinger — Odyssey Number Five
- Funkmaster Flex – The Mix Tape, Vol. IV: 60 Minutes of Funk
