Emergency On Planet Earth

Performer: Jamiroquai
Artist: Simon Bartholomew; Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra
Engineer: Mike Nielson; Mark McGuire; Mike Nielsen
Producer: J K; Mike Nielson; Toby Smith; J.K. Lewis; Jason Kay; Mike Nielsen; T. Smith
Distributor: Sony Music Distribution (

Notes: Personnel: Jay Kay (vocals); Glenn Nightingale, Gavin Dodds, Simon Bartholomew (guitar); Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra (strings); Mike Smith, Gary Barnacie (flute, saxophone); Wallis Buchanan (didjeridoo); John Thirkell (trumpet); Richard Edwards (trombone); Toby Smith (keyboards); Stuart Zender, Andrew Levy (bass); Nick Van Gelder (drums); Kofi Kari Kari, Maurizio (percussion); D.J. Zire (DJ); Linda Lewis, Vanessa Simon (background vocals). Includes liner notes by Jay Kay. Composers: Nick Van Gelder; Toby Smith; Wallis Buchanan; Jason Kay. Personnel: Glenn Nightingale, Gavin Dodds, Simon Bartholomew (guitar); Jono, Gavin Edmonds (strings); Gary Barnacie, Gary Barnacle, Mike Smith (flute, saxophone); Wallis Buchanan (didjeridu); John Thirkell (trumpet); Richard Edwards (trombone); Toby Smith (keyboards); Nick Van Gelder (drums); Maurizio Ravalio, Kofi Karikari, Maurizio (percussion); DJ Dzire, DJ Zire (turntables); J.K. Lewis, Vanessa Simon, Jason Kay, Linda Lewis (background vocals). Audio Mixers: Mike Nielson ; Jason Kay; Mark McGuire; Mike Nielsen. Liner Note Author: Jason Kay. Illustrator: James Marsh. Unknown Contributor Role: The Reggae Philharmonic Strings. Arrangers: Jono; Gavin Edmonds; Toby Smith; J.K. Lewis; Jason Kay. Jamiroquai's debut brings together a utopian worldview, funky '70s R&B influences and the liberated sensibility of England's burgeoning acid-jazz movement. The band, led by singer Jason "Jay" Kay, rides a funky groove while spreading a message of peace, love and environmental conscientiousness. The results of this meeting of heart and head range from Brazilian-flavored instrumentals like "Music Of The Mind" to to songs like "If I Like It, I Do It," on which yesterday's jazzy soul is spun around on today's hip-hoppy turntables. Jamiroquai also flexes its improvisational muscle on two songs that clock in at over eight minutes. On "Blow Your Mind," Kay scats like George Benson, and the band captures the funky flow of "Summer Madness"-era Kool & The Gang. "Revolution 1993" is a 10-minute vamp on self-determination, featuring an Afro-Caribbean rhythm, Herbie Mann-inspired flute, a raging Moog synthesizer and the darting strings of the Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra.

Entertainment Weekly (8/13/93, p.74) - "...turn out gritty organic grooves with enthusiasm..." Rating: B+ Q (3/01, p.124) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...A funky and beautiful record, a contender for best British soul album of the '90s, and frankly better than anything Stevie Wonder has made since HOTTER THAN JULY..."

Led by the flamboyant Jason "Jay" Kay, Jamiroquai is a U.K.-based funk group that emerged from London in the early 1990s. By combining bouncy soul rhythms with acid jazz, hip-hop, and world music, the group created a distinctive sound that elevates Jay Kay's Stevie Wonder-like voice to higher ground. Though initial media coverage focused on Kay's Wonder-isms and his car collection, Jamiroquai's mid-'90s albums countered most criticism with a set of serious grooves.

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