Jamiroquai
Synkronized

THE REVIEW

We are in the year 1999, a truly prolific year for international music. In mid-May, the echoing new song by "Jamiroquai," "Canned Heat," begins to be heard on all the radios around the world and its video is aired countless times on MTV. And almost a month later, in the early days of summer, "Synkronized," the fourth album by Jason Kay and his bandmates, is released.

This album was supposed to be released in 1998, with the same lineup that had recorded the best-selling "Travelling Without Moving," but the bassist at the time, the great and elusive Stuart Zender, told dear Jay (a few months before the album's release) that he would leave the band afterward and did not intend to tour with them due to the excessive stress. Jason turned against him, and there was an intense quarrel between the two, which ended with the following result: Jason did not pay royalties to Zender and decided to completely redo the album from scratch (to the astonishment of the band), choosing Nick Fyffe as the replacement bassist. Before re-recording the album, the single soundtrack for "Godzilla," "Deeper Underground," was released (in its video, the monster emerges from the cinema screen, and Jay starts dancing amidst the panic and destruction). This will be the last song released and recorded by Jamiroquai with Zender, and his last performance with the band will be on Top Of The Pops on July 23, 1998, with this very song.

However, in the end (after digesting the departure of the former bassist), the much-awaited "Synkronized" was released on June 14, 1999. A big challenge for the group, which is called to replicate the great success (especially in the USA) of "Travelling Without Moving." The album combines Pop, Funk, and Electronic Music. This is particularly evident in tracks like "Planet Home" (which also features a bit of salsa after the chorus), "Destitute Illusions," and "Supersonic."

The first track (the already mentioned single "Canned Heat") is a dance song (as repeated in the song itself), very danceable, accompanied by a fantastic video where Jason showcases all his eccentric dancing skills. There's little Acid Jazz and many synthesizers, as can be heard in track number 2, "Planet Home." The second single from this album (and released only in the USA) is "Black Capricorn Day." Many fans dislike it, but to me, it is a beautiful song (even if it is slightly too long). The fourth track is a little gem to listen to live; it is still beautiful. It's called "Soul Education" and has a fantastic lyric, and for its beauty, if I had been in charge, I would have chosen it as the 3rd video instead of "Supersonic." "Falling" is a love song by Jay dedicated to his girlfriend at the time.

The CD then deteriorates (so to speak) with the tracks "Destitute Illusions" and "Supersonic." The first is an entirely instrumental track (even if at the beginning Jay says: "You may think you're in heaven") and will also be the band's last, while the second is the third single and the last track played by Buchanan with the band featuring the didgeridoo. Essentially, two truly... evocative songs. The album then continues with "Butterfly" (whose live version at Montreux Jazz Festival 2003 I still want to listen to!!!!!!!) and "Where Do We Go From Here," a track where rhythm reigns supreme (a small note, unfortunately, they never played it live, damn!!!!!!!). It finishes with the fourth single "King For A Day." It features beautiful string sections that make it a Wagnerian piece. The album also includes as a Bonus Track the previously mentioned single from the previous year "Deeper Underground," where a driving rock melody made with the synth makes it astounding live (in fact, along with the magnificent "Space Cowboy" and "Love Foolosophy," it is always part of the band's live performances).

An album that once again marks the poppization of the band due to the excessive pressure exerted by the hated record companies. An album without Acid Jazz or Soul, yet it is very danceable. I still wonder where the legendary tracks thrown away after the fierce fight between Jay and Zender went. Well, anyway, that's water under the bridge because today Jamiroquai is such a certain reality in music that they don't need anything to write beautiful songs.

I heard they are in the studio this summer recording new tracks. Let's hope they're great!!!! Dear Jamiri... Amaze us!!!