Jamiroquai
's sophomore record had all the slinky grooves and great musicianship of the debut, but it also offered a better set of songs and more ambitious musical themes. As with
Emergency on Planet Earth
,
Jason Kay
's dead-on impression of
Stevie Wonder
and
Sly Stone
drives the group's blend of acid jazz and funky R&B.
"Space Cowboy"
"Light Years"
were hits all over the world, and made the band stars in Europe and Japan, while substantial clubplay earned them a degree of recognition for American audiences. But
refused to be known as simply a party band; the group takes on social issues such as homelessness and Native Americans' rights. ~ John Bush