Product Description

Following up a debut, EMERGENCY ON PLANET EARTH, that bubbled over with soul, funk and outrageous acid-jazz rhythms, RETURN OF THE SPACE COWBOY brings the tempo down a notch, without losing any of its funky musical edge (or any of its idealistic lyrical flow). Singer Jason "Jay" Kay's vocals maintain the smooth manner of Stevie Wonder and Al Green, as demonstrated on "Stillness In Time", which evokes the Brazilian grooves of Antonio Carlos Jobim, and on the quiet-storm-like title track. Wallis Buchanan's didgeridoo, a Jamiroquai trademark, returns particularly strongly on "Journey To Arnhemland", which sounds like the theme from an Aboriginal blaxploitation flick.
Lest this become a totally low-key affair, a handful of tracks guarantee Jamiroquai isn't faking the funk. "The Kids" opens up the band's sound with greasy wah-wahguitar, punchy horns and a bouncy Moog synthesiser. Live and studio versions of "Light Years" mix in equal amounts Parliament-Funkadelic and Earth, Wind & Fire, guaranteeing hoursof head-bopping and toe-tapping.

Track Listing

1. Just Another Story
2. Stillness In Time
3. Half The Man
4. Light Years
5. Manifest Destiny
6. Kids
7. Mr Moon
8. Scam
9. Journey To Arnhemland
10. Morning Glory
11. Space Cowboy

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4875 in Music
• Released on: 2001-12-10
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
Jamiroquai have soundly established themselves as a name synonymous with the summer breeze sound they've claimed as their own. Space Cowboy is no exception, as the salsa jazz-fusion buzzes wistfully and harmoniously through every track on the album. Following the path laid out in Emergency On Planet Earth, this second album catapulted the band into stardom and left front man Jay Kay dancing to songs of admiration as the first self-appointed Space Cowboy. The title track epitomises the essence of big band dance music with a funky fresh vibe of feel good energy and toe-tapping excitement. Although the album lacks any big surprises, the definitive Jamiroquai sound captures mind, body and soul, making it difficult for any music lover to ignore. --David Trueman

Customer Reviews

The best Jamiroquai album so far
This is by far the best album Jamiroquai have written. It came at a time when Jamiroquai had it's finest line-up of band members inc Jay, Toby, Wallis & Stuart. This album builds on Emergency On Planet Earth's Acid Jazz vibes and takes it to another level. Many of the tracks are very mellow, but in Scam and Just Another Story we hear some real serious, almost angry, funk. This album also includes perhaps the most classic Jamiroquai track: Space Cowboy, available here in it's full album version glory -far more musically interesting than the somewhat more radio friendly version that was released as a single. This album also includes one of the finest performances of the genre on bass guitar by Stuart Zender. If you are a music lover and like good grooves, funk, or any form of jazz, you owe it to yourself to buy this album.

Jamiroquai at the very best
Its 2004, and for some reason I have never reviewed this Jamiroquai album. I don't know why as is it perhaps the best out of all five.

A musical masterpiece is all I can describe it as. So many different sounds, mixed with some clever and poinent lyrics.

The album starts off with "Just Another Story" which is all about lead singer Jay Kay, and his life so far. The line
" He was just 17 trying to get on like his dead brother" is one that strikes you straight away.
Its musically top notch, with the trumpets blasting, the flute swaying and Kay's voice flowing.
Track 2 is "Stillness in Time" which is beautiful track. This was a single back in 94' and the video (although rarly seen on tv) looks as fresh as anything you would see today.
"Half The Man" is track 3 and one of the best Jamiroquai tracks of all time in my opinion, defaintly the most overlooked. Lyricall, this song is up there with any 'classic' love song yet radio will not play it. Soulful sound.

"Light Years" changes the sound yet again on the 4th track. A great feel good track, which shows yet again to the listener that this album isn't just about one sound as many ingnorant Jamiroquai listeners may think.
Track 5, is "Manifest Destiny". A very cool track, and perhaps the most laid back track on the album.
"The Kids" is number 6. And the album goes up a notch in the funk stakes. This is just musically fantastic, which fast flowing lyrics. The most upbeat track on here. This track makes buying this album worth it for this one alone!!
"Mr Moon" is track 7, and my favourite on this album. Perhaps my favourite Jamiroquai track of all time, along with "Blow Your Mind" from the first album. Not released as a single, which is suprising to me as this has a very catchy chourus and a very funky tune. I urge you when buying this album, to go straight to this track, and listen for a few times. It will not dissapoint.
"Scam" (track 8) is one which is a favourite for the old skool Jamiroquai fans. Its actually got most things which are so great about this funk outfit. The old skool disco feel, the lyrics that make you think, the amazing use of different instruments. 'Scam' completes in my opinion the bulk of 3 great tracks on this set - 6,7 and 8. Not a skippable tune among them.
Track 10 is an instrumental tune - "Journey to Arnhemland"
Every album has a track where your finger cannot stop it self from pressing the skip button. This is this track.
Track 10 cannot be called complete instrumental as there are some lyrics, but not many. "Morning Glory" is far superior to "Journey to Arnhemland", but It wouldn't suprise me if some of you were again reaching for the skip button. Very chilled track though and I love it.
The final track on the album, you will all be saying "they have saved the best till last". Yes, its "Space Cowboy". This is the original and the best version. There is a decent remix which is the one radio still plays today, but this is the original, emotional, superior version. A song which has a simple theme - Cannibis. Most people know this song and sing the first line of the chorus loudly "This is the return of the space cowboy" and then murmer to themselves as they have never actuallyt listened to what Jay is saying!
Basically, as most of you Jamiroquai fans will know, its about the feel good factor of this drug. "Maybe i'm gonna have to get high just to get by" - are the words from My Kay. I wouldn't go along with them myself!!
Superb track though,and one for the greatest hits package in a few years time.

Overall
Return of the Space cowboy is possibly the best Jamiroquai album. The first two sets are always talked about as being "Real Jamiroquai". And with a new album to come out within 5 months, it would be great to see them go back to this style.

A Classic
I've only just started listening to Jamiroquai again recently, but as soon as I stuck this CD on, all of the good times came flooding back.

This is probably the best album Jamiroquai have produced, as there isn't a single track that I skip when I listen to it, unlike tracks such as "Supersonic" etc, which features on "Synkronized".

Every track has been masterfully produced by Jay Kay and Co, featuring some of the funkiest basslines ever laid down as well as some ultra-smooth vocals from the main man. The entire album is also complimented by some excellent synth work, which rather than stand out from the other instruments, blend in nicely.

Even though I like every track, my particular favourites are: "Just Another Story", the first track and a masterpiece of varied styles, "Mr Moon", a chilled kick-back tune, "Scam", an ultra-energetic dancefloor track and "Space Cowboy", perhaps one of the greatest songs of all time, with amazing singing and instrument/synthesizer music, pure class.

So overall, this is one of my favourite albums of all time and if you have only recently started listening to Jamiroquai then get this in!