A Funk Odyssey  (Audio CD) 
by Jamiroquai

After scoring the crossover hit "Virtual Insanity" in 1998 (remember the moving sidewalk video?), the U.K.'s Jamiroquai failed to keep their momentum alive with the somewhat scattered and skittish Synkronized. Thankfully for fans of the retro (if lightweight) pop/soul that is the band's specialty, Jamiroquai are back with their most cohesive effort since 1995's Return of the Space Cowboy. There's still too much blathering on about the cosmos from Stevie Wonder-inspired vocalist Jason Kay, the most egregious example being the subdued and folksy "Black Crow," which takes the bird-in-flight cliché to new lows. Better and much more rugged are the sizzling synth-driven "2001" and the guitar-stoked rave-up "Stop! Don't Panic." That's where the guys bring the funk with more bite than you'd expect. --Amy Linden