Dynamite (Jamiroquai album)


Dynamite is the sixth studio album by English funk and acid jazz band Jamiroquai. It was released on 15 June 2005 in Japan, 20 June 2005 in the United Kingdom, 21 July 2005 in Australia, and 20 September 2005 in the United States. It is the band's first album to feature keyboardist Matt Johnson, who joined the band in 2002. This is also Jamiroquai's only album without an official bassist, as Nick Fyffe left the band prior to the recording sessions, while Paul Turner joined the band following the album's completion and release.

Album information

The album was released after the 2004 film Napoleon Dynamite featured the Jamiroquai song "Canned Heat" in its climactic dance scene. "Feels Just Like It Should" was the first single, reaching No. 8 in its first week on the UK charts. It has since become a No. 1 hit on the Billboard dance charts in the United States. The single was also certified Gold in Japan for selling 100,000 copies. The second single, "Seven Days in Sunny June", was released in the UK in August 2005, peaking at No. 14 on the UK Singles Chart. The song also features in the film The Devil Wears Prada. On 7 November 2005, " Give Hate A Chance" was released as the third single from the album. The politically driven video for the track was Jamiroquai's first animated clip; it features a Buffalo Man, complete with buffalo-horned hat, sunglasses, and tracksuit. The clip helped the track score Top 20 showings in UK charts such as the Smash Hits and Hit40UK charts, both of which take in radio and video airplay as well as sales. The track reached No. 27 on the official UK Singles Chart. The album was recorded in many locations, including singer Jay Kay's personal Chillington Studios.

Reception

The album peaked at No. 3 in the United Kingdom, becoming the first Jamiroquai album to chart outside the top two spots. Uncut gave the album 3 out of 5 stars, claiming "Jay Kay returns with another blast of super-slick soul". Vibe wrote that "The space cowboys return with a vengeance, sounding funky as ever."

Track listing

  1. "Dynamite in Enhanced Stereo" – 54:59
  2. "Feels Just Like It Should" – 4:34
  3. "Seven Days in Sunny June" – 3:59
  4. "Feels Just Like It Should" – 22:59
  1. "Don't Give Hate a Chance"
  2. "Don't Give Hate a Chance"
  3. "Don't Give Hate a Chance"
  4. "Seven Days in Sunny June"
  5. "Seven Days in Sunny June"
  6. "Seven Days in Sunny June"
  7. "Feels Just Like It Should"
  8. "Feels Just Like It Should"
Note: "Time Won't Wait" was not on the initial European and Australian release; in most regions, it was later added as a standard track. Additionally, some CD-r promos of the album include the track "Beatbox" as Track 12.

Personnel

Adapted credits from the liner notes of Dynamite.

Jamiroquai
  • Jay Kay – lead vocals, backing vocals, synthetic bass vocals, backing vocal arrangements
  • Rob Harris – guitar
  • Matt Johnson – keyboards, piano, synthesizer bass, Fender Rhodes piano
  • Derrick McKenzie – drums, additional hi-hat percussion
  • Sola Akingbola – percussion
Additional musicians
  • Alex Meadows – bass
  • Derrick McIntyre – bass additional bass
  • Randy Hope-Taylor – bass, additional bass
  • Miaer Lloyd aka DJ Snare – scratch DJ
  • Nathan Haines – flute, saxophone
  • Benjamin Wright – string section leader, string arrangements, brass section leader, brass arrangements
  • Mike Spencer – music programming
  • Bridgette Blades – backing vocals
  • Alexandra Brown – backing vocals
  • Vann Johnson – backing vocals
  • Samantha Smith – backing vocals
  • Valerie Etienne – backing vocals
  • Hazel Fernandez – backing vocals
  • Audrey Martells – backing vocals
Technical
  • Mike Spencer – producer, engineer, audio mixing
  • Jay Kay – producer, artwork
  • Rick Pope – recording engineer
  • Reginald Dozier – recording engineer
  • Nick Ferrero – recording engineer
  • Pablo Arraya – additional recording engineer
  • Richard Bignell – additional recording engineer
  • Tom Coyne – mastering
  • Charlie Lightening – photography

    Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications