Dynamite

Jamiroquai, aka British-born Jay Kay, emerged from London’s acid jazz scene in the mid-'90s with an arrogant swagger, a ridiculous floppy hat, and the best Stevie Wonder impression you ever heard. Set against the grunge explosion of the time, Jamiroquai’s slick, danceable grooves were refreshing, if derivative. And for Jamiroquai, not much since has changed. Kay is still supernaturally obsessed with '70s soul music and can recreate it down to the last flared bellbottom. Of course, that means everything on Dynamite sounds like someone else: “Feel Like it Should” boasts an intergalactic funk stew that’d do George Clinton proud; the super-smooth soul shuffle “Seven Days in June” conjures a strong Earth, Wind & Fire vibe; sultry woodwinds and saxophones make “Talullah” sound like something that George Benson or Al Jarreau could’ve called their own. So maybe it fails as original, creative art. But as a warm, seductive slice of nostalgia, Dynamite works better than a pair of fishbowl platform shoes.