Travelling Without Moving

Editors’ Notes Along with cranking out another intergalactic soul-disco triumph, Jamiroquai furthers their quest into didgeridoo-dub. Before you can say, "Didgeridon't," give "Didjerama" and "Didjital Vibrations" a listen and just try not to slip into a smile-induced mellowness. Aside from the clouded cool of those two tracks, Jamiroquai's third album is paradoxically ahead of its time (1996) and yet tastefully retro. The recognizable hit "Virtual Insanity" opens the album with a stylish strut that continues to tip the oversized party hat to Innervisions-era Stevie Wonder while keeping the beats fresh, and the title track moves with an organ grinding groove that recalls Billy Preston in the early '70s. Lush string sections and heavenly backing harmonies flesh out Traveling Without Moving while booty shaking percussion and heavy keyboard rhythms make it impossible to sit still after hitting the play button. Vinyl hounds and audio obscurists will be pleased to find an Esther Phillips sample on the soul powered "High Times" as well as an Eddie Harris sample on the Moog laden "Alright." The smooth moving "Everyday" almost rivals Isaac Hayes' bygone bedtime ballads.