LateNightTales: Jamiroquai

Album cover

LateNightTales: Jamiroquai is the fourth compilation album in Jamiroquai's discography and the tenth installment in the Late Night Tales series, released November 10th, 2003. It is composed of 18 tracks, 17 of them being selected by Jay Kay and 1 spoken word track narrated by Brian Blessed.

Background

LateNightTales (previously known as Another Late Night) is an ongoing series of artist-curated compilation albums released by Azuli Records. The compilations are mixed individually by the artist selected to their liking and created into 1 whole continuous mix in order to create the "ultimate late-night mix". These compilations will usually end with a spoken word narration of a story, either in parts or a short story. Most of the time these albums will also contain an exclusive cover done by the artist. These compilations are known for its rich selection and quality covers, dubbed "The Rolls-Royce of compilations"

Jay Kay would be selected as the 10th artist for the series, dubbed their biggest artist selected yet. The compilation gravitates more to soul, funk, disco, jazz, and folk songs each from different artists to fit a Jamiroquai-esque style.

"So what we have here is a mix that betrays the Jamiroquai roots; a weekender veteran's delight, if you like. You can almost hear the rustle of the plastic sandals. With the inclusion of Marvin's pointed alimony payment to his erstwhile wife (hence the title), the mood rises and falls throughout the mix. A pair of covers amply illustrate the point: Rufus & Chaka's rollicking rendition of 'Once You Get Started, followed later by Señor Feliciano's peerless reading of the Mamas & Papas California Dreamin', a perfectly wistful interlude." - Bill Brewster

Tracklist

There are several variations of the tracklist, but standard versions follow as shown below

1. Happiness (The Pointer Sisters)
2. Girl I Think The World About You (The Commodores)
3. Once You Get Started (Rufus & Chaka Khan)
4. Fantasy (Johnny 'Hammond' Smith)
5. Whisper Zone (Ramsey Lewis)
6. What's Your Name (Leon Ware)
7. Stay Free (Ashford & Simpson)
8. Tonight's The Night (Kleeer)
9. I'll Never Forget (Dexter Wensel)
10. Pretty Baby (Sistser Sledge)
11. California Dreamin' (Jose Feliciano)
12. Here's To You (Skyy)
13. Life On Mars (Dexter Wensel)
14. Rainin' Through My Sunshine (The Real Thing)
15. Theme From Enter The Dragon (Main Title) (Lalo Schifrin)
16. Here, My Dear (Marvin Gaye)
17. Music Of The Earth (Patricie Rushen)
18. The White City Part 3 (Brian Blessed)

Songs

Happiness (The Pointer Sisters)

"Happiness", released early 1979 for their 1978 album, "Energy", is a song by The Pointer Sisters. Serving as the first track, it is a soul-pop track. Beginning as a piano-heavy song, it soon transforms into a groovy disco track. As Kay wrote, "...as an opening track, you can't improve on this." The track's elements allign heavily with Jamiroquai's Alright with it's drums and Kay's teenage years, having stuck with him throughout his whole life.

Girl, I Think The World About You (The Commodores)

Serving as the second track, "Girl, I Think The World About You" is a song released by The Commodores on their fourth album, "Hot On The Tracks". It is a primarily slow-funk track with it's blaring trumpet and eccentric vocal delivery. Described as "pure bass-driven funk" by Kay, it's highlights stem from it's sweet lyrics, chord progression, and in general being a "classic tune".

Once You Get Started (Rufus & Chaka Khan)

"Once You Get Started" is the third track of the compilation and the lead single to Rufus & Chaka Khan's album "Rufusized". The track kicks in with a horn-driven funk tune, with vocals from both Chaka Khan and Tony Maiden. Described by Kay as an example that funk doesn't always have to be heavy, with "a classic simple funk groove.". Rufus & Chaka Khan have been noted to be a key influence for Jay Kay, giving him a blueprint for the Jamiroquai band's funk instromentation and soulful lyrics.

Fantasy (Johnny "Hammond" Smith)

The fourth track, "Fantasy" by Johnny "Hammond" Smith off his album "Gears" is an 8 minute jazz-funk track. The track is primarily driven by its Hammond keyboard and drum driven intro, with other powering instruments such as additional guitars and piano. Kay had seemingly wrote that Smith was the reason why he's in buisness which does has some evidence to it. The band's debut single When You Gonna Learn? contains a thank you to Smith for allowing clearance to the chord progression in the chorus, which bares a striking resemblence to Smith's track "Los Conquistadores Chocolates" off "Gears".

Whisper Zone (Ramsey Lewis)

"Whisper Zone" is the fifth track off the compilation along as the first track to jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis' 1980 album "Routes". It is a piano heavy instrumental track that spans around 3 minutes. Kay notes its usage of reverb, pointing out once again that funk doesn't have to be hard. Kay as well labels the song as a key track of the 80's sound, before the era of synths.

What's Your Name (Leon Ware)

The sixth track "What's Your Name" was originally released off Leon Ware's ablum "Inside Is Love". The track is yet another horn-driven tune that as well contains both elements of funk and R&B. KAy describes the track as a "sweet" and "pure" saying quote. "...it just get's me so excited listening to tracks like these."

Stay Free (Ashford & Simpson)

"Stay Free" is the seventh track of the compilation and the second track of the duo's 1979 album of the same name. It is a disco-R&B heavy track with a complex, deep melody and chord structure as described by Kay.