Jamiroquai - Automaton

For Jamiroquai fans this new album has been a long time coming. It has been 7 years since his last one. A lot has happened in the music world since then: Ed Sheeran has become one of the biggest stars on the planet and One Direction have been and gone (for now).

His biggest markets have been the UK, France and Japan and at the time of writing the lead single off the album Cloud 9 is just starting to make an impact in France, whilst in the UK Radio 2 seem to like the song.

The track itself is classic Jamiroquai "You pick me up and then you put me down" he sings, fortunately his fans have not deserted him: some introductory gigs in Paris and London sold out in a minute.

The cat with the hat is back and it is business as usual. The album starts off with Shake on It: the song is like he has never been away. A funky affair, yes there is still a bit of Stevie Wonder on the piano chords, whilst the vocal at times tends to veer to Daft Punk, no wonder the French like him. A brilliant start, you realise it was worth the wait.

The title track, Automaton is more Deeper Undergroundthan Space Cowboy if you get my drift. The soul is back on Superfresh. This could be the cousin to Cosmic Girl. With the vibe of Daft Punk and their hit Get Lucky, this is a thrilling disco ride.

One of the best tracks on the album is Summer Girl, think Seven Days in Sunny June and you will be on the right track. A breezy summer affair it will sound brilliant when the sun is shining high in a crystal blue sky.

I've never heard Limoncello mixed with the word fella, only Jay Kay could make it work. As tempting as a Limoncello on a hot balmy summer night in southern Italy, this track is so refreshing. File the track alongside other Jamiroquai classics like Mr Moon from the Space Cowboy album.

A nifty bass line takes Nights Out in the Jungle to another level, though I'm not too sure about the rapping. Dr Buzz keeps up that laid back summer feel on this soothing track.

Carla closes the album; he sings that he has given Carla everything. The track is a love song to his elder daughter. A superb end to a superb album.

4 out of 5.