Emergency on Planet Earth

Emergency on Planet Earth
Studio album by Jamiroquai
Released	17 May 1993 (1993-05-17) (UK) 10 August 1993 (1993-08-10) (US)
Recorded	1993
Genre	Acid jazz, Funk
Length	55:22 (CD) 64:09 (vinyl)
Label	Sony Soho Square (UK) Columbia (US)
Producer	Mike Nielsen
Professional reviews
Allmusic link
Jamiroquai chronology
Emergency on Planet Earth (1993) The Return of the Space Cowboy (1994)

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Emergency on Planet Earth is the debut album of the band Jamiroquai.

Released in 1993, this debut album features strong elements of the mixture of the R&B, and funk genres, but it is notable for being one of the definitive acid-jazz albums. The recurring theme on the album deals with lyrics about world issues and self-consciousness, along with several jazz instrumentals that made the album a success in the band's native country, the UK.

Album information

It has since become uncommon in the United States but remains a classic in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. The album produced several well-received singles, including "Too Young To Die" and "Blow Your Mind".

In the game Secret Files: Tunguska, a CD case of this album can be spotted on a desk in an office. [1]

The album was listed in the music reference book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

Reception

Entertainment Weekly (13 August 1993, p.74) - "...turn out gritty organic grooves with enthusiasm..." Rating: B+

Q (March 2001, p.124) - 4 stars out of 5 - "A funky and beautiful record, a contender for best British soul album of the '90s, and frankly better than anything Stevie Wonder has made since Hotter Than July."

Track listing

CD release

1. "When You Gonna Learn (Didgeridoo)" – 3:50
2. "Too Young to Die" – 6:05
3. "Hooked Up" – 4:35
4. "If I Like It I Do It" – 4:53
5. "Music of the Mind" – 6:22
6. "Emergency on Planet Earth" – 4:05
7. "Whatever It Is, I Just Can't Stop" – 4:07
8. "Blow Your Mind" – 8:32
9. "Revolution 1993" – 10:16
10. "Didgin' Out" – 2:37

2xLP release

Side A

1. When You Gonna Learn (JK Mix) – 6:21
2. Too Young to Die – 10:12

Side B

1. Hooked up – 4:35
2. If I Like it, I Do It – 6:54
3. Music of the Mind – 6:22

Side C

1. Emergency on Planet Earth – 4:13
2. Whatever It Is, I Just Can't Stop – 4:07
3. Blow Your Mind – 8:32

Side D

1. Revolution 1993 – 10:16
2. Didgin' Out – 2:37

Note: This double LP release of the record labels the tracks 1 and 2 as "Extended J.K. mixes" while tracks 4 and 6 are simply labelled as extended mixes. Despite that labelling, the songs are not 'extended' but unedited recordings. None of them are found on any CD release, but unedited versions of tracks 1 and 2 are found on their respective CD singles. The extended track 4 is exclusive to the LP release, as the song's respective single was cancelled. Track 6 seems to be a completely different take compared to the CD version. That (also a mislabelled 'extended') version was also to be found on its single.

The didgeridoo is used often on tracks such as "When You Gonna Learn" and the instrumental track, "Didgin' Out".

v • d • e Jay Kay · Rob Harris · Paul Turner · Matt Johnson · Derrick McKenzie · Sola Akingbola · Lorraine McIntosh · Hazel Fernandez · Sam Smith Gavin Dodds · Simon Katz · Nick Fyffe · Stuart Zender · Simon Carter · Toby Smith · Nick Van Gelder · DJ D-Zire · Winston Rollins · Adrian Revell · Howard Anderson · Wallis Buchanan · Beverley Knight  · Johnny Thirkell · Gary Barnacle · Mike Smith Studio albums Emergency on Planet Earth (1993) · The Return of the Space Cowboy (1994) · Travelling Without Moving (1996) · Synkronized (1999) · A Funk Odyssey (2001) · Dynamite (2005) Compilations Jay's Selection (1996) · In Store Jam (promo, 1997) · JAZZiroquai (live, 1998) · Late Night Tales: Jamiroquai (2003) · High Times: Singles 1992-2006 (2006) Films Live in Verona (2002) · High Times: Singles 1992-2006 (2006) · Live at Montreux 2003 (2007) Other Discography · Buffalo Man · Chillington studio · Gig in the Sky