Jamiroquai: Live at Montreux 2003 Blu-ray

Jamiroquai: Live at Montreux 2003

 (2003)

Jamiroquai: Live at Montreux 2003 Blu-ray delivers stunning video and great audio in this excellent Blu-ray release
Jamiroquai's space-age funk is in full dynamic effect at the 2003 Montreux Jazz Festival, on tunes such as "High Times," "Cosmic Girl" and "Canned Heat." Also included is the band's version of "Space Cowboy" recorded at Montreux eight years earlier. Extended versions of Jamiroquai's most popular hits fuel this legendary high-energy performance at the world-famous jazz festival held each year in Switzerland.

For more about Jamiroquai: Live at Montreux 2003 and the Jamiroquai: Live at Montreux 2003 Blu-ray release, see the Jamiroquai: Live at Montreux 2003 Blu-ray Review

Jamiroquai: Live at Montreux 2003 Blu-ray Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov, August 5, 2009

In 2003, Jay Kay a.k.a Jamiroquai and his band made their third appearance at the Montreux Jazz Festival. For well over two hours, the enigmatic British singer rocked the crowd with old but not forgotten and newer but exciting hits – "Cosmic Girl", "Shoot The Moon", "Alright", "Deeper Underground", "Traveling Without Moving", "Blow Your Mind", etc.

A Jamiroquai show is unlike any other show. As cliché as it may sound, unless one has seen the singer live, one has not fully experienced the impact of his music. When Jamiroquai takes the stage, electricity is in the air. Yes, his shows are rarely family-friendly, but they are always special.

Jamiroquai: Live at Montreux 2003 is not an exception. Jamrioquai performs some of his greatest hits with brand new arrangements. Some sound a bit heavier, boasting unexpectedly long guitar solos (Deeper Underground). Others sound lighter, more lounge-esque (Butterfly). As expected, there is a great deal of improvising going on as well where members of Jamiroquai's band show what they are capable of (Traveling Without Moving).

Jamiroquai's band is in top form. Rob Harris (guitar), Nick Fyffe (bass), Sola Akingbola (perciussion), Matt Johnson (keyboards), Derrick Mckenzie (drums), Hazel Fernandes (backing vocals), and Lauraine Mcintosh (backing vocals) are every bit as impressive as their leader. The free improvisations the band does, especially during the second half of the show, are terrific.

This Blu-ray disc also contains a bonus live performance of "Space Cowboy" from Jamiroquai's 1995 visit to Montreux. It is a memorable one for sure. Jamiroquai fans probably remember that he had some explaining to do after his show was over. The 1995 band line-up was Toby G. Smith (keyboards), Stuart Zender (bass), Simon Katz (guitar), Derrick McKenzie (drums), Sola Akingbola (percussion), Darren Galea (DJ).

High Times

Tracklisting:

1. Use The Force
2. Canned Heat
3. Cosmic Girl
4. Little L
5. Blow Your Mind
6. High Times
7. Travelling Without Moving
8. Butterfly
9. Shoot The Moon
10. Soul Education
11. Just Another Story
12. Mr Moon
13. Alright
14. Love Foolosophy
15. Deeper Underground

Bonus Track:
16. Space Cowboy (Montreux, 1995).

Jamiroquai: Live at Montreux 2003 Blu-ray, Video Quality

 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080i "live" transfer, Jamiroquai: Live at Montreux 2003 arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Eagle Rock Entertainment.

This is yet another solid looking transfer by Eagle Rock Entertainment. Contrast is exceptionally strong, clarity very good and detail pleasing. Multiple, strategically positioned, cameras have been used to record the show. As a result, you will be able to follow not only Jamiroquai, but the rest of the band members as well. The stage lighting is good. Blue, red, and green spotlights are used often. There are no disturbing shadow effects to report. There are no serious image deteriorations to report either. I did spot a bit of motion-judder, but this isn't something that would affect your viewing experience. To sum it all up, the view treatment should meet the requirements of even the most demanding Blu-ray enthusiasts. For the record, Space Cowboy is in 480/60i. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).

Jamiroquai: Live at Montreux 2003 Blu-ray, Audio Quality

 

There are three audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: Music DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Music Dolby Digital 5.1 and LPCM 2.0. I opted for the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track and later on did a few random comparisons with the other two tracks for the purpose of this review.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track well balanced and dynamically satisfying. The bass is rich and the rear channels intelligently used. I felt that the high-frequencies could have been a bit more prominent, but I don't believe that you would be disappointed with them. Jamiroquai's singing is well balanced with the music – there are no dropouts or forced dynamic fluctuations. The crowd noise is also not an issue of concern. I did not detect any distracting pops, cracks, or hissings.

The LPCM 2.0 track is rather good. It improves balance without heavily affecting the dynamics. Jamrioquai's singing seems a bit more restrained, but so does the band. I did not detect any disturbing pops, cracks, or hissings here either.

The Dolby Digital 5.1 track does not reveal any major deficiencies, yet it is the least impressive one. Dynamically, it is not as attractive as the other two tracks. There are no balance issues with it.

Jamiroquai: Live at Montreux 2003 Blu-ray, Special Features and Extras

 

Most unfortunately, there are absolutely no supplemental features to be found on this Blu-ray disc.

Jamiroquai: Live at Montreux 2003 Blu-ray, Overall Score and Recommendation

 

Jamiroquai: Live at Montreux 2003 is yet another terrific addition to the already impressive catalog of releases Eagle Rock Entertainment have amassed. Fans of the British singer will surely find it impossible to resist this lovely disc. Well done Eagle Rock Entertainment! Highly Recommended.

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