Anyone else confused by the constant comparison between Jamiroquai and Stevie Wonder?
I remember hearing this comparison back in the 90's and being confused back then by it. I'm a big fan of both and I just don't hear it. Their voices sound totally different and the songwriting is also very different.
I'm doing the r/1001albumsgenerator and got Emergency On Planet Earth today. I read some of the user reviews and they are filled with "wow this guy wants to be Stevie Wonder!". And on the Wikipedia page "Reception" section, Stevie is mentioned 3 times!
So I listened and kept that in mind while trying to find specific nods to Stevie. The only one that stands out is the scat vocals in the chorus of Too Young To Die, it's very Stevie. The title of Music of the Mind is obviously a nod to Stevie's album Music of my Mind but the song itself is instrumental and does sound like a Stevie jam. That's it really, unless I'm missing something?
I'm not saying Jay Kay isn't influenced by Stevie, it's impossible to be a Funk/RnB singer and not be. But I just don't hear it as strongly as suggested by everyone. Does anyone else feel the same?