Jazz-funk harmony
Jamiroquai's harmony mixes jazz chords with funk grooves. Height here stands for pitch: left, one rich chord; center, a two-chord vamp; right, a sliding bass line; behind, the band that plays it.
Chords with extensions
Instead of plain triads, the keys stack thirds up to the seventh and ninth. The extra notes make the chord soft, lush and slightly unresolved.
The Dorian vamp
Many funk grooves rock between a minor seventh chord and the dominant seventh on its fourth degree. Two notes stay put and two step down, so the change is smooth and can loop for minutes.
The bright sixth
The A in F7 is the raised sixth of C Dorian. That single note keeps the minor groove sounding upbeat rather than sad.
Sliding bass lines
Bass and keys often walk down one semitone at a time while the chords above shift color. Songs like Virtual Insanity are known for this gliding, step-by-step descent.
The live band
Keys, strings, drums, bass and voice each carry part of the harmony. Together they give the band's sound its warm 1970s soul and disco feel.