Jamiroquai have started work on their first album in seven years, weeks after the band's former bassist Derek McIntyre was killed in a car accident.
The Acid Jazz pioneers, fronted by lead singer Jay Kay, returned to the studio after a recent writing session yielded positive results.
It will be the band's ninth studio album and their first new music since the 2017 release of Automaton, their eighth top ten LP.
The recoding sessions also follow the tragic death of bassist McIntyre, who died aged 66 on February 2 following a five-car pile-up in Bushey, Hertfordshire.
A source told The Sun: 'It’s been a long time coming but the time feels right for Jamiroquai to work on new music.
Jamiroquai have started work on their first album in seven years, weeks after the band's long-term bassist Derek McIntyre was killed in a car accident
McIntyre, who played bass on the band's 2005 album Dynamite, passed away following a five car collision in Bushey, Hertfordshire on February 2
'Jay went into the studio for a writing session recently and it went really well. They got the band involved too and it all felt very special to be back together doing what they do best.
'Everyone involved is excited about the new project and what it will sound like. It’s early days and while they don’t know when the new record will be out, the wheels are in motion.'
Jamiroquai rose to fame in 1992 after signing to independent label Acid Jazz Records, with debut album Emergency On Planet Earth selling more than a million copies upon release the following year.
The source added that the sudden death of McIntyre, who played bass on the band's 2005 album Dynamite, was a sobering reminder that life is short.
Following his death, the musician's family told Hertfordshire Police: 'Our dad, Derrick McIntyre, was a proud dad, husband, brother, son, uncle, grandfather and friend.
'He had a passion for music, playing the bass guitar for most of his life and blessing tracks with his groovy bassline for folks such as Jamiroquai, Roy Ayers, Beverley Knight and many more.
'Dad was a great man who influenced many that came into contact with him, inspiring and encouraging every chance he could.
'No amount of words can sum up just how special our dad was to us all – not only within our individual bonds, but as a whole. We will forever miss his love, humour and presence and will continue to spread his light. Until we meet again.'
The Acid Jazz pioneers, fronted by lead singer Jay Kay (pictured), have returned to the studio after a recent writing session yielded positive results
Kay paid tribute to former bandmate McIntyre following his death, confirmed by Hertfordshire police in February
Jamiroquai rose to fame in 1992 after signing to independent label Acid Jazz Records, with debut album Emergency On Planet Earth selling more than a million copies upon release
His bandmate Jay added: 'It is with great sorrow that I hear the sad news of Derrick McIntyre’s passing. He was a joy to work with and a superbly talented musician.
'My thoughts are with his family, friends and fellow musicians who worked with him. Thinking of you at the great gig in the sky Derrick. J.'
McIntyre's other credits include tours with Roy Ayers, The Jazz Crusaders and Cliff Richard as well as working alongside Beverly Knight, Will Young, Emily Sande and John Newman.
