music

There’s no English analog for the Portuguese word saudade, which translates roughly to a melancholic longing for someone or something from the past. The term so aptly fits Thievery Corporation’s oeuvre (always wistful and dreamy) that it’s a wonder this is the first time the D.C. duo have employed it as an album title. Looking to the sounds of Brazil–bossa nova, samba, tropicalia–for their seventh long-player, longtime musical partners Rob Garza and Eric Hilton deliver a set that evokes shimmering seascapes and poolside cocktails. It’s the kind of album James Bond would put on for a romantic evening in Rio. Saudade‘s expressive acoustic guitars and placid string arrangements meld sweetly with delicate synths and gentle percussion, as a rotating cast of five female vocalists coo sensuous melodies. While many of these songs (“Quem Me Leva,” the title track) are bold adventurers into new sonic territory, others, such as “Depth of My Soul” and “Firelight,” are vintage Thievery Corporation with a Brazilian twist: deeply groovy and endlessly mesmerizing.

After an exploration into bossa nova on the 2014 "Saudade" release, Thievery Corporation returns to the music of Jamaica for it's 2017 album, The Temple of I & I. The band's 10th studio album release was recorded at GeeJam Studios in Port Antonio, Jamaica and features vocal appearances by Mr. Lif, Raquel Jones, Zee, Notch, Lou Lou Ghelichkhani, Shana Halligan, Elin Melgarejo & Puma. "The innovation, spirit and power of Jamaican music is a constant source of creative manna for us," explains Eric Hilton. "On the musical map, Jamaica is an entire continent. Frankly, we could have spent a year there, soaking up the vibes in the air and the strength and resilience resonating from the people."

Originally released on October 1, 2002 through ESL Music, The Richest Man in Babylon is Thievery Corporation's 3rd studio album release featuring vocalists Emiliana Torrini, LouLou Ghelichkhani, Pam Bricker, and Notch.

The second studio album from Rob Garza and Eric Hilton, The Mirror Conspiracy was released on April 2, 2000 and is one of the duo's best-selling albums of the lounge, trip-hop, and chillout era. The 15-track release features vocals by Brother Jack, LouLou Ghelichkhani, Pam Bricker, SEE-I, Bebel Gilberto, and Plejah. The album also features the reissue of the band's 1997 single, "Lebanese Blonde," which was featured on the soundtrack to Zach Braff's 2004 film "Garden State."

Culture of Fear marks a happy return to the more placid waters of classic Thievery Corporation albums like The Mirror Conspiracy and Richest Man In Babylon. The album’s strongest moments occur when guests arrive to give some focus to its indisputably lovely, but sometimes meandering productions, as when Boston bred underground rapper Mr. Lif enlivens the title track with some incisive verses on mass media and surveillance culture.

11th studio album from D.C. based electronic duo featuring artists: Mr. Lif, Sitali, Racquel Jones, Notch, Natalia Clavier, and Lou Lou Ghelichkhani. The 12 track Treasures from the Temple is a continuation from their last album Temple of I & I, recorded in Port Antonio. Blending their signature sound with classic dub, dancehall, and roots vibes. Download Card

Thievery Corporation played a historic concert in 2017 at The JFK Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The show saw their songs re-imagined with orchestral arrangements from some of today's leading young classical composers. To honour this show and inspiration it provided, Hilton and Garza have created Symphonik - recorded with Prague’s FilmHarmonic Orchestra along with Thievery Corporation's live band and engineering and co-production by Gianmaria Conti.