Versions

The title of the latest Thievery Corporation album, Versions, speaks volumes about Eric Hilton and Rob Garza’s approach to the art of the remix. Aside from their jazz and world influences, the Washington DC-based duo have borrowed liberally from the techniques of Jamaican dub practitioners like King Tubby and Lee Perry (who used to do dub versions of popular vocal records), especially with their remixes, which are known for their heavyweight basslines and slick chocolate riffs. Versions highlights a number of rare and hard-to-find TC remixes; seventeen in total, including a bonus collaboration track with legendary dancehall queen Sister Nancy. An impressive range of artists and songs are tackled here, from Sarah McLachlan and her "Dirty Little Secret" to Herb Albert's "Lemon Tree", the Doors' "Strange Days" and Nouvelle Vague's celebrated version of "This Is Not a Love Song". The tracks, though of a high calibre throughout, vary in their results. Some are nondescript, others are hit and miss, but enough of them - the blissed-out rendition of Ustad Sultan Khan’s "Tarana", their lush reshaping of Astrud Gilberto’s "Who Needs Forever" especiall--create enough deep grooves to ensure a sensual listening experience. --Paul Sullivan