No. 16: Thievery Corporation

I've found out over the years that Thievery Corporation's music is a vital thing to have when experiencing a hangover. Their smooth down tempo beats go down like peanut butter and jelly and make for the perfect proverbial "background music". The DJ/producer team of Rob Garza and Eric Hilton congealed at a club in Washington, D.C., called the Eighteenth Street Lounge, which the pair also owned together. One night the guys decided to try their hand at the music they showcased at their club and Thievery was born. Together, Garva and Hilton mix world, electronic, dub and jazz into some of the most relaxing music you're likely to hear this side of Pure Moods.

For me, their most enjoyable album has to be The Richest Man In Babylon, a disc I have worn out from many continuous plays during long hazy evenings. Most of Thievery's songs go well in almost any setting as my wife, who is a dance teacher for little kids, once used the aforementioned album as house music for one of her recitals. It's also music you can feel good recommending to your parents if they're into this kind of thing, but still cool enough to have on at your next party. Thievery is also known to have their share of guest singers. On 2005's The Cosmic Game, guests like Wayne Coyne, David Byrne, and Perry Farrell are featured in the credits for lending their voices to a few tracks.

I have been waiting a long time to see Thievery Corporation and have missed out on a ton of opportunities since moving to Chicago. It's safe to say I won't let them slip through the cracks this time.

Myspace

www.thieverycorporation.com