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Rob Garza and Eric Hilton consider it their most introspective work to date. Existing somewhere between rock, dub, psychedelic, Latin, and electronic music, this 2002 album finds the duo elevating their signature sound with more contemplative and thought-provoking songwriter. The jewelcase is housed in a slipcase along with a 40-page black & white photo booklet. Eighteenth Street Lounge. 2002.
Thievery Corporation: Rob Garza, Eric Hilton.
Additional personnel: Emiliana Torrini, Sleepy Wonder & Shinehead, Lou Lou, Pam Bricker, Notch.
Personnel: Verny Varela (vocals, flute); Emiliana Torrini, Pam Bricker, Shinehead, Sleepy Wonder, Patrick DeSantos (vocals); Desmond Williams, Chris Pupa Roots Vrenios (guitar); Manoochehr Sadeghi (santur); Ustad Amir (sitar); Harold B. Little, Rick Harris , Frankie Addison (horns); Wayne Wilentz (Wurlitzer organ, keyboards); Jim West (drums); Javier Miranda (percussion).
Additional personnel: Steven Albert (guitar, electric bass); Ustad Amir (sitar); Frankie Addison, Kelvin Sampson, Harold Little (horns); Roberto Berimbao (electric bass); Sonny Caberwal (tabla); Pam Bricker, Patrick DeSantos.
Recording information: ESL Stuidos, Washington DC.
Photographers: Brian Liu; Bill Crandall.
Even more similar to its predecessor, The Mirror Conspiracy, than that one was to the first Thievery Corporation LP, The Richest Man in Babylon provides some beat-heavy, languorous excursions into territory long-favored by Thievery Corporation -- namely, the music of Brazil, India, and Jamaica -- but doesn't have the hooks or the production finesse to compete with The Mirror Conspiracy. On the opener, "Heaven's Gonna Burn Your Eyes," guest Emiliana Torrini treasures her vocals endearingly, but the backing could've been taken wholesale from any of a dozen Thievery productions (or perhaps Air's Moon Safari). "The Outernationalist," a bass-heavy trip into ambient-dub headspace, sounds great too, but it also occupies the same territory as a previous track (2000's "Treasure"). Vocalists LouLou and Pam Bricker both return for two features each, practically indistinguishable from their previous tracks. (Of course, it's difficult to resist a bland sound when the bassline for an entire song, "Un Simple Histoire (A Simple Story)," encompasses only four different notes and continues throughout.) Fortunately, a few tracks on the backside do plow new ground, thanks in part to new guests: "Meu Destino (My Destiny)," with the ephemeral falsetto of Patrick de Santos; "Exilio (Exile)," which introduces Afro-Cuban percussion into the Thievery template; and a great feature for Shinehead on "The State of the Union," while Garza and Hilton throw in a few extra beats (for once). Admittedly, a solid set of treading-water productions is vastly preferred to a bad album, especially on the dancefloor. Sure, it could've been worse, but it also could've been slightly different. ~ John Bush
Eric Hilton and Rob Garza, the Washington, D.C. duo better known as Thievery Corporation, continue to refine their previously established style on THE RICHEST MAN IN BABYLON. For their third proper album of new material, they continue to mine a mellow electronica groove with jazz, pop, and world music flavorings mixed in among the expected reggae, soul, and funk elements. The title tune and "The State of the Union" focus heavily on the reggae aspects of Thievery Corporation's sound, while "Liberation Front" bears more of an acid-jazz feel. The closing track "Resolution" (along with a few others) is more in line with that ethereal trip-hop flow for which Hilton and Garza are perhaps best known. On the graphics side, a great deal of time appears to have been put in to the package here, which includes a thick and evocative photo booklet whose striking, occasionally off-kilter images provide an excellent visual equivalent to the music.
Rolling Stone (9/19/02, p.98) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Transports you to a nocturnal setting, where you feel as if the evening air is blessed with the glow of a full moon..."
Uncut (12/02, p.132) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...An electronic album with personality..."
Magnet (10/02, p.110) - "...It's an organic exploration into 21st-century exotica..."
CMJ (9/30/02) - "...A complex album that reaches a level of warmth that's rarely achieved in electronic music....[The album] offers listeners a musical trip around the world without ever having to leave their living rooms..."
Vibe (10/02, p.180) - 3 out of 5 - "...In their world of high hepcat camp, Thievery Corporation can steal your ears and hold them hostage..." Richest Man In Babylon Music Richest Man In Babylon Music Review Average Rating: (4 out of 5 stars)   List All Reviews very nice
super mellow mix of various styles of music
Submitted by a reviewer (Ft. Worth, TX) 
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YEAH!! this stuff really rocks!!
Submitted by Headbangers R Us (Plano, TX)
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 eeeh
Well I like the IDEA of the cd more than the actual cd. I like their eclectic blend of different styles, and chill beats. But when it comes down to it, all of the beats are the same (at best very similar), and they lack the style of a real bassist. I cant sress this enought, all the basslines are so linear and boring, with no style. I think this cd re-recorded with a some live musicians would benifit greatly. I like a few tunes, I do. But they are still monotonous, and without some variation in the bass, it makes me shudder. Check out the Dzihan and Kamien orchestra if your getting into this kind of music. Trust me, I wouldnt waste my time just to type it.
Submitted by ilikebass18 (Brighton, MI, USA)
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Everyone agrees, it's a 4
The Washington DC DJ duo of Rob Garza and Eric Hilton have once again taken electro-lounge music to a new level by blending their favorite parts of bossa nova, jazz, reggae, dub, and many other worldly influences into one hypnotic experience. This third full length of original material, not counting remixes or compilations—and there are many—finds the duo working with a variety of guest musicians, namely Loulou, Notch, Emiliana Torrini, Sleepywonder and Shinehead. The resulting hour of leisure is delivered effortlessly between casual beats and a mellow mix of organic instrumentation, including sitars, tablas, horns, flutes and a Wurlitzer. On several tracks, floating calmly among the halcyon ethers are the faint foreign folk tales reworked from their native tongues into the trance mix like buttery diplomats. Proving that if we followed the lingering curiosities of musicians, there would be no war but rather one expansive electro-cultural remix fit for consumption and friendly conversation.
Submitted by sydhartha (Seattle)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No A Dose of Cool
An eclectic collection of trippy international sounds from Arabic to reggae. The perfect backdrop for a martini with your coolest friends. This CD really grows on you with repeated listening. There is no wasted space on this one!
Submitted by a reviewer (Corona, CA, USA)
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