DJ-Kicks: Thievery Corporation
Thievery Corporation · 1999
63 min · 18 tracks · trip hop
A seamless blend of downtempo grooves, Latin rhythms, and dub influences that encapsulate a global musical journey.
Top tracks — play these first
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Tropicando Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Beija Flor — This track exemplifies Thievery Corporation's fusion of Brazilian bossa nova with electronic elements, showcasing lush instrumentation and hypnotic rhythms.
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Success (Thievery Corporation remix) — This remix highlights their ability to reinterpret existing works through a distinctive lens, intertwining diverse influences to create an immersive listening experience.
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Emerald Alley — Emerald Alley stands out for its mellow yet intricate arrangement, perfectly encapsulating the atmospheric vibe that defines this mix.
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It Takes a Thief/DJ Kicks — Closing the album, this track embodies the entire mix's essence through layered sounds and a compelling narrative that invites listeners into their world.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album excels in its seamless mixing and diverse influences, marking a significant moment in downtempo music.
What we noticed
- Several tracks feature spoken word samples or vocal snippets that add texture without dominating the instrumental focus.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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9/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- chill lounge atmosphere for relaxation
- wave-like pacing encourages immersion
- dynamic journey with varied tempos
- ideal for social gatherings
- exploration of global rhythms
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced instant gratification
- seek standalone hit tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This mix album helped popularize downtempo and established their reputation in the genre.
- Themes
- Brazilian bossa nova· global musical journey· hypnotic rhythms
- Career context
- Released in 1999, DJ-Kicks: Thievery Corporation marks a pivotal moment in the duo's career as their first mix album. Following their acclaimed debut album, Sounds from the Verve Hi-Fi, this release further established their signature sound while expanding their audience within the burgeoning electronic music scene.
Tracklist
- 1 Tropicando Start here 2:34
- 2 Rebirth 4:14
- 3 Beija Flor 3:33
- 4 Mother Africa Feeding Sista India / 2001 1:58
- 5 Rainbow 3:46
- 6 Success (Thievery Corporation remix) 3:00
- 7 Emerald Alley 3:25
- 8 Exploration 3:08
- 9 Coming From the Top 3:24
- 10 Ponteio (bonus beats) 1:23
- 11 Guiro Electro (Rainer Trüby Trio remix) 4:20
- 12 Fedime's Flight 4:59
- 13 Janine 3:40
- 14 Imperial 3:40
- 15 Transmission Central (Thievery Corporation remix) 4:15
- 16 Mathar (R. Fearless mix) 3:48
- 17 Reign Dub 4:13
- 18 It Takes a Thief/DJ Kicks 4:09
What to play next
The Mirror Conspiracy
2000
Continues the blend of global sounds with a more polished production style.
Abductions and Reconstructions
1999
Prepares the listener with similar downtempo vibes and eclectic influences.
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Dial 'M' for Monkey
Bonobo
Shares a similar blend of downtempo grooves and global influences, creating a rich sonic tapestry.
The Eraser
Thom Yorke
Combines electronic elements with hypnotic rhythms and introspective themes, echoing the album's vibe.
La Revancha del Tango
Gotan Project
Merges Latin rhythms with electronic beats, paralleling the global journey and atmospheric feel.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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