The Mirror Conspiracy

The lounge sounds of Thievery Corporation - Rob Garza and Eric Hilton - caught my ear shortly after the release of their 2000 album The Mirror Conspiracy.  The influences were front and center.  Elements of bossa nova, acid jazz, electronica, Indian, others.   I believe my friend Stephen lent me the CD.  I fell in love with it immediately.  It became a soundtrack for my life.  Have you ever mused about what your theme music would be? What would play as you entered a room.

"Lebanese Blonde", probably the best known track, would be a good choice for me.  Even today.  And I don't even smoke hash.  If you saw the film GARDEN STATE you might remember it.   Such a nice, slinky groove.  Walking as if imperceptibly dancing music.  Breathy vocal by Pam Bricker.  She's also heard in the title track and "Air Batacuda", which speeds up the tempo, perfect for cavorting or chilling.  This would be likewise for "Samba Tranquille".  Can suit more than one temperament or desire. 

"Shadows of Ourselves" was the first to grab my attention. LouLou Ghelichhani sings in French.  Another trip hop panacea. Hits the spot.  A certain hard to put into words melancholia. That describes just about everything here.  Each selection feels like accompaniment to old memories, perhaps triggered by looking at long ago photographs.  There's something about "Indra"'s  blend of loops and samples, and plenty of sitar, that feels like the very soundtrack to the past.  Anyone's. Anywhere, Mumbai or otherwise. 

That's the mood of The Mirror Conspiracy.  Like some magical portal to another time.  I often imagine that in the afterlife one can watch movies of their life.  This would be the right music to go along with them.  Listen to this album and get back to me, if you please.  Interaction with readers on this blog is all too rare.