biography

Rob Garza was already recording under the name Thievery Corporation when he met Eric Hilton in 1995. Hilton had a profound effect on the act's output, channelling Garza's predilection for fast breakbeats into a more understated, down-tempo sound and bringing acclaim from both sides of the Atlantic. Combining dub, lounge, jazz, hip-hop and Latin ingredients, their initial 12-inches on their own 18th Street Lounge label suggested a European approach akin to Kruder And Dorfmeister, Nightmares On Wax, or even Air. In fact, they managed their label (and the club of the same name) from Washington, DC, recording within a stone's throw of the White House. Their debut, Sounds From The Thievery Hi-Fi, was an underground success across Europe and the USA in 1996, boosted further by an expanded 4AD Records release two years later. Quietly compelling, Sounds From The Thievery Hi-Fi was a seamless blend of influences that exuded sophistication, a quality manifest in all aspects of their image (and earning them the Best Dressed Men In Showbiz accolade from Spin magazine). Their 1999 contribution to the DJ-Kicks mix series attracted similar plaudits to previous efforts from Kruder And Dorfmeister and Rockers Hi-Fi. Each mix featured tracks from the others, appropriately indicating a shared belief in eclecticism without tokenism. Abductions And Reconstructions, a collection of the duo's remixes for bands including Stereolab and Pizzicato Five, further demonstrated this philosophy.

discography

The Richest Man In Babylon
Label: Eighteenth Street
Released: 01.10.02

The Mirror Conspiracy
Label: 18th Street Lounge Music
Released: 08.29.00

DJ Kicks
Label: K7
Released: 05.18.99

Abductions & Reconstructions
Label: 18th Street Lounge Music
Released: 04.06.99

Sounds From The Thievery Hi-Fi
Label: 18th Street Lounge Music
Released: 06.10.97
 

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