Babylon Rewound

Album review

Electronic music ordinances decree Babylon Rewound a "remix collection," but the eight-track set has a lot in common with traditional Jamaican dub albums as it stretches out the tunes from the Richest Man in Babylon album to their laziest and druggiest potential. Problem is, these so-so tunes don't really deserve this treatment, but they're actually improved by all the wandering, since Thievery Corporation are groovier remixers than most. Groovier than Kid Loco -- judging from his smooth jazzing and unnecessary take on "Until the Morning" -- but not as cool as Voidd, who adds a light house touch to "Un Simple Histoire," the highlight by far. Getting lost in Thievery Corporation's dubby remixes is easy, since lazier and looser are qualities their buttoned-up Richest Man could have benefited from. The crooked path the new, reggae-drenched track "Truth and Rights" takes suggests even they're aware of the need to loosen the tie, but it fades right as it catches fire, pulling its punch. Still, there's more sensi and less sensibility than usual, which makes Babylon Rewound necessary for fans and worth checking for dabblers.

© David Jeffries /TiVo