Thievery Corporation Turn to Jamaica For Latest Album ‘The Temple of I & I’

Jordan Bailey

Thievery Corporation is back on the scene with  “The Temple of I & I,” their latest project inspired by the sounds of Jamaica. Set for release on Feb. 10, the record is following the acclaimed “Saudade” from 2014. Rob Garza and Eric Hilton are the main duo, though they pride themselves on collaborating with numerous artists on each of their albums, including their new studio album, “The Temple of I & I.”

The new album was recorded in Port Antonio, Jamaica where the band spent the better part of 2015. “I think they’re used to people coming down from London or LA to record rock or pop records,” said Hilton.

The sounds of the island shine bright on many of the tracks on this record. The opening track, “Thief Rockers,” kicks off with the standard Jah praise, then melts smoothly into a low-key dub groove. “True Sons of Zion,” and “Babylon Falling,” are tributes to the classic reggae sound. Between the cracks of these songs, there are classic themes from previous Thievery Corporation songs such as the of space-lounge sounds of “Love Has No Heart,” “Lose to Find,” and “Fight to Survive.”

The single for the album, “Ghetto Matrix,” is another from the hip-hop genre. Featuring longtime Thievery Corporation collaborator Mr. Lif, this track is not unlike many other tracks from the duo dating back to their early work in the late ’90s. This spacey beat holds steady throughout the three and a half minutes, as the MC runs seamlessly from verse to hook and back again. Mr. Lif waxes poetic on the turmoil one faces when confronted with greed and the foreboding destruction this vice has on its victims.

Unlike most other artists with two decades of musical history, Thievery Corporation continues to stick to their original sound. They subscribe to the “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it” ideology. Over the years, the group has been able to work with collaborators and gain fans from a wide range of social and political backgrounds- something that continues to inspire them.

Their sound is a straightforward mixture of lounge, hip-hop and world music tinged with themes of inclusivity and prosperity. The duo likes what they’re doing and they aren’t changing.

“The Temple of I & I” is available Feb. 10 on Apple Music.