Abductions & Reconstructions

Abductions & Reconstructions

ASIN: B00000IMVB

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
It's fitting that Rob Garza and Eric Hilton, the duo behind Thievery Corporation, run both a club and a label that have the name Eighteenth Street Lounge: all of the music (which shares the same dubby, acid-jazz flavor) on the label is perfectly suited to the club. Abductions and Reconstructions, however, is different from previous ESL releases, such as Dubbed Out in D.C., in that it's easily the label's most accessible album to date. It consists of 15 Thievery remixes of artists from Stereolab to David Byrne to Baba Maal and tends to be a lot more active than the duo's original compositions. Still, the tracks here bear only a passing resemblance to their original forms--in Thievery's hands, the songs are drawn out, tranced up, mellowed down, but each has its own flavor. The end result is an album that's both diverse and consistent and completely enjoyable. You could just as easily dance to these tracks as sit and lounge to them--the perfect soundtrack for either a great bar or your next party. --Randy Silver

Product Description
Definitive collection of Thievery Corporation remixes featuring tracks by David Byrne, Baaba Maal, Rockers Hi-Fi, Stereolab, Pizzicato 5, Gus Gus, Hooverphonic, Black Uhuru & more. ESL Records.

Tracks:

Dance On Vaseline - David Byrne
I Will Follow You (Souka Nayo) - Baaba Maal
KC Doppler - Slide Five
Transmission Central - Rockers Hi-Fi
Tickertape Of The Unconscious - Stereolab
Porno 3003 - Pizzicato 5
Hijack - Thunderball
Ave Maria - Edson Cordeiro
Defenceless - Waldeck
Polyesterday - Gus Gus
This Strange Effect - Hooverphonic
Sexelevatormuzik - Avatars Of Dub
Boof N Baff N Biff - Black Uhuru
Savoir Faire - Ursula 1000
Closer To God - Urbs 'N Chaoz

Amazon.com

It's fitting that Rob Garza and Eric Hilton, the duo behind Thievery Corporation, run both a club and a label that have the name Eighteenth Street Lounge: all of the music (which shares the same dubby, acid-jazz flavor) on the label is perfectly suited to the club. Abductions and Reconstructions, however, is different from previous ESL releases, such as Dubbed Out in D.C., in that it's easily the label's most accessible album to date. It consists of 15 Thievery remixes of artists from Stereolab to David Byrne to Baba Maal and tends to be a lot more active than the duo's original compositions. Still, the tracks here bear only a passing resemblance to their original forms--in Thievery's hands, the songs are drawn out, tranced up, mellowed down, but each has its own flavor. The end result is an album that's both diverse and consistent and completely enjoyable. You could just as easily dance to these tracks as sit and lounge to them--the perfect soundtrack for either a great bar or your next party. --Randy Silver

Album Description

Definitive collection of Thievery Corporation remixes featuring tracks by David Byrne, Baaba Maal, Rockers Hi-Fi, Stereolab, Pizzicato 5, Gus Gus, Hooverphonic, Black Uhuru & more. ESL Records.

Customer Reviews:

For Those that like Thievery Corporation, this is a must...........2004-08-19

Thievery Corporation - "Abductions & Reconstructions" (Downtempo, Electronica, Trip-Hop) : The Thievery Corporation has long since mined the more instrumental end of Downtempo trip-Hop, and made a name for themselves, by usually delivering Solid albums, with their sublime "The Mirror Conspiracy" largely sonsidered their best work.

Here they tackle the prospect of 'Remixing' (or reinterpreting), a collection of 14 or so artists. That are not all necessarily associated with Electronic or Downtempo Music. And as well as tackling Artists that are familiar to most (stereolab, Gus Gus, David Byrne, Black Uhuru), they also re image less-known artists work with as much proficiency (Edson Cordeiro, Waldeck, Savior Faire, Slide Five).

"David Byrne's - Dance on Vaseline" gets a contemporary subtle Dance-beat reinterpretation, with slinky and a restrained Laid-back and stylish percussion beat layed underneath the David Byrne's vocal, and the effect is most impressive, like a supremely sophisticated Laid-back Alternative Pop tune.

"Rockers Hi-Fi's - Tranmission Central" is given a dub re-edit, and the Thievery Corporation trademark of Eastern-influenced instrumental Percussion and string arrangements & Samples makes this a beautifully hybrid of Trip-Hop composition with Dub/Reggae vocals overlayed

My Personal fave, (although its a close run thing) is the re imaging of "Stereolab's - Ticker-Tape of the Unconscious", with rather than stripping the track of Stereolab's trademark Kraut-rock electronics & Drone, soften the edges and turns it into a more sensual Electronica-derived track, that retains the original female vocal, but reshapes it to fit within the context of the new composition.

What works so well for the Thievery Corporation is the fact that, they realise that some tracks actually don't need to be completely reconstructed, to compete as being as good tracks. When carefully considered sampling or instrumention or a well chosen Elegant, Stylish or well chosen vocal track to underpin their Eastern-styled synth swooshes or sampling, will present a fresh spin on a track, but still maintaining the integrity of the original. And so "Thunderball's - Hijack" & "Edson Cordeiro's" sublime vocal "Ave Maria", aren't completely reinterpreted, but more given a tidy Lounge makeover, with the essence of the original still intact.

"Gus Gus's", style of quirky and Cerebral electronica find that their Polyesterday is completely taken apart and rebuilt with echoey keys, Continental flair & atmospheric percussion, with the vocals reedited...it feels a fair distance away from the original and is expertly produced, and although noticeably different does the original proud.

"Black Uhuru" (another act that have had their material remixed by Trip-Hop artists), find their "Boof N' Baff N'' Biff" not so much 'Dubbed', but given a lazy smoked out groove with the reggae vocal still largely intact. And seeing how most remixers would baulk at the prospect of turning a reggae tune into something digestable for the Downtempo/Trip-Hop Crowd. Here the Thievery Corporation rise to the challenge, and breathe life into the mix by introducing a head-bobber of a drum loop, layered with loads of reverb and echo, and tweaked bass and drums to impressive effect.

If your a Thievery Corporation fan....then as mentioned in a previous review, there's a lot here that'll appeal. the musical trademarks to brought them their audience is stamped over a lot of the material here, and proves them to be not only excellent remixers in their own right, but seemingly have impeccable track/artist selection for who to remix.

If want criticisms to give this a balanced review, then it could be argued that some of the beats or instrumentation used feels familiar to their previous work, and irrespective of how well incorporated it is here, isn't as innovative as some of the other artists in this genre. But what they lack in cutting-edge sounds, then make up with 'Mood, Atmosphere, Production & unexpected choices' (Stereolab??...Black Uhuru??...David Byrne??). Sure, this album will take you nowhere fast, but isn't that the point of Chill-out???

Not great as a remix album, but super selection anyway.......2003-05-02

What can you say about a compilation that includes streaks from a cross section of bands as psychedelic as Baaba Maal, Black Uhuru, Avatars of Dub and Gus Gus? That it's ambitious.

The music here is neat, as almost anything from Thievery usually is, just that the title seems to promise some sort of remixing ("Reconstruction"?). In that sense the album fails miserably, I'd still pick K&D anyday for spiffy remixes of tracks of all genres.

Having said that though, this straightforward album gets my top marks for a decent selection of trip-hop grooves. Noteworthy: Hooverphonic, Gus Gus, Slide 5, Urbz 'n Chaos.

Nothing to shout from rooftops about, but a worthy addition to your downtempo collection nonetheless...

Good Sounds.......2003-01-07

This is a good CD that gets you grooving excellent Drive music with the Sun Roof open or on a long ride to a party. You will really get your juices flowing.

very good thievery mix - must have for any downtempo fan!!.......2002-12-24

Thievery corp. has really made a name for themselves with their lines of cd's that are truly a wonderful journey in downtempo grooves everytime one sits down to listen to them. These guys bring in influences from all over the world for their music and the result is a wonderful mix perfect for the late night cocktail and a night by the fireplace with a few good friends. Notable tracks on this cd:

kc doppler
porno 3003
hijack
ave maria
defenceless
this strange effect
sexelavatormuzic

the others aren't bad, but not for me. i pick these for their wonderful quality and mysterious sound. well worth a buy!

s'ok.......2002-08-25

most things on ESL are better than most other things. this is middle of the road for ESL. solid, but unspectacular.

14 Friendly Abductions: The Best of Nina Hagen

Average customer rating:

Good introduction
A 74:14 minute smile
COSMA INFINITE NINA
Still really delicious!
The Original Freakazoid

14 Friendly Abductions: The Best of Nina Hagen
Nina Hagen
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Post-Punk | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Alternative Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 International | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Nunsexmonkrock/Nina Hagen Band
Lucky Number: The Best of Lene Lovich
Om Namah Shivay
The Best of Lene Lovich
Fearless

ASIN: B000002ABN
Release Date: 1996-04-02

Tracks:

Zarah
New York New York
Smack Jack
Tv-Glotzer (White Punks On Dope)
Spirit In The Sky
African Reggae
Universal Radio (Universal Dance Mix)
My Sensation
Iki Maska
Wir Leben Immer Noch (Lucky Number)
Cosma Shiva
Zarah (Dance Mix)
Zarah (Dub)
My Way

Customer Reviews:

Good introduction.......2006-11-08

These 14 tracks encompass some of Nina Hagen's timeless songs but they do not represent her best by any means. The best tracks here are TV Glotzer (White Punks On Dope, originally by The Tubes), African Reggae, her German version of Lene Lovich's Lucky Number which is titled Wir Leben Immer Noch and her interpretation of Norman Greenbaum's gospel song Spirit In The Sky. These capture the essence of the early Nina Hagen from the first two albums Nina Hagen Band and Unbehagen.

Other memorable tracks are New York New York, Universal Radio and her weird take on My Way. The song Zarah appears in three different mixes: the original, the dance mix and the dub. The CD booklet offers informative liner notes, photographs and info on the songs. Her early music was original and exceptional, an inspired blend of rock, punk and operatic vocals, whilst the later stuff became a little formulaic or did not live up to the high standard of the first two albums.

There are two other compilations that offer more of the early innovative songs like Naturtraene, Unbeschreiblich Weiblich, Auf'm Bahnhof Zoo and Heiss. These are the Definitive Collection and Very Best Of. But this one, 14 Friendly Abductions is a great introduction for the casual fan. Nina Hagen is an exceptional vocalist who made some of the most intriguing music of the late 1970s and early 1980s.

A 74:14 minute smile.......2006-11-03

Not for every one Cd, and people who don't know what's ahead might get frightened (see some former reviews), but if you are open minded and like energetic punk-rock music, than you wont stop smiling. Nina is an excellent performer and her music is a complex although melodic. I enjoy listening even tough the German language is the worst, but with NH serving it doesn't matter (still, a few tracks are in English).
this CD is a good place to start knowing Nina Hagen great voice, every track is a pleasure. the only bad thing about it is that you'll end up wanting more of her.

COSMA INFINITE NINA.......2006-03-11

A great listen if you're in the mood for punk rock, high energetic music. And Nina truly delivers! I enjoy this when I just want to get down and get damn crazy in my apartment. My personal favorites are "Zarah";starts off with a slow cabaret style vocal ala MARLENE DIETRICH, but really a tribute to 1930's german singer ZARAH LENDER, which progresses into GIORGIO MORODER'S frenetic dance beats;"COSMA SHIVA" which has a nice groove, yet ethereal and outworldly sounding. Cosma Shiva by the way is the name of her daughter. Other tracks that are noteworthy are AFRICAN REGGAE, SPIRIT IN THE SKY, WHITE PUNKS ON DOPE(don't know the german title off hand), UNIVERSAL RADIO and NEW YORK,NEW YORK.

Julius-Allan

Still really delicious!.......2005-10-22

I'm a huge Nina fan, and I don't speak a word of German. That ought to tell you something right there.

I picked up this disc purely because "My Sensation" is one of those tracks you develop an addiction to, and absolutely have to hear repeatedly or you run a substantial risk of spontaneously combusting (or something to that effect). Just give this song one listen and you'll be amazed... then try dancing to it. Blissful. It's pure fun from beginning to end, and it's one of the few tracks by any artist that I never get tired of.

Unfortunately, this song turned out to still be my favorite track by the end. Didn't really discover anything new here. "Universal Radio" is a keeper, and definitely worth a listen. But some stuff ("New York, New York", for example) that I was never wildly fond of in German gets even less pleasant in English. Nina's English isn't nearly as natural as her German, and I really think you miss out on a lot of her charm.

So all in all? This disc gets its fair share of time coarsing through my speakers, but I very seldom listen to the whole record through. I'm glad I bought it, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it as an intro to The Mother of Punk. Shop around a little more, perhaps. Take a little time to enjoy Nina's work with an open mind and I really think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

The Original Freakazoid.......2005-10-04

I just had to chime in because I ALMOST put down my loose change for a Nina compilation, I'm always a sucker for all these 5 star Amazon reviews and I had heard of her growing up in NYC in the late 70's-81. But thank God, Amazon also has the tracks to sample because I now remember how Nina was never played at the clubs I would go to unless maybe it was freak night, or I guess this would play well at an S&M club. I was just thinking if they used her music in the movie Eurotrip when the dude is in Amsterdam and the hot S&M dominatrix ties him down and all the muscle bound dudes pop out and you know what happens next, lol. Nina had to have been the music for a scene like that. I'm not against "weird" stuff, or German stuff (I own Lene Lovich, and Kraftwerk), I'm just not into music that is weird for the sake of being weird unless it sounds good. Not trying to put down Nina, she obviously has her fans; I'm just posting this for people new to her stuff so they get a little balance, definitely listen to the samples first to see if this is for you.

Average customer rating:

Dream Within a Dream

Manufacturer: Bomb Squad 111 Productions
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CAA7LA
Release Date: 2004-05-04

Average customer rating:

Really, did we need a separate listing for the import?

Abductions & Reconstructions
Thievery Corporation
Manufacturer: 18th.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Trip-Hop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005J8Q1
Release Date: 2001-03-01

Customer Reviews:

Really, did we need a separate listing for the import?.......2005-03-13

This is the exact same version as is found on the main page. If anyone tries to tell you different, they're lying. A great compilation of Thievery remixes of other people, and is often the only way to find most of their earlier remixes these days (as many of the original singles are long out-of-print; the Gus Gus single being a great example). The reason these remixes are so great is that they don't try and turn the song into Thievery songs with guest vocals. They turn them into completely new songs that just sound great (perhaps like many other artists, they make remixes out of songs they have that just don't fit onto albums). I would also like to state that I think they should do another album of their remixes. Many of the ones that don't appear here are great (especially the ones of Luscious Jackson's "Nervous Breakthrough" and The Januaries' "The Girl's Insane").

Average customer rating:

Abductions with the Alter Boy

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Rock | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00007H093
Release Date: 2002-11-01

Tracks:

Nucleus
I Am the Abductor
Global Warming
Brain at the Center of Your Mind
Which Doktor

Album Description

ASTROSURF! These wiggling cyborganisms will infect your entire music planet with dance. The Tin Gods' highly volatile sound compositonal systems will vibrate the pleasure centers of surf and sci-fi fans alike. This 5-track EP is enhanced with interactive games and video clips from the cult classic TV show "Abductions with the Alter Boy." Prepare to upgrade your mental operating systems with Alter Boy's psychotronic and ecologically aware MESSAGE FROM SPACE.

Album Review:

Album Review

Album Review