Not that we’re counting down, not that we’re already planning our days off for July, but it’s officially just 40 days until one of the most anticipated concerts of this music-filled summer. On the 9th of July, on his 7th day Release Athens 2024headliners will be two of the most influential duos of the world music scene, Thievery Corporation, with Black Pumas.

The latter are coming to our country for the first time, the former are well-known and loved, however many (for me I say) have never had the opportunity to see them live. So this night will mean a lot to those who love these two bands and I think needless to say we are looking forward to it.

So while we wait, the solution to pass the days is one thing: Listen to all 10 legendary (each for their own reasons) Thievery Corporation records cover to cover – and if you’re not that die-hard, you can just add my favorites from each album to your playlists, so that you are fully prepared for this awesome live show at Platia Nerou on July 9th.

  • Sounds from the Thievery Hi-Fi – 1996

This was the first record released by the duo of Rob Garza and Eric Hilton. It may not have reached the huge success that Mirror Conspiracy would know a few years later, but it was a very historic first sample of what the Thievery Corporation duo could achieve, already distinguished for their experimentation with dub and downtempo. Obviously, in the following years, after their success, this record was much more appreciated. His highlights? Shaolin Satellite, A Warning and Incident at Gate 7 (a completely random choice, although Olympiacos will certainly honor it, after their Conference League triumph yesterday).

  • The Mirror Conspiracy – 2000

Their first major worldwide success – which was delayed by a year as they were forced to postpone the album’s release when they lost their tapes in a robbery. Fortunately, they didn’t shy away and somehow gave us one of the most beautiful records, full of mid-tempo electro lounge beats, for which we love them to this day. The whole record is a highlight, however if I had to pick my own favourites, obviously Lebanese Blonde would be my first thought, with Shadows of Ourselves, Le Monde and Air Batucada following.

  • The Richest Man in Babylon – 2002

Perhaps their best work in these almost 30 years of presence. Here their experimentation with traditional Middle Eastern sounds went to another level – to the same high level as their sound as a whole. What’s also interesting about this record is that on the vocals we hear languages ​​from all over the world, French, Italian, Persian, Romanian and even Hindi. Obviously, the most famous track of this record is the title track, which has not stopped playing on Greek radios at least, 22 years later. Equally great tracks are Heaven’s Gonna Burn Your Eyes, Facing East, All that we Perceive.

  • Cosmic Game – 2005

After the huge success of The Richest Man in Babylon, our favorite duo have taken a very interesting turn into psychedelia, with an interesting mix of reggae, electronic and lounge and David Byrne and Flaming Lips also make an appearance. It’s the perfect album to end your night with tracks like Warning Shots, Revolution Solution, Amerimacka, Satyam Shivam Sundaram.

Read more at monopoli.gr