DJ Kicks
It seems Studio K7 do no wrong when its comes to their widely adoredDJ Kicksseries. The German label has showcased the record-selecting talents of DJs and producers from around the world, and in doing so has become a reliable brand name for quality home listening. This installment has Thievery Corporation, Washington, D.C.'s masters of the mellow groove, flexing their skills. The mood across the disc's 18 tracks is decidedly laid-back, but eclectically so.Les Baxter's '60s cinematic lounge sets the scene, but the second track is a quick fast-forward into modern lounge, as provided by Kraut-chillers A Forest Mighty Black. The vibe spans the gamut from sitar-and-tabla world beat (Up Bustle & Out) to dubby (Rockers Hi-Fi), but in the end, it's the Corp's own works that are the true standouts. This is easy listening for the hipster set; background music for the space-age dinner party.--Courtney Reimer