Customer Reviews

Ambassadors of Style

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Although a lot of the songs on this have drum and bass beats and mixwell with drum and bass songs, a lot of them have hip hop beats and there is even some down-tempo lounge. It's a dope lp and the songs all are super good, but this isn't a strictly drum and bass album. If you've heard theivery corporation, this is a lot like them. They have a more laid back approach to drum and bass and the whole electronic scene. They do blend in a lot of different styles like funk and reggae but the songs are deffinately not going in the direction of "electronic" sounding electronic music. To listen to, this whole release is excellent, all styles covered and done well. Female vocalists to crazy jamaican rappers to reflective moods all in a well rounded release in the tradition of the 18th street lounge style.

I bought this album because I'm a fan of Thievery Corporation and their label, Eighteenth St. Lounge. I'd heard a couple of songs of Thunderball from other ESL compilations and was sure that I'd like this album. I took it home, played it and was disappointed. As far as I was concerned, these guys were blatantly pimping themselves as the 21st century version of John Barry (cliché spy reference) by naming themselves "Thunderball" and giving their opening song a title like "Hijack." I found this album's sound too eclectic and filed it away in my collection.

However, I was wrong. This album rewards repeated listening. It's eclecticism is it's strength. This album goes from up-tempo (This Girl) to down-tempo (The Moon, the Sky), from Dub, Drum `n' Bass (Selector) to Trip Hop (Sid's Mellow Trip)(sorry, gratuitous genre references) and for most of the album, somewhere in-between all of these and other categories. This album lacks the obvious hooks of other electronica artists--it's breakbeat lite and uses female vocals sparingly (This Girl, Sirocco). It works on a subtle level more appropriate for a near future spy thriller soundtrack a la James Bond (sorry).

Thunderball, I believe, has a talent level comparable to label-mates Thievery Corporation. Listen to "Ambassadors of Style" as a soundtrack and not an album and you might hear what I hear--music for an imagined film.

My opinion of Thunderball hasn't changed--I still think they're pimping to do a James Bond Soundtrack. However, I no longer believe that's a bad thing.

I bought this album because of the incredible hype surrounding it. Naturally, ESL recordings is behind this album, or at least its logo is on the back of it, but it doesn't sound like anything from ESL or Thievery. That's a good thing. As good as Thievery is, the sound can get a little monotonous after a while. Thunderball doesn't sound like drum and bass to me. It sounds like lounge on speed. Maybe it's just semantics. I loved this CD. It was varied, groovy, and full of funkiness that Thievery does not possess. For that reason, Thunderball is a perfect album to compliment the ESL label and the ESL sound. It's refreshing. It's good. It's music. Buy it.

I was always under the impression that Thievery Corporation's Eric and Rob were somewhat anti-drum&bass. Perhaps because every time an ESL dj drops a record remotely resembling drum&bass, baffled hipsters on the Lounge's dance floor scratch their heads and scurry off to the bar where it's safe. But judging from the various d&b tracks that appear on their various CDs, I knew DC's dynamic duo couldn't keep Thunderball under wraps for much longer. Hence the new Thunderball CD on their own ESL label. Here we see a nice collection of drum&bass and down-tempo tracks that make an excellent addition to the ESL collection. Although the "album" is comprised mostly of previously released tracks (that appear on various discs and singles), it's nice to have their best pieces on one disc. Whereas the established drum&bass elite in the UK and their copycat "elite" in the US tend to emphasize cacophonous rhythms that resemble juvenille thrash-metal, Thunderball approach drum&bass from a relaxed dub aesthetic. Not quite a "break through" album by drum&bass standards this particular album provides any jaded junglist (or any music aficionado) with a mature alternative. Ambassadors of Style not only advertises Thunderball's studio prowess and unique low-key style but also offers a ray of hope for "real" US (and DC) drum&bass music. Unfortunately, Grooverider and his London cohorts set the standards and DC's best kept drum&bass secret will probably remain a secret. I only wish Steve and Sid the best, and raise two thumbs for a more than worthy album. Much respect.

for everybody out there who are sick of clubs and the ate ups buy this album. I think this ablum is more for the living room rather than the dance floor. for the first time that i have heard; thunderball offer up a delicious mind racing album full of tight rythms, deep bass hits , and soothing melodies. just incredible. perfect

With hardstep so dominant in the d&b world right now, it is refreshing to hear breakbeats and bass with some sense of subtlety. The most rockin' track on this album (and the initial reason I bought it) is the collision of d&b and dancehall on track 5. However, that track is actually atypical of the rest of the material; instead it ranges from gentle d&b to down-tempo, with some dub-ish elements and pop-ish vocals also entering the mix. The result isn't entirely fresh but by-and-large satisfying. If you need a break from d&b a la Dieselboy (respect going out all the same!), and need an alternative to LTJ Bukem, give this a try.

Having been given doses of Thunderball over the course of numerous ESL releases, I was eager to hear this whole cd.

This is not your standard ESL/Theivery sound. That's not at all bad. It just comes down to a difference between expectations and what this cd delivers.

This one is pretty much your standard d&b. While not as intrusive as some 400 bpm d&b that's out there, it is very similar to Goldie's Metalheadz release. In fact, I think some of the Metalheadz ilk do a better job than Thunderball.

Further still, I think LTJ Bukem approached this sound extremely well on his "Progessions" double cd.

If you truly want to enjoy something in this vein that is remarkable, check out any of Amon Tobin's releases.

I say "quiet music" because it seems like even the more energetic songs on this album are subdued. But this album will grow on you before you know it. This music, if hard to define, is definitely original. Definitely a nice fit in the eighteenth street lounge label. I call it dub'n'bass. Check it out, you will dig.

well, I must say, I expected much more from a dj coming of the ESL label, since I love Thievery Corporation so much, but THunderball is NO thievery Corporation...there are a few fun tracks, but all in all the cd is fairly neutral and run of the mill...there really isn't much that distinguishes it from many other Drum and bass cds...but some may like it. Not all bad, but certainly nothing to fawn over...