Customer Reviews

Scorpio Rising

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Ive read reviews here for years and have never been compelled to write one EVER. I cant wax lyrical about about much but I will say that, at the very least, even if you bought this album off the back of hearing just a snippet of one of these tunes, I promise you, you wont go wrong. Ive been searching for the holy grail as far as the perfect album is concerned and never really found it - but I have had this album in my car constantly since I bought it a few years ago, and whilst other cd's have come and gone, this one will not go away, and frankly, I wouldnt want it to. Its bright, bubbly, smooth but punchy when it has to be, and I cant think of a moment in the day when you wouldnt want to slip this on and it still hits the spot....remarkable.

Thunderball, like many of its colleagues on the ESL label, define the new era of lounge. I've listened to the album from end to end without skipping one song. All you need is a smoky lounge, a stiff martini, and this CD playing and you realize life is pretty good.

Let my words be the first to bless this defining point album by Thunderball. The likes of SuperFly, Foxy Brown, and of course, Shaft, along with others of the slick city style genre should use this album as theme music. They say it is hard to repeat a winner, but Thunderball has ascended to a new level of style with Scorpio Rising as compared to Ambassador of Style, their first album. Scorpio Rising blasts onto the scene with the opening track, 'Heart of the Hustler', which automatically gives you the idea that this will be a long and smooth ride through the melodic and mesmerizing streets of a pimped out big city. Pimped out in a good way. From there, 'Domino' through 'Golden' gives a cinematic flush to the ears and imagination of the listener, bringing a true pleasure and new drama with every song. This is accomplished because the album unfolds like a soundtrack to a movie flick...a Powerful Black Exploitation flick...in a good way as well. Thunderball is the Hustler on this album.
In addition, I must say The Eighteenth Street Lounge record label has their finger on the pulse of today's slick style music, with artist like Nicola Conte, Thievery Corporation, Desmond Williams, and Thunderball, check'em out.

Stylish, yet not confined to one style. From SuperFly sounding tracks, to house to breakbeats, yet all unmistakably Thunderball.

No filler - every track is solid.

If you've been put off by their previous release (which was quite weak), give them one more try. It will be worth it.

This is one of the best chilled albums i got, the music itself is very seductive, chilled, groovy (+ any other word if you can think of in this genre!). It was really a discovery for me, i won't describe it as just-another chill-out CD or even only-chill-out music; Thunderball guys shows exceptional talent in creating music in both down-temp and upbeat styles, the whole album is brilliant, sexy vocals are on top. The two highlights of the album, are "Heart of the hustler" and "Angela's Lament", the later is personal favorite. Addictive. Hats off and five stars for Scorpio Rising.

As the newest release from the star-studded label 18th Street Lounge, Thunderball gracefully maintains the label's aesthetic of impeccable downtempo. Exploiting the subtle nuances between breakbeat, dub, and drum'n'bass is what has garnered them a worldwide reputation as the true 'Ambassadors of Style.' "Scorpio Rising" plays like an ESL mixtape, from the drum'n'bass of the opener Heart of a Hustler with Curtis Mayfield-ish vocals; to the afro-beat groove of 'Sapphire', including vocal chants and syncopated horn stabs; to the bossa nova clave of 'Solar'. Their penchants for world travel as well as '70s action movies truly create a special atmosphere. Quite like the Thievery Corporation's debut, too.

If smooth rockin' grooves, cool, superfly riffs and ultra-sexy vocals are your thang, BUY THIS NOW! This CD is an inspiration. It made me realize how good music can truly transport you back to a time when quality music was out there for the picking. It also has the most modern feel w/out sacrificing any of the quality retro sounds. I love all kinds of music and this CD totally rocks! Not a filler track on here, ALL gems!

Funky, Groovy, this CD is fantastic all the way though. It has a retro 70's spy feel to it. This CD is filled with an excellent use of drums, guitar, and sexy vocals.

If a "blaxploitation" film was to ever be done in the 21st century, Thunderball's "Scorpio Rising" would be the perfect soundtrack for it. This baby is reminiscent of everything that used to be good about 70s music: the horn stabs, funky "wah-wahs", thunder-ous basslines, melodious strings, afro-centric percussions and vocals with sass-itude. Thunderball has done a masterful job of crafting every song on "Scorpio Rising" into a unique, yet familiar sounding CD that Curtis Mayfield, The Brothers Johnson, Isaac Hayes and Willie Hutch would be proud of. Exceptionally groovey, and relaxing at the same time, "Scorpio Rising" will appeal to all ages, even that "pimped-out" uncle who still does 70s dance moves at parties and starts every sentence with, "Watch Out There Now!!!

If it's smooth grooves you're lookin' for this CD deserves a listen. It took me a while to find a copy at a reasonable price, but it was worth the hunting and waiting. The soft sexy vocals, drums and electronica will transport you to a new ultra-cool universe. Three highlights are "Heart of the Hustler", "Sapphire" and "Angela's Lament".