(ESL Music)

www.eslmusic.com

There is no doubt that Thievery Corporation's core duo, Rob Garza and Eric Hilton, are talented electronic music producers well versed in both world music and DJ culture. The problem with the beats and compositions they make is that it is often bogged down in mid-tempo car-commercial-ready tones and themes that don't require much from the listener. Perhaps Radio Retaliation was never meant as a challenge. But as the Corporation mines Middle Eastern, Jamaican, Latin American, and African culture for their samples and ideas, as well as their guest vocalists, the music listlessly falls into the murky and broad moat of "world music."

There are some inspired moments, such as the opening dub/reggae tune, featuring Sleepy Wonder, "Sound the Alarm," and the revolutionary-spouting jazz of "Retaliation Suite." Elsewhere, Femi Kuti, Seu Jorge, and Zee all lend their tuneful vocal talents to the record. Great as background music for a clothing store or cocktail lounge, there's just not enough bite on Radio to make one want to come back for more.

Standout Tracks: "Beautiful Drug," "Sound the Alarm" JONAH FLICKER