TBTS Reviews: Thunderball – 12 Mile High

What’s that? You say you’re having a party? And you need some new tunes to boost your cool factor. Fear not true believers, Thunderball is at it again with 12 Mile High. Cooking up a fresh batch of  beats from their D.C. kitchen (otherwise know as Fort Knox Studios), on Thievery Corporation’s ESL Music label, Thunderball has prepared a masterful thirteen track feast of sitar, soulful voices, porn guitar and blatant drug references. The perfect audio recipe for a memorable late night get together.

12 Mile High is the fourth studio release from the trio of Rob Myers, Steve Raskin and Sid Barcelona, and is in keeping with the insta-soundtrack style they are constantly working to perfect. Each release moves them a little farther along the path. I will not be surprised in the least to see this group doing movie scores in the very near future. In fact, if Super Fly was going to be remade, “IC Colors” would be a perfect choice. Come to think of it, a third of the Thunderball catalog is pre-qualified for an appearance. They certainly make no attempt to hide that they listened to a lot of Curtis Mayfield from back in the day.

Sonically the group is well travelled, and ‘oh the places you’ll go’ while listening to this disc. If the Jamaican Tourist Board isn’t seriously considering “Runaway” as part of their next ad campaign they need to fire their marketing department. “Enter the Brahmin” and “Flippin’ It On” are both highlights as well. Each track has an individual mood, vibe and implied location. With colder temps on the way, 12 Mile High will be a great disc to have on hand for warming up a crowd. Vroom vroom party starter.