Thunderball are back with "Cinescope", their third full-length album. Opening up with "The Road To Benares" the duo drop some of the toughest Hindi breaks I've heard in a while, following that up with more tough breaks graced by funky sitar and the vocoded vox of none other than Afrika Bambaataa. If you think mad breaks accented by some Indian influences is all the thunder have in store...you'd be a back street walking, bullshit talking, ego tripping fool.

1. The Road To Benares
2. Electric Shaka (feat. Afrika Bambaataa)
3. Return Of The Panther (feat. Mustafa Akbar)
4. Get Up With The Get Down (feat. Miss Johnna M. & Mustafa Akbar)
5. Thunder In The Jungle (feat. Afrika Bamabaataa)
6. Strictly Rude Boy (feat. Roots and Zeebo of See-I)
7. Lost Vagueness
8. Chicachiquita (feat. Miss Johnna M.)
9. To Sir With Dub
10. Elevated States (feat. Mustafa Akbar)
11. Last Flight Out

There's no question that breakbeats and funky vibes are the unifying theme to Cinescope. From start to finish there are few intermissions, but the style switches up nicely, from swank, polyester 60's/70's cinema grooves, to blaxploitation beats, and sexed out, smooth Brazilian lounge vibes, so you're never overwhelmed by having to take in too many beats at once without a chance to step back and catch your breath (or work the kinks out of your neck).

Guests include not only Akrika Bambaataa but long-time collaborators Mustafa Akbar, Miss Johnna M., and Roots and Zeebo of See-I as well.

There's a nice dub groover with "Strictly Rude Boy" that slows the tempo way down, but keeps the head nodding. "The Mysterious Mr. Sandobar" picks it up on the downslide and that's when the sound moves into a little bit of Brazilian lounge, healthfully glowing from a bit of wah guitar and 70's horn stabs, but keeping it down to a lush tempo.

Thunderball have never been ones to disappoint and they don't start now, so if you place yourself in the funky bitch category, get your hands on this one.

Add a Comment