Scorpio Rising

by Bret LoveOne can only guess which Hollywood director will be the first to enlist Thunderball masterminds Sid Barcelona and Steve Raskin to compose the score for his or her next movie, but rest assured it will be worth dropping a hard-earned eight bucks for admission. On the heels of their critically acclaimed (and very appropriately titled) debut, Ambassadors of Style, Scorpio Rising is an even more seamless imaginary soundtrack. In Thunderball's world, blaxploitation funk, cinematic soul, bossa nova lounge, downtempo dub, and downtown drum'n'bass all come together to create a hipster vibe few other groups could even aspire to, let alone create. From the Curtis Mayfield tribute of the opening "Heart of the Hustler" and the airy jungle jazz of "Vai Vai" to the ambient, Indian-influenced hip-hop of "Stereo Tonic," these guys blend styles like Esquivel mixes drinks, making this the coolest album you'll hear since United Future Organization disappeared. Could someone please give Guy Ritchie Thunderball's number?