Thievery Corporation's second album strengthens the duo's reputation as masters of downtempo, internationally influenced beats. Borrowing from bossa nova, dub reggae, French torch songs, Italian movie soundtracks, and jazz, THE MIRROR CONSPIRACY is a sophisticated, pleasurable listen.

The album is sequenced beautifully, with sexy, world-weary tracks such as "Samba Tranquille" floating into the downtempo torch stylings of "Shadows of Ourselves." The album's international flavor comes from places as diverse as Jamaica, ("Focus on Sight" featuring I-See on vocals), Paris' Arab quarter ("Le Monde"), and opium dens and teahouses ("Indra," "Lebanese Blonde"). Rob Hilton and Eric Garza, the men behind Thievery Corporation, also have active remix and DJ careers. They're co-owners of Washington D.C.'s 18th St. Lounge, a club where the Thievery Corporation sound gets tested and exercised at each evening's DJ sets. Their remix album ABDUCTIONS AND RECONSTRUCTIONS is another excellent example of their masterful production work.