(Azuli/Stomp)

Cult UK soundscapists beautifully score another imaginary movie

Mood music supremos and certified film enthusiasts, The Cinematic Orchestra’s selections for the chillout-friendly Late Night Tales series literally yell out “impeccable taste”. Leader Jason Swinscoe assumes the directing duties for the “Movie Of Our Minds”, commencing with the first notes of Flying Lotus’ LA-EP3. Only represented here by two low-key tracks – Restaurant and a re-imagining of longtime collaborator Fontella Bass’ Talking About Freedom – the music noir collective offer a rich, varied mix spanning jazz (Eddie Gale, Terry Callier, The Freedom Sounds), folk (Nick Drake’s haunting Three Hours), dubstep (Burial’s Dog Shelter), conventional electronica (St Germain) and nearly everything else in between and beyond. Shuggie Otis’ irresistibly groovy Aht Uh Mi Hed (from 1974’s lost masterpiece Inspiration Information) seamlessly segues into Thom Yorke’s Black Swan while the skittering arpeggios of Steve Reich’s Electric Counterpoint III precede Bjork’s imperial Joga (which then blends with Imogen Heap’s eerie Cumulus). A suitable piece for any love scene/dramatic climax, Sebastian Tellier’s libidinous La Ritournelle evokes the spirit of a certain late, Gitanes-smoking Gallic icon. The compilation’s widescreen feel is further accentuated by Burt Bacharach’s South American Getaway from Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid soundtrack and Will Self’s concluding spoken-word excerpt from The Happy Detective. Nailing the concept of smooth transition to a tee, this CD could be one of the best playlists anywhere. Dead cool.

****½

DENIS SEMCHENKO

Be first to comment on this article

Write Comment
Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Poster's IP addresses are logged.
Name:
Comment:
Code:*