Originally
published on isnotwas.com
Hailing all collectors of eclectica:
here’s a disc for you. J. Swinscoe is Cinematic Orchestra,
and he’s released this compilation of remixes from just
a handful of projects he’s worked on between 1998 and 2000.
For some, this effort may come off as “music to study by,”
but it’s an elegant, understated effort truly worthy of
your attention.
Swinscoe begins by forging a jazzy remix from
Faze Action’s “Moving Cities” single. Later,
Nils Petter Molvaer’s “Vilderness” is mixed
in a free-jazz jammin’ mode, too.
Actually, much of this disc seems more a free-jazz
jam sess than a remix album, and, for me, that’s a good
thing – remix albums often bore me silly. You’re usually
lucky to get much more than a litany of pedestrian remixes—most
more soporific than invigorating. In contrast, these songs demand
your attention, and given that attention, the seemingly simple
pieces reveal a layered complexity, which ultimately gels as an
organic whole. Swinscoe shows a mature musical sensibility throughout,
choosing instruments for his mixes judiciously and creatively.
Any electronic elements appear so discreetly they’re practically
invisible.
Swinscoe displays his careful instrumentation
best perhaps on his remix of Piero Umiliani’s “Panoramica.”
Delicate piano opens the track, the slow throbbing strums of a
bass join in, and eventually a smattering of light percussion
for what amounts to an essentially minimalistic mix.
If you can imagine a wah-wah peddle getting employed
with some subtlety, that’s exactly what happens in the slo-mo
groove of the “Channel One Suite,” which (just to
confuse you) is a Tom Tyler remix of a Cinematic Orchestra original.
The tune flits among horns and guitars and drum and the afore-mentioned
wah-wah groove with surprisingly sinuous ease.
We’re on a journey through
time and space here, too. Kenjo Eno’s “The Fear Theme”
has a stately Eastern bearing and sounds convincingly like a refugee
of the 60s or early 70s. Les Gammas’ “Guauanco”
also builds gracefully and couples African vocals and drums with
Latin-sounding guitar, flute, and bass for a lovely tripping effect.
A remix of DJ Krust’s “Re-Arrange”
rounds things off with some refined drum ‘n’ bass.
The piece has a voluptuous lethargy about it that brings the album
to a perfect close.
Though this stuff may appeal more to the NPR set
than the club set, it’ll likely appeal best to those who
are members of both crowds. Certainly a sophisticated addition
to any collection.
9/10
Robert Stribley
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