The Diabolus 12" is three tracks of downtempo jazz culled from sessions conceived to combine sampling (Jason Swinscoe in the producer's chair) and live playing (Tom Chant ss, elp, p / Daniel Howard dr / Phil France el b, b.)  "Diabolus" owes something to David Axelrod's orchestrated funk, as the players improvise around a reportedly large bite of Buddy Rich's original cut of the same name, while "Continuum" builds suspense by dropping trap and bass solos over a piano and vibraphone theme.  On these tracks, particularly the former, the blending of the real and the sampled is nearly seamless and must be kinda disturbing for those concerned with such matters.  One of Ninja Tune's finest moments, really. [DW]

Motion is so far, in my book, the best modern kozmigroov of the year! Very impressive music. The whole album has a serious downtempo "smokey" feel to it, though one tune does reminds me of Amon Tobin's version of drum-n-bass. Overall though, "Motion" is a downtempo jazz album with modern beats and analog instruments: drums, organ, trumpet, sax, clarient, bass-clarient, double-bass, piano, etc. A good portion of it is sampled sounds, but damn, it's hard to tell. No techno or electronica or "neo" anything. It's not just music with jazz overtones or influence, this is jazz: Modern Kozmigroov. [FF]

_Man With The Movie Camera_
The Cinematic Orchestra finally really move into the group's moniker for this late model soundtrack to the classic avant garde silent film! We never would have pegged Dziga Vertov's 1929 film for a jazz-funk score, but CO mastermind Jason Swinscoe succeeds with aplomb! The score is performed with 10 pieces that include piano & keyboards, double bass, violin, viola, cello, saxophone, turntables and effects. It's full of rolling, densely layered passages that kind of settle into a jammy, live post drum & bass groove, but still echoes a lot of the more interesting things that were happening on 70s soundtracks. It's centered around a great redux of the Art Ensemble's "Theme De Yoyo", and the whole thing waltzes in and out a lot of the things we love about both 70s jazz-funk soundtracks and modern groove. A very strong piece -- one that blends the Cinematic Orchestra vibe we already know and love with a sound similar the soundtrack work of people like Herbie Hancock, Gato Barbieri, and John Barry! [DustyGroove]

Super band!
[Šime]

The best thing about cinematic orchestra is live performances. I've saw them once, can't wait until I have chance to see them again.. (probably never)

And.. I highly recomend bootleg from DuMaurier Jazz Festival Vancouver 2001, it's floating here and there on the internet.
[Tadas]

The Cinematic Orchestra is the best band to emerge in this new century. Luke Flowers, the band's drummer, in particular is a stunning player. His feel is absolutely incredible. I had the pleasure of seeing the band perform in Chicago last year and it was the best live performance I've seen in a few years. Search out any live material you can by this group, as they travel further in their live sets than on the records. Everyday is one of the most amazing downtempo albums ever made. The collaborations with Fontella Bass are rewarding as her voice cuts through you. Aptly named, the Cinematic Orchestra creates incredibly lush soundscapes that continue to call my name. Go see them live at all costs.
[Graham]