eMusic Review 0
Back at the dawn of Ninja Tune just over two decades ago, critics often talked about the label’s artists creating soundtracks for movies that didn’t exist, alluding to the extended, experimental turntablism and cut ‘n’ paste aural narratives the label specialized in. Beginning with their new score for Dziga Vertov’s 1929 silent masterpiece Man With A Movie Camera, performed at the Porto Film Festival in 2001, The Cinematic Orchestra — led by former Ninja employee Jason Swinscoe — took this concept a step further, composing and performing new soundtracks for movies that already exist, a practice they’ve pursued ever since.
In Motion Pt. 1 is the latest iteration of Swinscoe’s project, inviting various kindred spirits — including Austria-based electronic maverick Dorian Concept, young Los Angeleno pianist Austin Peralta, and Brooklyn singer/songwriter The Grey Reverend — to join his ever-evolving band in composing new soundtrack pieces with a string quartet. The Grey Reverend’s “Regen,” penned to accompany a poetic 1929 short depicting a rainstorm engulfing a Dutch city, is a meditative piece; the Rev’s deftly plucked acoustic guitar evokes delicate rainfall, with occasional stormy interludes from the string section. Austin Peralta’s “Lapis,” inspired by an early work of computer animation from 1966,… read more »
