The Soundtrack To Your Summer

About eight years ago, when most of us were bidding farewell to the 20th century and preparing to open the door of the new millennium with both hope and trepidation, British DJ/multi-instrumentalist/composer Jason Swinscoe was busy assembling a new band. Under the brilliant direction of Swinscoe, this band, Cinematic Orchestra, obliged itself to record what could be heard as the soundtrack of a new era of infinite possibilities or imminent apocalypse, depending on your outlook.

The Orchestra’s modus operandi was similar to that of St. Germain—a group of live musicians improvising over sampled rhythms provided by Swinscoe. Their full-length debut, Motion, arrived in 1999 and was described as jazzy ambient electronica—although Swinscoe suggests calling it chamber funk. Over the next four years, the Orchestra released three more albums, including a remix project, on the Ninja Tune label. These albums (yes, albums—some people still believe in vinyl) were lush layers of carefully distilled grooves that landed on the shelves of fans of trip-hop and acid jazz, lovers of Morcheeba and Miles and Moby.

Now, after a several year hiatus, Cinematic Orchestra is on the road again and coming to NYC to support their most recent release, Ma Fleur. The return of the Orchestra to the studio came after what Swinscoe calls a necessary “cooling off period.”

“We had been touring for a couple of years which, after a while, takes a toll on you,” explains Swinscoe. “The thing was to kill that motion sickness that you get when you are constantly moving.” Once Swinscoe settled into being at home, “the new record started to take shape. This required an injection ofsome new sounds and instruments.”

One of the new sounds is the voice of Patrick Watson, who co-wrote the track “To Build A Home.” Watson’s vocal contribution, which along with the melancholic piano arrangement will summon comparisons to Coldplay, is a departure for a band that has historically been known for instrumentals with only sampled vocals. And while the album does feature more singing than the Orchestra’s past efforts, the record is yet another melodic soundtrack, taking the listener on a dramatic flight through a narrative inspired by photographs and stories supplied by Swinscoe’s friends. In addition to Watson, the Orchestra will bring new faces Stuart McCallum (guitar), Nick Ramm (piano) and guest vocalist, Heidi Vogel. They join Swinscoe and Orchestra veterans Luke Flowers (drums), Phil France (bass) and Tom Chant (sax) for three North American dates—two of which are in NYC—before heading to Europe and then back to the States.

The octet will be performing at two very different venues, both in size and atmosphere—Central Park SummerStage and Joe’s Pub.

“I definitely think there will be a different feel and approach to both shows,” says Swinscoe. “Each will have a different intensity due to the closeness of the audience and the connection that is made there. Even the fact of playing in open spaces changes your perception of sound and space relative to intimate spaces as Joe’s Pub.”

Whether you’re staring at the stars or snuggling in a booth, Cinematic Orchestra will no doubt provide a memorable score to the movie of your life, at least for a night or two.

July 7, Central Park Summerstage, Rumsey Playfield, E. 72nd St. at Fifth Ave., 212-360-2756; 3-7, free. (July 8 at Joe’s Pub).