The Cinematic Orchestra: To Believe (Ninja Tune)

This first studio album in 12 years from the much-lauded creators of widescreen, jazz-tinged electronica comes with an impressive roster of helpmates, chief among them Heidi Vogel and Roots Manuva. The rapper lends his unmistakeable rumble to Caged Bird/Imitations Of Life, nearly seven minutes long and redolent of that same sad, slow-burn majesty which marked Billy McKenzie’s late solo work. Vogel, the band’s regular touring vocalist, features on 11-minute closing track A Promise, her sparse vocals transported to the eight minute mark on nothing more than harmonics and trembling strings before cymbal-heavy drum rolls and fills kick in for the final act. Elsewhere there are winning contributions from American singer-songwriter pair Moses Sumney (on the downtempo title track, one of the best songs Frank Ocean never wrote) and Grey Reverend, who guests on Zero One/This Fantasy, a pulsing ensemble piece once again featuring those scattering drum patterns. At a time when British jazz is healthier than it has been for years, To Believe marks an illustrious return for one of the scene’s veteran acts.

BARRY DIDCOCK