Every Day
An old music-press adage claims that second albums are notoriously "difficult." If this were true, thenEvery Dayshould be one big disappointment. The fact that it's arguably one of 2002's finest jazz albums (yes, jazz--as in real, old-fashioned, clarinets-and-trumpets jazz) proves how talented Jason Swinscoe's Cinematic Orchestra are. Following up their impeccable debut,Motion, was going to be tough, but they've surpassed themselves here. While the former was a fusion of sample-culture smoky, backroom jazz,Every Dayis jazz pure and simple--old jazz for the nu-jazz generation. "Man with the Movie Camera," "Burnout," and "Flite" are near-perfect soundtrack jazz pieces: epic, shuffling, ever shifting. "All That You Give" and "Evolution" highlight the enchanting vocals of legendary soul singerFontella Bass. Best of all, though, is theRoots Manuvacollaboration "All Things to All Men"--proof that jazz and rap aren't as strange bedfellows as some may think. It's spellbinding stuff and sure to be one of 2002's finer albums.--Matt Anniss