Original Cinemais a long time favorite of mine, but not for the usual reasons.  The music is great and creative.  I am a sucker for their mix of talent and especially the steel drums.

My extra sweet wife had been trying to teach me some music theory, showing the structure of music composition.   This CD came along just as I was understanding back beat and the 4 and 8 measure cycles.   It was the perfect example when the concepts needed fleshing out.

The second track, “Extravertical” is great fun.  I would really listen to the flow of the song, counting the measures.  I learned to keep track of when a cycle of 4 and 8 bars was complete by listening for the drummer telegraphing the coming down beat (big cymbal crash!) which is the first beat of a new cycle.

I am amazed at how much variety can be made within the rules: 4:4 time, emphasized second and forth beat (back beat), a limited array of instruments with their own rules, melody rules.  The ear expects smooth jazz music (and most other genres) to fit in a narrow, familiar band.  But within those constraints the talented musicians touch our hearts and move us.

Enough of that!  I am supposed to be reviewing Original Cinema, a great work by Spyro Gyra.  This is not my strong suit, but give it a listen.  You will not be sorry.
Released in 2003 by Heads up records, Original Cinema is full of treats.  Jay Beckenstein produced the album and wrote over half of the songs.  In addition to “Extravertical,” a favorite is “Cape Town Love,” featuring lots of steel drum.  I can almost feel the cruise ship rolling under my feet!