A jazz and downtempo ensemble pare down to their soulful essence

The Cinematic Orchestra's third studio album is a long way from the cut-up jazz of their origins. Moving beyond noir mood pieces, Ma Fleur delves into stark, heartbreakingly beautiful folk and soul. Fontella Bass' haunting vocals give "Familiar Ground" and "Breathe" a timeless quality, and Lamb's Lou Rhodes evokes Nick Drake at his most vulnerable on the spare, acoustic "Music Box"; another Rhodes-led song, "Time and Space", comes on like winter dusk—chilly but also comforting.