ABSTRACT ORCHESTRA 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: Helmed by The Haggis Horns saxophonist Rob Mitchell, the Abstract Orchestra is a "hip-hop big band" from Leeds that specializes in jazz-fired cover versions of classic head-nodding beats. Having first impressed with a set of J Dilla interpretations in 2017, last year they turned their attention to Madlib and MF Doom's collaborative Madvillain project. As the title suggests "Madvillain 2" picks up where its predecessor left off, offering up sumptuously orchestrated, funk-fuelled and jazz-wise takes on such familiar cuts as "Meat Grinder", "Rainbows", 'Fire In The Hole" and "Operation Lifesaver". There's a tasty bonus cut, too, in the shape of the Abstract Orchestra's remix of their collab with Dabrye and MF Doom (yes, that MF Doom), "Air".

Review: Helmed by The Haggis Horns saxophonist Rob Mitchell, the Abstract Orchestra is a "hip-hop big band" from Leeds that specializes in jazz-fired cover versions of classic head-nodding beats. Having first impressed with a set of J Dilla interpretations in 2017, last year they turned their attention to Madlib and MF Doom's collaborative Madvillain project. As the title suggests "Madvillain 2" picks up where its predecessor left off, offering up sumptuously orchestrated, funk-fuelled and jazz-wise takes on such familiar cuts as "Meat Grinder", "Rainbows", 'Fire In The Hole" and "Operation Lifesaver". There's a tasty bonus cut, too, in the shape of the Abstract Orchestra's remix of their collab with Dabrye and MF Doom (yes, that MF Doom), "Air".

Review: Leeds' Abstract Orchestra came through in 2017 with their debut album, Dilla, and it was clear form the start that the ATA imprint knew what they were doing. Led by Rob Mitchell (the saxophonist of The Haggis Horns), the hip-hop ensemble are poised to strike a chord among the house heads and the jazz-dance fanatics, tapping into the core of sample-based music and percussive rhythm. This LP, as the name implies, is a live, orchestral rendition of J Dilla's best and most coveted work; the tracks chosen come from a variety of the legend's recordings, such as Welcome 2 Detroit, Donuts, and the multitude of successive releases that have been released since his untimely passing, back in 2006. For an artist who dedicated so much of his life and passion to live music and organic percussion, this is the perfect ode and a touching way to get closer to the ideas that made these tunes so special in the first place. A collector's delight.

Review: Rob Mitchell is a composer, leader and arranger with the Abstract Orchestra but now he adds remixing to his long list of skills. He does so by looking to MADVILLAIN for a new project that was conceived during the pandemic when he had more time to spend in the studio cooking up ideas, big beat sounds and plenty of dance effort allure there working as Ghostlife - a subtle hint at the one and only MF DOOM. The tracks he picked come with higher BPMs and include the likes of 'Fancy Clown', 'Curls' and 'Figaro' which will all appeal to different crowds.