Leeds-based Jazz/Hip-Hop Big Band Abstract Orchestra Returns with Villainous MADVILLAIN VOL. 2 Re-works Collection (ATA Records)

Abstract Orchestra (AO) are a Leeds, UK-based Jazz/Big Band that, much like El Michels Affair & Brownout/Brown Sabbath, often plays Jazz renditions of popular Hip-Hop compositions. Their current line-up plays out a little something like this - Conductor/Music Director: Rob Mitchell, Saxes: Rob Mitchell, Jim Corry, James Russell, Dan Brunskill & Simon Kaylor, Trumpets: Malcolm Strachan, Jack Davis & Simon Beddoe, Trombones: Kevin "Kev" Holbrough, Danny Barley, Patrick Martin & Chris Hibard, Bass: Chris "Fatty" Hargreaves, Keys: George Cooper, Drums: Joost Hendrickx, and Vox/Vocals: Anna Uluru & Akin Amusan. AO's past incarnations—seemingly, always led by The Haggis Horns' Rob Mitchell—have performed live sets with the likes of Slum Village, De La Soul, and Yasiin Bey FKA Mos Def; with past releases including 2017's critically-acclaimed DILLA and 2018's "New Day" 7-inch/digital single Featuring Illa J. Now, Abstract Orchestra have, once again, joined forces with Leeds-based ATA Records to present their second collection of MADVILLAIN (Madlib & MF DOOM) reinterpretations, fittingly titled MADVILLAIN VOL. 2.

Much like its similarly-named predecessor, MADVILLAIN VOL. 1, VOL. 2 features a collection of newly re-worked compositions, both recognizable and deep cuts, from 2004's beloved MADVILLAINY, as well as MADVILLAINY 2: The Madlib Remix. Plus, a few "Madmixes" & "Mashups" stylistically strewn throughout the course of this enthralling 13-track journey through the mind of The Metal Face Villain himself, Daniel "DOOM" Dumile. As a bit of an added bonus, MADVILLAIN VOL. 2 features a special 100% Ghostly/Gas Drawls-sanctioned re-work of oft-remixed "Air" from Two/Three generously billed as "Abstract Orchestra, Dabrye, MF DOOM - "Air" Feat. MF DOOM (Abstract Orchestra Remix.) It appears as though ATA Records' Bandcamp page features a quasi-album breakdown, which, I would assume is, penned by Abstract Orchestra themselves. Stay tuned to this space in the coming weeks, as we're soon planning to conduct and publish a comprehensive interview with AO MD/Conductor, Rob Mitchell. For now, though, Abstract Orchestra's MADVILLAIN VOL. 2 is currently available to stream or purchase in a multitude of formats directly from ATA Records.

"Let Me Shine for You:" Lindsay Lohan for Playboy (Winter 2011-12 Leak)

Lindsay Lohan essentially embodies exactly "What NOT to Do In Hollywood :" Fame, fortune, success... sex, drugs & Rock "N" Roll . Within a fairly short period of time, Lohan somehow managed to obtain a plentiful helping of POWER @ a very young age. This gradual rise-downfall was captured on film; Between 1998-2010, she portrayed a wide array of roles across the silver screen in movies including: Mean Girls, Bobby , Herbie Fully Loaded , Georgia Rule, Machete , and Freaky Friday . Between rapid-paced film shoots, Lindsay Lohan also found time to record 2 Pop Rock albums for Casablanca , Speak (2004) and A Litter More Personal-Raw (2005). Needless to say, Lindsay Lohan has gotten roped up in a lot of troubles and woes with the law over the last 3-5 years... a vicious cycle of drugs, arrest, court, rehab, "daddy issues," jail time [Repeat]. That's the pure basics of it - But Google that shit for additional info, if necessary. Towards the end of

[W]reckless, Topless American Youth: Lana del Rey - "Born 2 Die" (Britney Spears Birthday 30)

Lana del Rey [Lizzy Grant] effectively became 2011's "It Girl" with the release of her phenomenal debut single, "Video Games" (Stranger) . Like many struggling singer-songwriters, Grant has been signed, dropped, and significantly changed her public image since bursting onto the scene (2009). With that said, it can be assumed that Lana del Rey has collected just as many "haters" as she has avid supporters. To be perfectly honest, the only other artist I can think of that made this much commotion... garnered so much wide-spread buzz/hate and critical acclaim -- right out of the gates -- with just one track is Britney Spears . And maybe in this post- Mike musical era, that's the true synthesis of Pop Culture: Britney Lynn Spears . After months of repeated teasing and speculation, Lana del Rey 's major label debut, Born 2 Die will [finally] be released this coming Jan. 30-31, 2012. Pitchfork reports that it will feature "Off to The Ra

Liberty Bell Cracked In 1/2: Ween - "Freedom of '76" (Gene Ween's Final Send-Off)

Chocolate & Cheese (1994) was one of the first albums I bought with my own money. I was in some sort of BMG Music Club , where you'd buy 5 CD's and then get 10 for "FREE." It was all sent through mail order and you picked the titles from some special booklet. I'm almost positive that Chocolate & Cheese's side boob-baring album cover was what initially drew me in... mind you, I was 12-15 and the zany Ween logo/middle finger CD graphic really didn't hurt either. Honestly, I forget how I really felt about it @ the time, but a few years later, my older cousin Josh told me that Ween were this BIG college "jam band." CKY did some sort pf 93.3 radio takeover to promote their new album and played "Freedom of '76" late that night on air. Needless to say, I re-visited Chocolate & Cheese @ about 20-something this go 'round and I fucking loved it! Ween were really weird, yet talented... almost too talented. I can vaguel

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