The Witzard

"Led by saxophonist Rob Mitchell, Abstract Orchestra have been a consistent presence on the UK music scene, touring constantly in promotion of their debut LP, Dilla, and follow-up 45, "New Day" Feat. Illa J, steadily building a loyal and supportive fanbase. Inspired by the legendary live performances of The Roots with JAY-Z and the 40-piece orchestral arrangements by Miguel-Atwood Ferguson of the work of J Dilla, classic arranging techniques underpin modern loop-based structures, breathing new life into familiar material... The band itself is based on the classic Jazz/Big Band instrumentation of saxes, trumpets, and trombones and features the cream of the North of England's Jazz scene, who, collectively, have played with Jamiroquai, Corinne Bailey Rae, Mark Ronson, Martha Reeves, John Legend & The Roots, Roots Manuva, and Amy Winehouse. MADVILLAIN VOL. 2 was recorded live in its entirety at ATA Records' own vintage analogue studio in Leeds. All tracks were...

Madvillain Vol. 2 by Abstract Orchestra 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...