Abstract Orchestra Bandleader Rob Mitchell Talks MADVILLAIN VOL. 1-2, Slum Village, The Haggis Horns & MPC's (The Witzard Interview)

"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 recorded in one take with little to no overdubs and no editing, quantizing, or other such studio trickery. The band were recorded live in the room to 2-inch tape and the recording captures a group of creative and dedicated musicians that have honed their sound through years of touring."

- Pete Williams & Neil Innes (ATA Records)

I. Who are the current members in Abstract Orchestra and what is each members' role in the band?

Rob Mitchell (myself) - Bandleader,
Conductor, Writer, Producer, Etc. Etc.
Micall Parknsun - Emcee
Joker Starr - Emcee
Anna Uhuru - Vocalist
Jim Corry - Alto/Baritone Sax
Dan Brunskill - Alto Sax/Flute
James Russell - Tenor Sax/Flute
Simon Kaylor - Tenor Sax/Flute
Jack Davis - Trumpet/Flugel
Malcolm Strachan - Trumpet/Flugel
Simon Beddoe - Trumpet/Flugel
Kevin "Kev" Holbrough - Trombone
Patrick Martin - Trombone
Richard Jones - Bass Trombone
George Cooper - Keyboards
Chris "Fatty" Hargreaves - Bass
Joost Hendrikx - Drums

II. What initially inspired you to fuse together your affinity for both Jazz/Big Band music and Hip-Hop, which we all now know and love as Abstract?

I guess, it stems from learning and studying Jazz, but listening to Hip-Hop. I, actually, discovered some Jazz artists through listening to Hip-Hop, like Lou Donaldson through Cypress Hill. I've always loved playing in Big Bands and some career highlights have been playing in bands like The BBC Big Band. The two [genres] are so intertwined for me that it seemed like a logical thing to fuse the two together and I love exploring the possibilities.


III. What is the current working relationship between your two bands, Abstract Orchestra and The Haggis Horns?

I play Alto & Baritone Sax in The Haggis Horns and Malcolm [Strachan] & Atholl [Ransome] play in Abstract. It's, generally, pretty good, in terms of not performing on the same dates, so for the most part, [it] works out great!

IV. How do you, initially, decide which songs to include within a collection such as MADVILLAIN VOL. 2? What's the typical process like to retrofit a Hip-Hop song for an Abstract Orchestra-l arrangement?

MADVILLAIN VOL. 2 was recorded at the same time as MADVILLAIN VOL. 1 over a 2-day period live in the studio. Although, recorded at the same time, the two volumes sound quite different; with VOL. 1, the intention was to explore the Jazz & Funk side of MADVILLAIN, slowly becoming darker as the album progresses. VOL. 2 is a shift from this, to explore the darker side of of the music. "Eye" & "Borrowed Time" really influenced the sound, which have more synth and electronic aspects to it. I love writing for brass and making them sound like synths or to blend them with synths—something Bob Brookmeyer explored in his later career, which is a great influence on me. In terms of the process, I just sit at the piano and work out a couple things, then, score it up for the band. The band's interpretation is the exciting bit, when it all comes alive!


V. After already having released critically-acclaimed albums featuring re-works of J Dilla, DOOM & Madlib, who's next?

Haha! That would be telling! We have a couple of things up our sleeves for sure. We will definitely continue doing re-works, but I'm, also, looking at original material and collaborations with other artists. I still love beat-making and want to explore that aspect of composition further, too.

VI. What type of feedback have you received from either the original artists or their camps?

Illa J gave us such huge support with the release of Dilla and gave further blessing by collaborating on our single, "New Day." With the MADVILLAIN releases, it's, of course, almost impossible to have contact with Madlib or DOOM, unless you're in their circles. I guess, the best feedback was DOOM's team allowing us to us his vocal sample of "Air" that we covered; I'd like to think it reached DOOM and he was into it?! Also, Dabrye has been massively supportive and all the folks at Ghostly for again allowing us to cover "Air."


VII. Do you have any immediate plans to bring in any of the original emcees/artists to do remixes or live version of their own compositions backed by Abstract Orchestra, of course?

Definitely, we tested the waters a little bit with Slum Village on their last tour in February, performing a short set with them. The impact and response was massive and this could be an interesting path for us. I think the audience really connects with the music, when it's performed live and the experience is amazing.

VIII. What exactly are the so-called "Madmixes" and "Mash Ups" stylistically strewn throughout MADVILLAIN VOL. 1-2?

The "Madmixes" are, basically, medleys, so a collection of tracks that work better in short sections, rather than entire tunes. The "Mash Ups" are me messing around on my MPC sampler, chopping up our own covers, a little nod to Madlib in the humblest of ways!


IX. What, would you say, is generally, the trickiest part of translating a Hip-Hop track into an orchestral/Big Band arrangement?

There can be a variety of tricky points: sometimes, the original track will have a massive hook and banging groove, but, essentially, very little else going on, so I have to get creative to keep it interesting and varied for the band and audience. Sometimes, I'll write a melody part, re-harmonise chords, add drops, etc. just to keep the track moving.

X. How do think your work with The Haggis Horns has helped prepare you for Abstract Orchestra?

Like anything, the more experience you have, the better prepared you are; we've had some nice gigs with The Haggis Horns and seen plenty! I get to work in lots of different settings and circles and you come to realise "big gigs" and "small gigs" are all the same, you've still got to connect with the audience and make the performance memorable.


XI. Over the years, have any of The Haggis Horns players ever played or recorded with Abstract Orchestra?

Of course! Both Malcolm & Atholl have recorded with Abstract.

XII. What are some of your fondest memories (or even, craziest stories) from your time spent touring with De La Soul, Slum Village & Yasiin Bey FKA Mos Def?

Well, we didn’t tour with De La Soul or Yasiin Bey; we shared the bill with De La and supported Yasiin. Yasiin was a lovely guy, when I met him and I [thought] his performance was pure art at that show. I know he gets mixed reviews (he did that night, too) but I [thought] he was incredible! Touring with Illa J was a great experience. He's such a talent, both as an emcee and a singer and song-writer. His flow on stage was amazing and so engaging to watch. Working with Slum Village has been insightful—those guys work so hard, all the time! Their music is timeless and even their tracks from the early days still sound so fresh, when pumped out through the PA! Dilla's drums make so much sense through a big PA, they're knocking! T3, Young RJ & DJ Wells are amazing people and we connected straight away; I'm looking forward to working with them again!