Mauser

The Abstract Orchestra - Madvillain Vol. 2 Released on the 24th of May on Leeds Jazz & Soul label ATA Records , “Madvillain Vol. 2” is the second part of the eagerly anticipated new LP from Abstract Orchestra . “Madvillain vol 2” takes the blueprint laid out on their debut LP “Dilla” and applies it to the work of producer Madlib and M.C. Doom’s Madvillain project. Radio support anticipated from BBC6’s Gilles Peterson who has been an advocate for Abstract Orchestra on both his BBC6 and Worldwide FM shows, as well as Huey Morgan (BBC 6), Shawn Lee (Soho) and Dom Servini (Wah Wah 45s). Led by Saxophonist Rob Mitchell, Abstract Orchestra have been a consistent presence on the u.k. 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 it’s entirety at ATA’s 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. Mashup 1 is a re-working of Abstract’s own MADVILLAIN arrangements, including samples taken from Madmix 1 and Bistro. Composer/Arranger Rob Mitchell uses His sampler to create Lofi glitch beats with reverse samples. Meat Grinder creates a great deal of suspense with the flutes, muted trombones and heavy riffs from the bass, baritone sax and Fender Rhodes. Heavily influenced by Lalo Schifrin it has an thread of spy tv themes running through it. Figaro head nods all the way through! A dark and broody interpretation of the bass line from Chris ‘Fatty’ Hargreaves, wonky and unpredictable, juxtaposed with the snare of Joost Henrickx ,like the crack of a gunshot, adds weight to the heaviness of this Jerry Goldsmith/Dave Grusin inspired arrangement. A beautiful vocal performance from Anna Uhuru on Eye makes for a warm slow funk arrangement, with with support from the bass and trombones. Simon ‘Bobby’ Beddoe delivers a super slick Flugelhorn solo before the ensemble returns with a tutti section with flutes to top it off. Cant Reform em is once again influenced by spy TV themes with heavy military beats similar to ‘The Man From U.N.C.L.E’ or ‘Mission Impossible’ original TV soundtracks. Again an influence of Madmix 3 is the work of Lalo Schifrin, Dave Grusin and Jerry Goldsmith, and similarities to the ‘Our Man Flint’ soundtrack in atmosphere through the orchestration conceived by Mitchell. George Cooper takes us through not one but two piano solos that are truly epic and continually add tension and drama. A real high point in the album. Similar to Mashup 1, Mashup 2 is clearly inspired by Madlib’s production. A re-work of Abstract’s own MADVILLAIN arrangements, it includes samples taken from Operation Lifesaver, borrowed time and Madmix 3. Rhinestone Cowboy launches into a heavy weight groove from the bass and drums, with flutes acting like fife’s readying for battle. Vocal loops and punctuation from the brass add to the militant march of the band. Fire in the hole starts in a dream-like state, with floating vocals and tremolo Fender Rhodes, shifting to a more direct groove in the 2 nd half. Rainbows uses unison lines doubled in the vocals and throughout the ensemble, not too dissimilar to the approach and sound of Charles Mingus. Distinclty jazz influenced, the track reaches soaring heights with Tenor Sax solos by James Russell. Operation Lifesaver has similarities to the late work of Bob Brookmeyer, who explored the combination of synths and jazz orchestration. Pianist George Cooper takes the synth solo with a nod to Daft Punk and The Chemical Brothers and a wink to George Duke, which the original track samples. To round off the album, Abstract reworks Dabrye’s ‘ Air ’ and have included the original vocal of MF DOOM. Dabye’s original is heavily soaked in synths and drum machines, similar to Vangelis’s soundtrack work on Bladerunner. Mitchell explores this further and is influenced by Bob Brookmeyer’s later work ‘Electricity’, which explores synths and jazz orchestration. Madvillain Vol. 2 was recorded live in it’s entirety at ATA’s 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. credits released May 24, 2019