MADVILLAIN, VOL. 1 by ABSTRACT ORCHESTRA

2025 repress

Led by Saxophonist Rob Mitchell, Abstract Orchestra have been a consistent presence on the u.k. music scene, touring constantlya consistent presence on the u.k. music scene, touring constantly
in promotion of their debut LP “Dilla” and follow up 45 “New Dayin promotion of their debut LP “Dilla” and follow up 45 “New Day feat. Illa J”, steadily building a loyal and supportive fanbase.feat. Illa J”, steadily building a loyal and supportive fanbase. Inspired by the legendary live performances of The Roots withInspired by the legendary live performances of The Roots with Jay-Z and the 40 piece orchestral arrangements by Miguel-Jay-Z and the 40 piece orchestral arrangements by Miguel- Atwood Ferguson of the work of J Dilla, classic arrangingAtwood Ferguson of the work of J Dilla, classic arranging techniques underpin modern loop-based structures, breathingtechniques underpin modern loop-based structures, breathing new life into familiar material.new life into familiar material.

The band itself is based on the classic jazz big bandThe band itself is based on the classic jazz big band instrumentation of saxes, trumpets and trombones and featuresinstrumentation of saxes, trumpets and trombones and features the cream of the north of England’s jazz scene who collectivelythe cream of the north of England’s jazz scene who collectively have played with Jamiroquai, Corinne Bailey Rae, Mark Ronson,have played with Jamiroquai, Corinne Bailey Rae, Mark Ronson, Martha Reeves, John Legend & the Roots, Roots Manuva and AmyMartha Reeves, John Legend & the Roots, Roots Manuva and Amy Winehouse.Winehouse.

“Madvillain Vol. 1” takes the template of their debut LP “Dilla”“Madvillain Vol. 1” takes the template of their debut LP “Dilla” and applies the same approach to the collaboration of MF Doomand applies the same approach to the collaboration of MF Doom and Madlib, aka Madvillain and their albums Madvillainy andand Madlib, aka Madvillain and their albums Madvillainy and Madvillain 2. Sampling the likes of Sun Ra, Bill Evans, FreddieMADVILLAIN 2. Sampling the likes of Sun Ra, Bill Evans, Freddie Hubbard, George Duke, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Quincy Jones andHubbard, George Duke, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Quincy Jones and Stevie Wonder gave the albums a jazz oriented feel and ethosStevie Wonder gave the albums a jazz oriented feel and ethos which in turn lend themselves perfectly to the deconstructionwhich in turn lend themselves perfectly to the deconstruction and re-imagining of Abstract Orchestra. As with their debut, alland re-imagining of Abstract Orchestra. As with their debut, all the tracks were recorded live in the studio with very fewthe tracks were recorded live in the studio with very few overdubs.overdubs.

Abstract Orchestra’s Madvillain Vol 1. explores the jazz, TVAbstract Orchestra’s Madvillain Vol 1. explores the jazz, TV
soundtrack and film score aspect of the original work, combiningsoundtrack and film score aspect of the original work, combining it with classic big band writing and a focus on improvisation.it with classic big band writing and a focus on improvisation. There is a strong influence of Quincy Jones, Lalo Schifrin andThere is a strong influence of Quincy Jones, Lalo Schifrin and David Shire (Composer of the soundtrack to The Taking ofDavid Shire (Composer of the soundtrack to The Taking of Pelham 123) on the album, and the arranger Rob Mitchell craftsPelham 123) on the album, and the arranger Rob Mitchell crafts his own sound that inhabits the space between Madlib’shis own sound that inhabits the space between Madlib’s production and Quincy Jones’ writing. Bandleader and arrangerproduction and Quincy Jones’ writing. Bandleader and arranger Rob Mitchell says of the record: “‘Madvillain’ is a jazz albumRob Mitchell says of the record: “‘Madvillain’ is a jazz album as much as it is a hip-hop album and I wanted to explore thisas much as it is a hip-hop album and I wanted to explore this reciprocal territory there has always been between jazz and hip-reciprocal territory there has always been between jazz and hip- hop. 70’s cop show soundtracks have always captured myhop. 70’s cop show soundtracks have always captured my interest and imagination, and I discovered so much amazinginterest and imagination, and I discovered so much amazing music through TV themes, Quincy Jones and Lalo Schifrin inmusic through TV themes, Quincy Jones and Lalo Schifrin in particular. They explored sounds that were menacing, angular,particular. They explored sounds that were menacing, angular, dissonant, frantic and yet captivating. They were also able todissonant, frantic and yet captivating. They were also able to write music that was the flip side of all that dark chaos, and writewrite music that was the flip side of all that dark chaos, and write lush and beautiful music. Arranging and scoring up Madvillain lush and beautiful music. Arranging and scoring up Madvillain Vol 1. Has allowed me to explore these sounds that I’ve alwaysVol 1. Has allowed me to explore these sounds that I’ve always loved, yet keeping a strong hip-hop identity as the core of itsloved, yet keeping a strong hip-hop identity as the core of its sound.”