Abstract Orchestra
Abstract Orchestra | |
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Also known as | Abstract Orchestra |
Origin | Leeds, England |
Genres | Hip hop, jazz, funk |
Years active | 2011 – present |
Labels | ATA Records |
Members |
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Abstract Orchestra are a British hip hop music group, created in 2011 by Rob Mitchell. The group is signed to independent record label ATA Records. Abstract Orchestra have released five studio albums, Dilla (2017), Madvillain Vol. 1 (2018), Madvillain Vol. 2 (2019), Fantastic 2020 Vol. 1 (2019) and Fantastic 2020 Vol. 2 (2019), and five singles, New Day (2017), Fancy Clown (2018), Air ft MF DOOM (2019), Pray (2020), Jealousy (2020). The "ensemble has become renowned for their distinct sound, which reinterprets some of the most famous hip-hop productions of all time (right on down to the sample material) into a unique blend of big band jazz and live hip-hop".[1]
Band members
Abstract Orchestra is conducted and led by Scottish Saxophonist Rob Mitchell, who also writes and arranges the music, and produces the recordings. In addition to Mitchell
.Band members have worked with
Style
"Led by Rob Mitchell, the Abstract Orchestra are a self-styled big band known for their impressive live performances. They explore the shared territory between jazz and hip hop by taking modern classics such as Madvillain and J Dilla's back catalogue and filtering them through classic arrangement techniques."[2]
Abstract Orchestra blends jazz orchestration with
History
The group was formed in 2011 by Rob Mitchell and Dave Walker, initially for a one-off event at The Wardrobe club in
Abstract Orchestra's debut album 'Dilla' was released in 2017 and covered the music of
For their second and third releases 'Madvillain Vol. 1' (2018) and 'Madvillain Vol. 2' (2019), Abstract Orchestra covered the music of the collaboration between producer
Mitchell recounts: "In the live set I [would] use an MPC to trigger DOOM's lyrics over the band. Last year in the final part of the mix stage I just thought wouldn't it be amazing to have DOOM on the track just like when we do it live! Dabrye released DOOM's acapella to Air and so I thought if I could get permission to use it the track would be perfect!"[3]
After a UK tour in 2018 with Illa J, Abstract Orchestra collaborated with the brother of J Dilla, Illa J releasing the single 'New Day' (2018).
In the summers of 2017 and 2018 Abstract Orchestra performed at a number of UK festivals including Boomtown, Shambala, Secret Garden Party, Latitude, Green Man and Kendal Calling.
After a UK tour with Hip-hop group Slum Village in 2019, Abstract Orchestra were asked by Slum Village to rework their album Fantastic, Vol. 2 the rework was released as 'Fantastic 2020 Vol. 1' (2019) and 'Fantastic 2020 Vol. 2'. "Hip-hop with a live band, especially a big band style such as this, becomes something so much greater, taking on a new form."[4]
In 2020 Abstract Orchestra collaborated with Young RJ (one half of Slum Village) and
Discography
Studio albums
Title | Details |
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Dilla |
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Madvillain Vol. 1 |
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Madvillain Vol. 2 |
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Fantastic 2020 Vol. 1 |
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Fantastic 2020 Vol. 2 |
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Singles
Title | Details |
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Jealousy |
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Pray |
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Air (Abstract Orchestra Remix)(Feat. MF DOOM) |
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Fancy Clown |
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New Day ft. Illa J |
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Collaborations
Title | Details |
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2 Hands Up by Young RJ and Mega Ran |
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References
- ^ "Slum Village & Abstract Orchestra Fantastic 2020". Piccadillyrecords.com. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ "Abstract Orchestra: The Shared Space Between Jazz and Hip Hop". qwest.tv. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ "Bonafide Magazine: Abstract Orchestra channel DOOM and Dabrye with Air". bonafidemag.com. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ "live review Slum Village". mancunion.com. Retrieved 26 January 2021.