"Music that has the complexity of jazz, framed within the simpler structures of hip-hop." Led by saxophonist Rob Mitchell and inspired by the legendary live performances of The Roots with Jay-Z and the 40-piece orchestral, Abstract Orchestra pays tribute to one of the best to ever do it, J Dilla. The all-star hip-hop big band consists of the finest musicians in the UK, and this is the first of two albums they've recorded—check out Madvillain Vol.1. Classic jazz big-band instrumentation of saxes, trumpets and trombones interpret tracks like "Welcome to Detroit/The Diary," "Workinonit," and "Stop," on which vocalist Anna Uhuru channels Dionne Warwick with an arrangement that's reminiscent of David Axelrod and Don Sebeskey's works (both sources of inspiration for Abstract Orchestra). "Two Can Win" closes the record, with Uhuru once again taking the spotlight, as she adds Minnie Ripperton-style harmonies to the original Sylvers vocal style.

• music label: ATA Records 2017

reviewed by singing in japanese 10/19