Timeless in a Box

Last year I had the utmost displeasure to miss Los Angeles’ art-documentary collective, Mochilla, showcase the Timeless series. They put on three unlikely performances set to draw on and blur the conventional distinction between the traditional arranger and new school beat conductor. Among showcasing the work of Brazilian tropicália innovator, Arthur Verocai, and the power player of Ethiopian pscyh-jazz, Mulatu Astatke, was one idea that stood out as even a bit more eccentric, the “Suite For Ma Dukes”. With a twist, the Suite paid tribute to the life of one of the greatest brilliant hiphop producers of our time, the late J Dilla (born James Yancey). Adventurous composer Miguel Atwood-Ferguson looked to Dilla’s catalogue for inspiration and reimagined some choice cuts with the help of a 60-piece orchestra.

Luckily for me and my fellow peoples who missed Timeless, we might still get our chance to have a glimpse of these performances. Mochilla plans to release a special edition box set documenting all three shows, so we can experience just a bit of timeless in a box. To wet our chops, they just posted this trailer of “Take Notice” from the Suite–mixed and engineered by none other than Bob Powers. Compare the videos after the jump of Miguel’s lush orchestral dramatics, especially that vibrant string section, in contrast to Dilla’s gritty bounce lifting Guilty Simpson’s flow to the highest of swag.

FULL SCREEN
The Sounds of VTech / Suite For Ma Dukes: Take Notice