Earlier in the month we showed you a sneak peak video clip from Timeless: The Composer/Arranger Series, a 3 DVD Box Set concert series created by Mochilla to pay homage to arrangers and composers who have greatly contributed to hip hop music.

The Timeless DVD Box Set, which is currently available for pre-order, contains live performances by Ethiopian jazz musician Mulatu Astake, Brazilian jazz artist Arthur Verocai and a 60 piece orchestra composed and arranged by Miguel Atwood-Ferguson showcasing an assortment of J. Dilla’s music.

I was able to get an exclusive interview with Miguel Atwood-Ferguson on the making of Suite for Ma Dukes, the second installation of Timeless: The Composer/Arranger Series. Check it out here!

Krysten Hughes: How long did it take to prepare for Suite For Ma Dukes?

Miguel Atwood-Ferguson: A month before the performance, I was writing for 16-20 hours a day. The month before that I was writing about 10-15 hours a day. We had only two rehearsals as a group. A lot of people were not even aware of who J. Dilla was.

KH: Really?

MAF: I played [J Dilla’s] CD for people and told everyone about his life. Of the 60 people in the orchestra, a good 10 – 15 people had never even heard his name. A lot of people had heard the tracks that he produced, but didn’t know it was him.

KH: What were some of your favorite moments of Suite For Ma Dukes?

MAF: My favorite moment was giving Dilla’s mom a hug and seeing the smile on her face. She is a radiant person, like the sun. She’s a powerhouse – a very strong, jubilant and benevolent woman. Being able to hang with her brought tears to my eyes. She saw the DVD for the first time last week and she was crying. Mochilla went out to Detroit to give her the DVD. Seeing how intimately proud she was, for me that was the highlight. Same with Illa J, beyond words excited. He’s a beautiful cat also, that was a joy. It was an amazing blessing. Karriem Riggins being there was also a highlight for me, he is an absolutely sweet and humble person, a master. He was a humongous aspect of the success of the concert.

KH: You’re also featured on the Mulatu Astake and Arthur Verocai DVDs. Tell me about your roles in those performances.

MAF: I was a part of the orchestra and a co-producer and co-music director of those as well. I was the main person helping Mochilla put everything together, and again hand selected the orchestra, most were all friends. A couple had been recommended, but most were friends

KH: What new projects are you working on?

MAF: With Mochilla we are trying to do the next Suite For Ma Dukes concert, we’re just waiting on funding. Other than that, I am constantly recording and writing. I’m featured on Flying Lotus new album for Warp Records, also Erykah Badu’s new album and Bilal’s new album. Will.I.Am is starting a series called Do What You Love, he started the whole series with me, a one man orchestra, and I am playing all the parts and conducting it and he’s going to be slicing it for a Blackberry commercial.

Timeless: The Composer/Arranger Series Limited Edition DVD Box Set will be available April 2010 via Mochilla.

TAGS: Arthur Verocai, Bilal, Detroit, Erykah Badu, Flying Lotus, Illa J, J Dilla, Karriem Biggins, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Mochilla, Mulatu Astake, Suite For Ma Dukes, Timeless, will i. am