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Terrace Martin|DRONES

DRONES

Terrace Martin

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Drones, Terrace Martin's first album-in-name since Velvet Portraits, started germinating in 2016. Contrary to the perception that info might cause, Martin wasn't merely toiling away for half a decade on this loosely conceptual set. He steered the Sounds of Crenshaw, Vol. 1 and Dinner Party projects, participated in R+R=Now, and in 2020 alone released a live LP, a crop of fine EPs, and singles such as the unflinching Black rebel anthem "Pig Feet." Add to that a seemingly full slate as a producer, sideman, and touring musician aiding artists ranging from 2 Chainz to Herbie Hancock. If Drones should be heard as the follow-up to Velvet Portraits, not as part of Martin's unceasing tear, so be it. Where the earlier album combined old-school R&B and traditional gospel, soul-jazz, and a little synth funk for over 70 mostly kicked-back minutes -- with Martin often emphasizing his piquant alto sax -- the comparatively succinct Drones is funkier, freakier, and ultimately more hip-hop.
Drones as a concept relates to the numbing and instant gratification-seeking effect of phones -- how the devices can drain emotion out of everything from a conversation to sex -- but isn't articulated in didactic or condescending fashion. Kendrick Lamar gets the point across with his bulletin on the bumping title song, which also incorporates Martin, Snoop Dogg, Ty Dolla $ign, and James Fauntleroy as if it's the work of a longtime vocal quartet. A section of more R&B-oriented material starts with Martin taking the lead on "Leave Us Be," a mellow L.A. travelogue and rebuke of oppressive authority built over a bassline that pops like that of Boz Scaggs' "Lowdown." Inside that sequence, Martin also extends a smooth downcast ballad like a tender revision of his own "Lies," gives way to a low-spirited Arin Ray, and cooks up a deceptively tricky and anachronistic groove -- broken beat from 1985 -- for a detached Channel Tres and dispirited Celeste to warn about surveillance. Another sequence later could occur only on a Terrace Martin album. It includes the regal instrumental "Griots of the Crenshaw District" (the album's equivalent to Dinner Party's "First Responders"), built on scuffed drums and righteous interlocking brass featuring Kamasi Washington. After a pair of other highlights that switch with ease from heartache to resilience, Martin uplifts the congregation with a motivational message through his vocoder, setting up Kim Burrell to provide thoughtful spiritual solace on the finale. By the end, it's clear why Martin saw this as a special statement that required a little extra time to bake.

© Andy Kellman /TiVo

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DRONES

Terrace Martin

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1
Turning Poison Into Medicine
00:01:46

Robert Glasper, Piano - Mike Bozzi, Engineer - Terrace Martin, Composer, Producer, Engineer, Saxophone, Synthesizer, MainArtist - Jahaan Sweet, Composer, Producer - Bryan Dimaio, Engineer - Marlon M. Williams, Composer, Guitar

© 2021 Sounds of Crenshaw, LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2021 Sounds of Crenshaw, LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC

2
Drones (feat. Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Ty Dolla $ign & James Fauntleroy) Explicit
00:04:25

Calvin Broadus, Composer - James Fauntleroy, Composer, FeaturedArtist - Greg Kurstin, Moog - Snoop Dogg, FeaturedArtist - Robert Glasper, Composer - Mike Bozzi, Engineer - Terrace Martin, Composer, Producer, Engineer, Programmer, Moog, MainArtist - Kendrick Lamar, FeaturedArtist - Trevor Lawrence Jr., Composer, Live Drums - Kendrick Duckworth, Composer - Ty Dolla $ign, FeaturedArtist - Tyrone Griffin Jr., Composer - Matt Schaeffer, Engineer - Wyann Vaughn, Additional Vocals - Derek 'MixedByAli' Ali, Engineer - Phoelix, Additional Vocals - Bryan Dimaio, Engineer - Andrew Boyd, Engineer - Frank Vasquez, Engineer - Rick Carson, Engineer - Marlon M. Williams, Composer, Guitar - Johnny Kosich, Engineer - Christina Barksdale, Additional Vocals - Rafael 'Fai' Bautista, Engineer - Robert Joseph Searight, Composer

© 2021 Sounds of Crenshaw, LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2021 Sounds of Crenshaw, LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC

3
Leave Us Be Explicit
00:02:44

Dennis Hamm, Composer, Fender Rhodes Piano - Jaycen Joshua, Engineer - Mike Bozzi, Engineer - Terrace Martin, Composer, Producer, Percussion, Piano, Saxophone, Moog, MainArtist - Josef Leimberg, Percussion, Trumpet - Trevor Lawrence Jr., Composer, Producer, Drums - Jeff Gitelman, Composer - Wyann Vaughn, Additional Vocals - Jeff Gitty, Producer, Guitar, Bass - Bryan Dimaio, Engineer - Marlon M. Williams, Guitar - Jason L. Martin, Composer - Adam Turchin, Baritone Saxophone - Edwin Gonzalez, AssistantEngineer

© 2021 Sounds of Crenshaw, LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2021 Sounds of Crenshaw, LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC

4
Work It Out (feat. Cordae) Explicit
00:03:07

Jean-Marie Horvat, Engineer - Mike Bozzi, Engineer - Terrace Martin, Composer, Producer, Keyboards, Synthesizer, Moog, MainArtist - Kid Culture, Producer, Drum Programmer - Daniel Hackett, Composer - Cordae, FeaturedArtist - Bryan Dimaio, Engineer - Marlon M. Williams, Composer, Guitar - Cordae Dunston, Composer - Jason L. Martin, Composer - Justus West, Additional Vocals - Edwin Gonzalez, AssistantEngineer

© 2021 Sounds of Crenshaw, LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2021 Sounds of Crenshaw, LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC

5
This Morning (feat. Arin Ray & Smino) Explicit
00:03:43

SALAAM REMI, Beatbox Vocals - Mike Bozzi, Engineer - Kenneth Crouch, Composer, Producer, Fender Rhodes Piano - Terrace Martin, Composer, Producer, Engineer, Synthesizer, MainArtist - Arin Ray, Composer, Producer, Engineer, FeaturedArtist - Smino, FeaturedArtist - Christopher Smith Jr., Composer - Bryan Dimaio, Engineer - Rose Gold, Additional Vocals - Rick Carson, Engineer - Marlon M. Williams, Composer, Guitar - Kiefer Shackelford, Composer, Additional Keyboards

© 2021 Sounds of Crenshaw, LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2021 Sounds of Crenshaw, LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC

6
Tapped (feat. Channel Tres & Celeste) Explicit
00:03:08

Celeste, FeaturedArtist - Robert Glasper, Composer, Producer, Vocals - Mike Bozzi, Engineer - Terrace Martin, Composer, Producer, Engineer, Soprano Saxophone, Moog, MainArtist - Trevor Lawrence Jr., Additional Programming - Shaan Singh, Engineer - Celeste Waite, Composer - Bryan Dimaio, Engineer - Ben Cole, AssistantEngineer - Sheldon Young, Composer - Channel Tres, Producer, FeaturedArtist - Maurice Powell, Composer - Piéce Eatah, Engineer - Christopher Pegran, AssistantEngineer

© 2021 Sounds of Crenshaw, LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2021 Sounds of Crenshaw, LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC

7
Reflection (feat. James Fauntleroy) Explicit
00:02:50

James Fauntleroy, Composer, Engineer, FeaturedArtist - Imogen Heap, Composer - Robert Glasper, Composer, Producer - Mike Bozzi, Engineer - Terrace Martin, Composer, Producer, Engineer, Synthesizer, MainArtist - Jacob Collier, Background Vocals - Bryan Dimaio, Engineer - Marlon M. Williams, Guitar - Piéce Eatah, Engineer

© 2021 Sounds of Crenshaw, LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2021 Sounds of Crenshaw, LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC

8
Leimert Park
00:02:16

Mike Bozzi, Engineer - Terrace Martin, Composer, Producer, Engineer, MainArtist - Kid Culture, Producer, Mellotron - Daniel Hackett, Composer - Jason L. Martin, Composer - Piéce Eatah, Engineer - Oyira Akwa, Additional Vocals - Terrin 'T Lee' Mosley, Additional Vocals

© 2021 Sounds of Crenshaw, LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2021 Sounds of Crenshaw, LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC

9
Griots of the Crenshaw District (feat. Hit-Boy, Kamasi Washington & Robert Glasper)
00:03:23

Robert Glasper, Composer, Fender Rhodes Piano, FeaturedArtist - Mike Bozzi, Engineer - Terrace Martin, Composer, Producer, Engineer, Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, MainArtist - Hit-Boy, Producer, FeaturedArtist - Kamasi Washington, Composer, Tenor Saxophone, FeaturedArtist - Bryan Dimaio, MixingEngineer - Marlon M. Williams, Guitar - Chauncey Alexander Hollis Jr, Composer - Piéce Eatah, Engineer - Christopher Pegran, AssistantEngineer

© 2021 Sounds of Crenshaw, LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2021 Sounds of Crenshaw, LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC

10
Evil Eyes (feat. YG & Malaya) Explicit
00:03:50

Mike Bozzi, Engineer - Terrace Martin, Composer, Producer, Engineer, Moog, MainArtist - YG, FeaturedArtist - Keyon Harrold, Composer, Trumpet - Keenon Jackson, Composer - ALLEN RITTER, Composer, Producer - Shaan Singh, Engineer - Malaya, FeaturedArtist - Bryan Dimaio, Engineer - Ben Cole, AssistantEngineer - Patrick Plummer, Engineer - Piéce Eatah, Engineer - Malaya-Tina Bandico Watson, Composer - Christopher Pegran, AssistantEngineer

© 2021 Sounds of Crenshaw, LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2021 Sounds of Crenshaw, LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC

11
Sick of Cryin' (feat. Leon Bridges & D Smoke)
00:03:21

Mike Bozzi, Engineer - Terrace Martin, Composer, Producer, Engineer, Alto Saxophone, MainArtist - Daniel Farris, Composer, Engineer - Eric Frederic, Composer - Trevor Lawrence Jr., Drums, Percussion - Ricky Reed, Producer, Engineer, Drum Programmer - Leon Bridges, FeaturedArtist - Todd Bridges, Composer - Nate Mercereau, Composer, Producer, Guitar - Bryan Dimaio, Engineer - D Smoke, FeaturedArtist - Marlon M. Williams, Guitar

© 2021 Sounds of Crenshaw, LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2021 Sounds of Crenshaw, LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC

12
Don't Let Go
00:01:47

Mike Bozzi, Engineer - Terrace Martin, Producer, Engineer, Keyboards, Synthesizer, Moog, MainArtist - Paul Morton, Jr., Composer - Byron Chambers, Engineer - Piéce Eatah, Engineer - Christopher Pegran, AssistantEngineer

© 2021 Sounds of Crenshaw, LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2021 Sounds of Crenshaw, LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC

13
Listen (feat. Kim Burrell, James Fauntleroy & Robert Glasper)
00:04:22

James Fauntleroy, Composer, Producer, FeaturedArtist - Kim Burrell, Composer, FeaturedArtist - Jean-Marie Horvat, Engineer - Robert Glasper, Composer, Piano, FeaturedArtist - Mike Bozzi, Engineer - Terrace Martin, Composer, Producer, Synthesizer, Moog, MainArtist - Trevor Lawrence Jr., Percussion - Darhyl Camper Jr., Composer - Darhyl "DJ" Camper, Jr., Producer, Keyboards, Drum Programmer - Marlon M. Williams, Composer, Guitar - Piéce Eatah, Engineer

© 2021 Sounds of Crenshaw, LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC ℗ 2021 Sounds of Crenshaw, LLC under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC

Album review

Drones, Terrace Martin's first album-in-name since Velvet Portraits, started germinating in 2016. Contrary to the perception that info might cause, Martin wasn't merely toiling away for half a decade on this loosely conceptual set. He steered the Sounds of Crenshaw, Vol. 1 and Dinner Party projects, participated in R+R=Now, and in 2020 alone released a live LP, a crop of fine EPs, and singles such as the unflinching Black rebel anthem "Pig Feet." Add to that a seemingly full slate as a producer, sideman, and touring musician aiding artists ranging from 2 Chainz to Herbie Hancock. If Drones should be heard as the follow-up to Velvet Portraits, not as part of Martin's unceasing tear, so be it. Where the earlier album combined old-school R&B and traditional gospel, soul-jazz, and a little synth funk for over 70 mostly kicked-back minutes -- with Martin often emphasizing his piquant alto sax -- the comparatively succinct Drones is funkier, freakier, and ultimately more hip-hop.
Drones as a concept relates to the numbing and instant gratification-seeking effect of phones -- how the devices can drain emotion out of everything from a conversation to sex -- but isn't articulated in didactic or condescending fashion. Kendrick Lamar gets the point across with his bulletin on the bumping title song, which also incorporates Martin, Snoop Dogg, Ty Dolla $ign, and James Fauntleroy as if it's the work of a longtime vocal quartet. A section of more R&B-oriented material starts with Martin taking the lead on "Leave Us Be," a mellow L.A. travelogue and rebuke of oppressive authority built over a bassline that pops like that of Boz Scaggs' "Lowdown." Inside that sequence, Martin also extends a smooth downcast ballad like a tender revision of his own "Lies," gives way to a low-spirited Arin Ray, and cooks up a deceptively tricky and anachronistic groove -- broken beat from 1985 -- for a detached Channel Tres and dispirited Celeste to warn about surveillance. Another sequence later could occur only on a Terrace Martin album. It includes the regal instrumental "Griots of the Crenshaw District" (the album's equivalent to Dinner Party's "First Responders"), built on scuffed drums and righteous interlocking brass featuring Kamasi Washington. After a pair of other highlights that switch with ease from heartache to resilience, Martin uplifts the congregation with a motivational message through his vocoder, setting up Kim Burrell to provide thoughtful spiritual solace on the finale. By the end, it's clear why Martin saw this as a special statement that required a little extra time to bake.

© Andy Kellman /TiVo

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