DRONES

Released in 2021, Drones serves as Terrace Martin's ambitious magnum opus, synthesizing his decades of experience as a producer for Kendrick Lamar and Snoop Dogg with his identity as a premier jazz saxophonist. The album is a conceptual exploration of our modern obsession with technology and the resulting disconnection from humanity, framed through the lens of Black American Music. Sonically, it is a masterclass in the 'LA sound,' featuring contributions from a 'who's who' of contemporary talent including Kamasi Washington, Robert Glasper, and Cordae. Critics, particularly at AllMusic, noted the album's ability to feel both expansive and intimate, praising Martin's curation and his ability to make a star-studded guest list feel like a cohesive ensemble. It stands as a pivotal record in the nu-jazz movement, bridging the gap between the avant-garde and the accessible with sophisticated arrangements and deep, G-funk influenced grooves.