With an already amazing core band of Terrace Martin on sax, Curly Martin on drums, Brandon Eugene Owens on bass, and Robert ‘Sput’ Searight on Keys, Velvet Portraits also features appearances from Kamasi Washington, Robert Glasper, Lalah Hathaway, Thundercat and many more. Recorded in Omaha Nebraska and Los Angeles, Velvet Portraits portrays the evolution of Martin as a player, producer, and a musician with a deep sense of history. This is a superb new jazz album, covering many styles. ‘Valdez off Crenshaw’ is a good sax led version of Donny Hathaway’s classic (Valdez in the Country). ‘Push’ a nice funky jazz track featuring Tone Trezure and the Perry Singers on vocals. ‘Patiently Waiting’ is a gospel drenched down tempo song feat Uncle Chucc and The Emotions on vocals. ’Oakland’ is a lovely laid back jazzy track ft Lalah Hathaway’s vocals. ‘Mortal Man’ is an amazing finale with string arrangements by Kamasi Washington. ‘Turkey Taco’ has a P-Funk influence, and Martin’s work with Kendrick Lamar is evident on some of the more hip hop influenced jazz cuts. Overall this is a really strong album.
Track listings:
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01 Velvet Portraits by Terrace Martin
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02 Valdez off Crenshaw by Terrace Martin
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03 Push (feat.Tone Trezure) by Terrace Martin
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04 With You by Terrace Martin
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05 Curly Martin (feat.Robert Glasper,Thundercat & Ronald Bruner Jr) by Terrace Martin
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06 Never Enough (feat.Tiffany Gouche) by Terrace Martin
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07 Turkey Taco (feat.The Emotions & Wayne Vaughn) by Terrace Martin
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08 Patiently Waiting (feat.Uncle Chucc & The Emotions) by Terrace Martin
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09 Tribe Called West (feat.Keyon Harrold) by Terrace Martin
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10 Oakland (feat.Lalah Hathaway) by Terrace Martin
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11 Bromali (feat.Marlon Williams) by Terrace Martin
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12 Think of you (feat.Kamasi Washington & Rose Gold) by Terrace Martin
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13 Reverse (feat.Robert Glasper & Candy West) by Terrace Martin
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14 Mortal Man by Terrace Martin
evilspliffer (verified owner) –
cool, sophisticated, conscious -jazz and soul, I loved it.
Alejandro Campos Fischer (verified owner) –
Very creative and amazing. Perfect fusion between soul and jazz. I recommend it.
Richard Franklin (verified owner) –
A great album. I’ve been a fan of his for a while.
I love his blend of jazz soul and hip hop.
This album is highly recommended.