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.

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, AllMusic.com,

4.5/5 stars (The AllMusic 2021 Year In Review - Best Of 2021)

DRONES was recorded at Organic Grease Studios, Larrabee Recording Studios, Henson Recording Studios, and Chalice Recording Studios. The album was mixed at Organic Grease Studios and mastered by Mike Bozzi at Bernie Grundman Mastering.