Village Days

Released in late 2020, Village Days serves as a poignant snapshot of Terrace Martin's artistic and emotional state during a period of significant cultural and personal reflection. While Martin is often celebrated for his high-profile collaborations with Kendrick Lamar and Herbie Hancock, this seven-track project is a more intimate, self-contained exploration of his 'Village' - the community and influences that shaped him. The album is notable for its tribute to the late Nipsey Hussle on 'The Voice of King Nipsey,' which utilizes spoken word to ground the jazz fusion in the reality of South Central Los Angeles. Sonically, the record leans heavily into the West Coast 'cool' aesthetic, featuring Martin's signature alto saxophone tone - saturated with reverb and analog warmth. It bridges the gap between the spiritual jazz of the 1970s and modern lo-fi hip-hop sensibilities, resulting in a work that is both a sophisticated jazz statement and a accessible piece of contemporary R&B. The inclusion of 'The Christmas Song' at the end provides a surprising but fitting sense of communal warmth, rounding out an album that functions as a love letter to the people and places that define Martin's world.