Serving as both curator and producer, the music is a continuation of legacy of both Martin and jazz music. Curly holds an especially pointed significance, Martin explained, “This is a body of work that represents the spirit of my father. Curly represents courage, heart, and adventure.”
Across the album are references to Martin’s illustrious career. ‘How Much A Dollar Cost’ shares a name with the distinctive track of Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly, where Martin served as a collaborator. In its new context, the track retains its meditative qualities while a more free-flowing narrative.
Much of the music evokes this period of Martin’s craft. The single ‘Valdez Off Crenshaw’, which features contributions from Kamasi Washington, Cory Henry, and Robert Sput Searight, boasts instrumentation that is uniquely imaginative, with the feel of a summer breeze. As curator, Martin enlists a group of familiar collaborators as well as new talent to craft Curly’s sound: Washington, Henry, and Searight make pronounced appearances along with Larry Goldings and Nir Felder. While the songs are extensive in performance, they never overstay their welcome, forming an album that can be lived in for hours on end.
Martin previously released the first offering in his ongoing series of jazz releases, Fine Tune.
Tracklist:
1. 24th & Lake (feat. Cory Henry & Robert 'Sput' Searight)
2. Bromali (feat. Robert 'Sput' Searight, Larry Goldings & Nir Felder)
3. Final Thought (feat. Kamasi Washington, Robert 'Sput' Searight & Larry Goldings)
4. How Much A Dollar Cost (feat. Robert 'Sput' Searight, Larry Goldings & Nir Felder)
5. Sweeter (feat. Cory Henry) [Extended Version]
6. Valdez Off Crenshaw (feat. Kamasi Washington, Cory Henry & Robert 'Sput' Searight)
7. Untitled 5 (feat. Robert 'Sput' Searight, Larry Goldings & Nir Felder)
8. Blue Monday (feat. Robert 'Sput' Searight, Larry Goldings & Nir Felder)
9. The Voice of King Nipsey (feat. Kamasi Washington, Robert 'Sput' Searight, Larry Goldings & Nir Felder)
