An elevator pitch on behalf of this quartet might begin by mentioning the musicians' shared
Kendrick Lamar credentials, their vital roles in the progression of jazz, R&B, and rap, and 11 combined Grammy nominations. But no such appeal is necessary when the principal figure,
Terrace Martin, can simply release the recordings through his
Sounds of Crenshaw label. Featuring saxophonist/keyboardist
Martin, pianist
Robert Glasper, beatmaker
9th Wonder, and saxophonist
Kamasi Washington,
Dinner Party has the informal, relaxed, and communal qualities implied by the title. The recurrent presence of
Phoelix, a lyricist/vocalist credited on
Glasper and
Martin's
R+R=Now project and assorted crucial works out of his native Chicago, adds verbal conversation, covering police brutality, weariness, pride, and romance.
Washington complements
Phoelix with supportive playing in a similarly tender fashion, even as he swoops and flutters over the beatific trance groove of "First Responders" and the bobbing "The Mighty Tree." The first of those two tracks and the tone-setting "Sleepless Nights" contain two of
9th's most tranquil and transporting drum patterns, while the producer's sampling prowess is at its sneaky finest on the grainier "Freeze Tag," repurposing a memorable moment from The Boondocks. Least conspicuous of all is
Glasper, so low profile and nuanced at times that he can be mistaken for a sampled element. Facilitator
Martin steps to the front only for the closing "LUV U," a smooth vocoder ballad that can be heard as a make-up sequel to his earlier 2020 solo single "Lies." The brief set overall evokes some of the same feelings as
9th's
Black Radio Recovered remix of "Afro Blue,"
Kendrick's "These Walls," and much of
Martin's
Velvet Portraits, all connected and nutritive recordings offering solace and strength. There's no crosstalk, just completed thoughts. ~ Andy Kellman
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