Terrace Martin's "3ChordFold" Album Stream

Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa are among the high-profile guests featured on 3ChordFold, the forthcoming album from producer-musician Terrace Martin. The collection, which Martin is calling a mixture of Quincy Jones’ Back on the Block and Dr. Dre’s 2001 albums, is due August 13.

“Quincy Jones and Dr. Dre have paved the way for artists like me,” Martin says. “With this project, I hope to be able to walk in their footsteps. 3ChordFold definitely shows my growth and I strive to one day to be considered among the ranks of the greats who have come before me.”

3ChordFold bridges the gap between Jazz and Hip Hop, infusing spitfire lyrics with progressive jazz riffs, according to Empire Distribution, which will be releasing the project. Robert Glasper, Problem, Musiq Soulchild, Lalah Hathaway, James Fauntleroy and Ab-Soul are also featured on the album, which also includes songs co-written and produced by 9th Wonder.

Martin says 3ChordFold thematically examines love from multiple perspectives. “In love, it’s the three characteristics in a relationship: the freeloader, the renter, the buyer,” he says. “In life, it’s the three things that fold up your very existence: Money, sex, liquor; friends, lovers, enemies; hours, minutes, seconds; God, family, work. The freeloader does what they need to do to take what they can from people. They are around long enough to get what they need but don’t give anything. The renter, this is the opportunist, around until something better comes along, simply surviving until the opportunity for something else appears. They are only loyal when its necessary. When the mental lease is up, they have no problem moving on. [They’re] not invested in long term. The buyer, this is your support system. They have all the respect for you and for the relationship, investing in forever. They never let you settle and prove that they are in for the long haul. [They’re] 50/50 surrounded by unconditional love, faithful, loyal.”

On July 30, Martin is slated to release the single and video for 3ChordFold selection “No Wrong, No Right,” which features Glasper and Fauntleroy. Other songs on the album include a Hip Hop and Jazz-infused cover of Michael Jackson’s “Can’t Help It.”

A saxophonist and long-time producer of Snoop Dogg and DPG-affiliated acts, Martin tours with Kendrick Lamar, playing saxophone and keyboards during his shows.

(July 3)

UPDATE: The artwork to Terrace Martin’s 3ChordFold has been released: