Marcus Strickland's Twi-Life was formed in 2015 for the purpose of recording the saxophonist's debut Blue Note album as a leader. The band name comes from the leader's acclaimed 2006 double album that featured two different quartets. Twi-Life's personnel includes trumpeter Keyon Harrold, bassist Kyle Miles, drummer Charles Haynes, organist Mitch Henry, and keyboardist Masayuki Hirano. Their album Nihil Novi was produced by Meshell Ndegeocello, and features guest appearances from a star-studded cast including Robert Glasper (who played on the 2006 date), Chris Bruce, Chris Dave, and Pino Palladino. The recording was released in April of 2016. Two years later, Strickland's group issued its sophomore Blue Note date, People of the Sun. Self-produced, the band's personnel shifted a bit with Palladino replaced by bassist Kyle Miles and supplemented on five tracks by Ghanaian born, U.S.-based percussion master Weedie Braimah. The single "On My Mind" featured guest appearances by Bilal, Pharoahe Monch, and Greg Tate. ~ Thom Jurek, Rovi