Customer Reviews

Into the Blue

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the work of a BAND. Nicholas composed and arranged the songs, but the intended result was not to feature his trumpet playing as much as to lay out the groove of the music. It is a SHARED platform for all the musicians and it succeeds big time. If this cd was playing quietly in the background at a coffee shop it would be unappreciated for how serious an effort it is. Kicking up the volume on a decent sound system at home reveals state of the art jazz. I particularly liked the way the percussion slid in and out. Also the Fender Rhodes piano had [for me] a Les McCann vibe. Nicholas is proving he can play hot or cool in the variety of wonderful albums he has released.

Since he came on the scene, Nicholas Payton has been known for his killer technique and big sound. Listening to him you could easily hear the influences of Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan and Woody Shaw - all cats who could make flames jump out the bell of their horns. It would be a safe statement to say that Nick can pretty much do it all when it comes to trumpet. While some may argue that this recording lacks the fire of his previous works, to me Into the Blue feels like new chapter in the musical life of its composer. I find it to be more honest and real than anything he has released to date and because of that I consider it his best thus far.

I read one comparison between Into the Blue and the Miles Davis classic recording of Kind of Blue and there is evidence to support that statement. While Nick may be known for high energy, several songs feature some of the most soulful, melodic and thoughtful playing that I've ever heard from him or any other trumpet player. "Drucilla" starts off melancholy and moody before gradually transforming into a swinging affair that ends far too soon. "Let It Ride" and "The Backward Step" also feature the same fantastic playing. When I caught Nicholas at Blues Alley a few weeks ago he had added lyrics to these tunes which makes sense when you hear them. They practically scream for words. He also lends his voice to the tune "Blue" following in a long line of trumpet players who also sang (Louis Armstrong, Chet Baker, and Clark Terry to name a few). "Triptych" and "Nida" remind me of DC's homegrown sensation of go-go. Both are groove based and feature in the pocket percussion.

What is amazing to me is Nick's transformation with regards to sound and style. Even his phrasing feels different. Needless to say I enjoy this album very much.

I felt disappointed by this album, which seemed to me insipid, even careless. I found the heads uninspiring, and often the groove didn't groove ... when it did, it owed more to Kevin Hays's Fender Rhodes than any glue or kick from the leader (eg. the amateurish loss of pace on the solo handover on 'Nida'). While this is not great music, Payton clearly can play trumpet, but - objectively - he is a rubbish singer (Chet Baker heroin chic is his chosen style); worse he attempts a shapeless tune that sounds on the point of stalling throughout.

I noticed John Fordham rated it in a Guardian review, so perhaps I'm missing something, but Kind of Blue it ain't. It's going to stay in my cupboard until I get an elevator installed ...

Ok I found this album to be really enjoying. It's not a record that will probably blow you away on the very first listen. This album is dare I say like a onion that comes at you in layers with repeated listening, each time you hear it you discover something else because this record is very laid back and subtle. It's definitely not a red hot smoking post bop date with searing trumpet solos and crazy complex melodies. The reason I called it jazz for the 21st century is that it bridges the gap with its hip hop inspired grooves and simple laid back melodies and also mixing a acoustic jazz line up of drums, upright bass, piano and trumpet with some added synth and the Fender rhodes piano and wurlitzer. I like that all the electronic elements are very subtle and don't dominate the songs at all. Instead they do what I believe electronic technology should do and that is enhance the music's overall creative aim period! My personal favorite tracks are #3 Triptych & #5 The Crimson Touch. I hate how lots of people want jazz musicians to continue to only exhibit the influence of Charlie Parker, John Coltrane and all the other jazz greats we all love from the past 50 years. Jazz music in my opinion now is supposed to fuse the vibe and influences of the times and environment that the music is being made in and in this case I'm sure Mr Payton has had some other influences besides bop, hard bop ect. you get the point right? The only place this falls short is on the track Blue with Nick's vocal, I prefer his trumpet but thats me. Bottom line is this album is a good laid back piece of modern jazz that deserves some serious attention.

I was hopeful that this would live up to the first CD by him that I ever heard... but alas, it did not. He seemed to have started off on a good note, so to speak but the music became increasingly chaotic. Not that it may not appeal to me some other time and it may even be a 'record' of where he's at right now. But I simply didn't enjoy listening. I tried but just couldn't stay with it. Now I know why I download a tune at a time rather than buy a whole CD.

Nicholas... remember your roots and give us a hint, a glimpse of the real you. I think this is some experiment that doesn't work.

Just FAT!
Listen to Triptych, nr. 3, real treat
for for drummers & percussionists, bassman,
FENDER RHODES MAN!... and the trumpet?!