Payton played with the San Francisco Jazz Collective at the Barbican a couple of years ago but his last album as a band leader was in 2003 with Sonic Trance, before that there was Nick@Night on Verve but Into The Blue is already being aclaimed as his best yet as his style matures.

Payton is from New Orleans which, as you know, has a bit of a past record when it comes to trumpet and flugelhorn players but he’s very modern al a Roy Hargrove. Not only that, like Hargrove, in the past he’s not confined himself to Jazz (whether that be the Marsalis school or the ‘When The Saints Go Marching In’ tradition) having previously appeared on albums by Common and Jill Scott as well as the legendary home town pianist, the Mos’ Scocious Dr. John.

That said, Into The Blue is as notable for Payton’s band as it is him. Kevin Hays (keyboards), Vicente Archer (bass), Daniel Sadownick (percussion) and drummer Marcus Gilmore (drums) all play their part.

When was the last time you heard a proper jazz Quintet capture a fusion rock-jazz groove? Probably a long time ago so get on down with ‘Nida’ that was written by his dad, the bassist Walter Payton (not the running back?). Now I’ve bought albums on the strength of one track before but the one here to avoid is the dreary film theme ‘Chinatown’ (by Jerry Goldsmith) and note, the other one written by ‘dad’, ‘Drucilla’ takes a little time to warm up. All the other tracks are Payton’s own compositions and he’s even got quite a good voice as evidenced by ‘Blue’.

Also check out ‘Fleur De Lis’ that finds all musicians on great form and don’t be put off by the title of ‘Charleston Hop’, free-style keys with a broken drum beat. In fact, there’s a couple like that and it’s worth sticking with the longest track, ‘Tryptych’.

Nonesuch is getting to be one of my favourite labels with jazz pianist Brad Mehldau and Steve Reich’s recent album Daniel Variations. Whilst I don’t like to sound like a Guardian reader, I’d say to Mr. Reynolds, Into The Blue is one for the open-minded and a bloody good album.

Reviewed: Nicholas Payton - Into The Blue (Nonesuch) Cat. No. 7559799424 Release date: 21st April 2008
Tracklisting
1. Drucilla (6:25)
2. Let It Ride (7:29)
3. Triptych (11:50)
4. Chinatown (4:01)
5. Crimson Touch (6:15)
6. Backwards Step (6:06)
7. Nida (4:40)
8. Blue (4:40)
9. Fleur De Lis (7:49)
10. Charleston Hop (6:23)

Links
www.nicholaspayton.com
www.last.fm/music/Nicholas Payton
www.nonesuch.com
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra announced its 2008-09 jazz series and Nicholas Payton is slated to appear at Orchestra Hall on March 13, 2009 as part of a Blue Note 70th anniversary celebration, with Bill Charlap, Ravi Coltrane, Pat Martino, Steve Wilson, Peter Washington, and Lewis Nash.