Album Review: Nicholas Payton - TRIUNE

Nicholas Payton

TRIUNE

*** out of *****

For his most recent album Nicholas Payton recruited a rhythm section he originally worked with back in 2010, delivering a smooth slice of modern jazz on TRIUNE. The cosmopolitan, tranquil outings contained on the record are easy on the ears, as the players deliver refined tunes. 

Recording in his hometown of New Orleans the trumpeter/keyboardist (focusing much more on keys this album) brought in esperanza spalding on bass/vocals and drummer Karriem Riggins, both artists are well renowned in the jazz world and beyond. The trio are very comfortable in this rich, easy flowing setting.   

The opening effort finds Payton focusing on key work as spalding vocalizes soothing sounds in a high register with Riggins modestly keeping things moving. The opener can be a bit light and flighty at times, but there is a deeper groove established on "Ultraviolet" which brings onboard the first guest, as Nikki Glaspie provides vocals that stay in the floating range without lyrics. 

That changes for "Jazz Is A Four Letter Word" as spalding plays dexterous bass and sings the title refrain, while Payton (for the first time on the album) focuses on a smooth trumpet solo. That is the key adjective here, smooth, as the players are light on their feet and easily stroll from tune to tune. 

Unfortunately that smoothness can lend itself to tunes just floating by without real impact or staying power. "Let It Ride" is pleasant enough, with more sweet singing from spalding, but never truly connects. "Gold Dust Black Magic" is better with excellent drumming from Riggins, electro keys and rich bass support before more vocal flights of fancy from spalding, but in the end it also floats away rather than dig in.

Things pick up on "#bamisforthechildren" as guests Ivan Neville and Eric Falls bring some funk into the fold as Payton wanted to create an ode to Sly Stone and succeeded with some bright horn lines to go along with the groove. The album wraps with a dip back into the jazz yet "Feed The Fire" is touch more energetic, with skittering drums, keys and bass, ending the album on a solid note and some sweet trumpet blares.    

The well versed trio deliver clean crisp sounds throughout the polished TRIUNE. 

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