Nicholas PaytonInto The BlueReview

There are as many types of jazz as people who listen to it. This reviewer alone is partial to a classic post bop session from the Jazz Messengers, full of fire and ambition; the extreme noise of a European improviser like Peter Brotzmann or even Diane Reeves, whose latest album is a strong mainstream record with enough invention, skill and musical intelligence to be a stimulating listen. Which brings us, with regret, to this new album by trumpeter Nicholas Payton. He has a long and distinguished history as a side man and a leader on the current US jazz scene. It's unfortunately the type of jazz that leaves one cold.

It’s a dull, unambitious plod through a big pile of jazz clichés. Drucilla and Chinatown sound like substandard takes on Kind Of Blue-period Miles Davis. The rest of the album is dominated by the sickly electric piano of Kevin Hays and the irritating, crass percussion of Daniel Sadownick. There's no question that Payton is a competent musician but his playing has a slightly woozy tone. His compositions lack originality and rely on over familiar themes and styles. On the vaguely funky Triptych both Peyton and Hays solo on for an eternity without once turning an original phrase. You may end up shouting at the speakers ''for God’s sake, have an idea!''.

Just by the law of averages Payton must have made better records than this.