NICHOLAS PAYTON

TRIUNE

Smoke Sessions Records

Nicholas Payton, piano/flugelhorn/Fender Rhodes/vocals/tambourine/hand claps/clavinet/trumpet; esperanza spaulding, vocals/bass; Karriem Riggins, drums; SPECIAL GUESTS: Nikki Glaspie, vocals; Ivan Neville, vocals/organ/clavinet; Erica Falls & Otis McDonald, vocals.

What a joyful experience to hear Nicholas Payton featured on piano. The title of his new work of musical art is “Triune.”  That title translates to consisting of three in one, especially with reference to the Trinity or Godhead. This gifted trumpeter, pianist, and composer has brought together three true visionaries (Payton, esperanza Spaulding & Karriem Riggins) to create a project that synergizes them into a singular creative force.

They open with a Geri Allen composition titled, “Unconditional Love.”  The melody is sung wordlessly by bass master, esperanza spaulding, her soprano voice ringing like a human trumpet across the space. The drums of Karriem Riggins’ open this arrangement, setting the tempo and mood.  When Payton’s piano enters, it captures my attention and imagination.  There is something magical in his touch on the 88-keys.  Payton makes his approach to being a keyboardist sound so simplistic, but it’s artsy and complex at the same time.

“Each of us is a leader in our own right, but together we combine to form a unified sound,” Payton shares.

Recognizing the multi-talents of each of these artists, I expected this to be an exceptional and exciting project. I was not disappointed. Karriem Riggins is a drummer (also beat-maker and producer) who easily crosses borders and jumps genres from Straight-ahead, bebop and swing jazz to more hip-hop collaborative work with poet Common, J Dilla, Daft Punk and even Erykah Badu. spaulding brings her bad-ass bass talents and a stunning vocal ability. Payton ties the trio together with his multi-keyboard talents, his heralded trumpet and flugelhorn abilities, and he has composed most of the songs on this album. Also included are some gifted guest talents like singer Nikki Glaspie, Otis McDonald, Erica Falls and Ivan Neviller.

The Payton composition, “Ultraviolet” is a song that leans towards contemporary jazz. During a gig he had, Payton overheard Nikki Glaspie humming his song’s melody during their soundcheck. Payton took this as a sign that she was meant to sing on his album.  On this arrangement she adds harmonic voicings.

“Jazz is a Four Letter Word” has a hip hop, funk groove with spaulding lead singing and reiterating the title in a jazzy way, dancing atop the funk. Her bass walks powerfully all the while, locking hands with Karriem’s drums, like a game of arm wrestling. They are unified and hold this groove in place. Payton’s piano renderings sparkle throughout.

Each composition on this album of intense and beautiful music celebrates the composing talents of Nicholas Payton, along with his unique arranging abilities. The arrangements also boldly feature the individual talents of his amazing players.  It is impressive to hear Payton play keyboards and piano with the same excellence that he has when he mans his trumpet and flugelhorn.

Together, these gifted musicians express themselves across a multi-jazz-genre, touching on fusion, funk, hip hop, blues, traditional and modern jazz in one, glorious breath of creativity.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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