“The most appealing thing about Nicholas Payton’s Nonesuch debut, “Into the Blue,” is that it’s simply an unfailingly sweet listening experience. The album is groove-rich, and Payton’s trumpet sound has a feel and a shape that will seduce your ears. Of the seven originals, the chilled groove of “Let It Ride” and the delightful rumination between piano and trumpet that dominates “The Crimson Touch” deliver some of the best moments. The final track, “The Charleston Hop,” is a terrific ensemble performance that lights the fuse on a Payton solo that’s a masterful blending of flash and substance. —Philip Van Vleck”
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