Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Nicholas Payton: Afro-Caribbean Mixtape

15

Nicholas Payton: Afro-Caribbean Mixtape

By

Sign in to view read count
Nicholas Payton: Afro-Caribbean Mixtape
In 2011 New Orleans trumpeter Nicholas Payton set fire to social media with his outspoken views on the death of jazz, race and Black American music. The backdraft produced not only fiercely opposing views but also hate-mail directed towards Payton. While the debate continues on what is and what isn't jazz, there's never been a question about Payton's talent or abilities. Throughout his discography as a Postmodern New Orleans musician, Payton's mastery of the horn is without reproach and sung with complete authenticity. His urgency to continue to grow is displayed in Afro-Caribbean Mixtape which integrates jazz, social commentary, Hip Hop and R&B with Afro-descended dialects of Central America and the Caribbean.

Like a DJ, Payton's splices 22 tracks across 2 discs of vibrant music performed by a top notch band which includes keyboardist Kevin Hays and percussionist Daniel Sadownick who both played on Payton's 2003 release Sonic Trace (Warner Brothers). Laid back grooves coalesce with insightful quotes from influential thinkers and musicians such like drummer Max Roach in "Jazz is a Four-Letter Word." One of coolest is the title track; a throwback to the 70's as Payton's electrically augmented horn serenades alongside a funky rhythm.

Afro Caribbean rhythms flow through "La Guajira" as Payton's band dances with traditional claves then test the waters of experimental psychedelia in "El Guajiro" lifted by Payton's expressive trumpet permutations, Sadownick's fragrant percussion and outstanding traps from drummer Joe Dyson. There's a funky Herbie Hancock Headhunter—vibe to "Kimathi" where DJ Lady Fingaz works her magic on turntables.

Though Disc 2 leans more towards elements of urban dance it is nonetheless persuasive in merging different music styles. "Jewel" opens with opulent strings and Vicente Archer's bowing arco while Payton provides a rhapsodic solo. It dovetails nicely into "Junie's Boogie" which could've been a jam heard in a Don Cornelius "Soul Train" line, complete with swaying Afros, Bellbottom pants and platform shoes. This is Soul music that swings. One of the gems is "Othello" where the multitalented Payton's vocals are as impressive as his horn with its Monkish "Round Midnght" feel and bebop swing.

In spite of its many categorizations and what some would call the dilution of the four letter J word, jazz is intrinsically linked to the Black music experience of which Payton's Afro-Caribbean Mixtape celebrates. This is music you can enjoy on many levels regardless of what you label it.

Track Listing

Disc 1: Tape Intro; Afro-Caribbean Mix; ACM Remix 1; #BAMboula; Intro to Kimathi; Jazz is a Four-Letter Word; La Guajira; El Guajiro; ACM Remix 2; Madmwazel Ayiti; Kimathi (Main Theme); Disc 2:Jewel; Junie's Interlude; Junie's Boogie; Othello; Kimathi (for our Elders and out Children); Jazz is a Four-Letter; Relexification (Midnight at Tyler's); Kimathi (Cotton Gin_Tonic); The Egyptian Second Line; ACM Remix 3; Call and Response.

Personnel

Nicholas Payton: trumpet, piano, vocals; Kevin Hays: keyboards; Vicente Archer: bass; Joe Dyson: drums. Daniel Sadownick: percussion; DJ Lady Fingaz: turntablist.

Album information

Title: Afro-Caribbean Mixtape | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Paytone Records

Comments

Tags

Concerts

Mar 28 Thu
Mar 28 Thu
Mar 29 Fri
Mar 29 Fri

For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Candid
Sunny Five
Inside Colours Live
Julie Sassoon

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.