Stretching his horizons, yet looking both backwards and forwards, Nicholas Payton forms a unique trio with all stars Buster Williams/b and Lenny White/dr in that the trumpeter continues his expansion into other instruments and brings in both piano and keyboards. The result is a kaleidoscopic collection of sounds hinting at early plugged in Miles, sometimes bopping, other moments going into the soul funk. Most interesting is that much of the album is focused on re-visiting songs made famous by Miles Davis, with many of them augmented by interview snips, as Geri Allen talks around the spacey “Feed The Fire”, Keith Jarrett lectures on the mellow post bopper “Blossom”, and Wayne Shorter reflects on Miles around Payton’s rich horn on a soulful “Pinocchio” . Herbie Hancock gives insight as he chats on a mellow and dreamy “Sorcerer” with Max Roach getting hip on “Jazz Is A Four Letter Word”.
Payton’s strength is still his horn, and it is Freddie Hubbard bright on “Bleek’s Blues” with an easy cadence to “Along Came Betty”. The artist is painting with new colors, some which cover the canvas well.