January/February 2000

Nicholas Payton
Nick @ Night
Verve

By Willard Jenkins

Payton delivers a program of largely originals, spiced by two additions from the band (Tim Warfield, saxes; Anthony Wonsey, piano; Reuben Rogers, bass; Adonis Rose, drums) and the surprise inclusion of Maurice White's pop-jazz classic "Sun Goddess." This disc represents a decidedly more radio-friendly Payton approach, as exemplified by "Sun Goddess" and Warfield's consistent utilization of the soprano sax, an instrument which has been just about beaten to mush in lesser hands, though Tim has an attractive sound that transcends the all-too-prevalent nasal tone of lesser lights.