It turns out that Payton has a solid voice with a distinctive style that will remind veteran jazz fans of the immortal Dinah Washington, but in a lower range and with a few more tricks in the Payton repertoire. Surrounded by a solid band led by pianist/arranger Billy Mitchell, Payton rips through a delightful set of eight romantic standards and two original compositions, the title track and "Love of My Life."

Highlights of a mostly delicious album include a stunning rendition of the evergreen "Teach Me Tonight" (perhaps my favorite jazz ballad of all time) and a wistful salute to Dinah Washington in a touching version of "What a Difference a Day Made." There's a lovely version of "My Funny Valentine," which must be one of the most recorded songs ever, and a magnificent arrangement of Leon Russell's great tune, "This Masquerade" (made famous by guitar genius George Benson.

Some recordings can only be played at one level. Turn it up, stick a little cotton in your ears, and let the music scream!

That's the only way to listen to "Lightness . . . to Dark" (Brambus 199914-2), the raucous rave from the Robert Ross Band. Recorded in March of 1993 in a dark club that catered to blues enthusiasts and closed its door not long after this album was captured, the album finds Robert Ross and his two colleagues in what must have been rare form.

I never heard of Ross, but on this session he plays excellent blues guitar and sings like he grew up in Memphis. The somewhat funky sound makes the listener feel like he or she is hanging tight on the lip of the stage, delighted to be enveloped in the mass of sound put together by Ross and his bassist Mark Dann and drummer Howie Wyeth.

The music is masterful renditions of some of the best blues tunes of our time, including "Seventh Son," "Let's Go Get Stoned," "Ninety-Nine and a Half," and "Why Don't You Do Right."

This is blues at its best: live and gutsy. Hats in the air and let's all cheer!

If you're a long time fan of late night TV and always thought the best thing about the Johnny Carson "Tonight" show was the music played by the big band led by Doc Severinsen, you'll want to head to your favorite CD retailer for a copy of "Catching Up," (Klavier KD-77024) .

The CD is a tribute to the late musician Dick Cary, who spent his life as a player, performer, writer and arranger. For years, Cary's home in California was home to a rehearsal band of top musicians enjoying their nights off by playing big band jazz.

"Catching Up" captures one of those evenings, with 16 excellent Cary arrangements played with finesse by such names as Tommy Newsom (arranger for the Tonight Show Band), Abe Most, Dick Hamilton (trumpet player and leader of the band), along with other top-flight players.

When trumpet legend Dr. Donald Byrd produces an album featuring a relatively unknown trumpet player, there's little doubt about what's coming through the speakers when such album reaches your CD turntable. Greatness looms. And that's just the case with Darren Barrett's debut, "First One Up" (J Curve JCR1006).

Barrett has made a bit of a splash in his work with Antonio Hart and Jackie McLean. There's no question that he's ready for the big time, and this album demonstrates his chops in a masterful fashion. The 11 tracks give Barrett plenty of room to let loose in an interesting collection of eight originals, plus wonderful arrangements of Thelonious Monk's "Reflections" and the Steve Allen standard, "Impossible."

Barrett plays with a wide-open style that rip with abandon, or play pretty for the people He receives excellent help with pianist Aaron Goldberg, saxophonist Jimmy Green, drummer John Lamkin, and bassist Reuben Rogers. Sax master Kenny Garrett replaces Green on three tracks.

Look for Barrett to gain increasing national attention as a leader and superb man with a horn.

-------------------------------------------------