Super Marimba/Composer

American Record Guide: ". . . MacDonald's works marshal a virtuosic tour de force from the performer. The rippling, shimmering textures he creates are hard to describe. I can't begin to imagine how he accomplishes them. Marimba wizardry? The cozy harmonies, the velvety propulsions, the gliding layers groove like some gauzy gamelan. As I listen, I'm drawn through a trance into the dizzying spell of MacDonald's Marimba-Oz."

Grooves Magazine: "Marimbas are often stigmatized as mere entertainment for tots or fodder for broken-record minimalism. Payton MacDonald manages to trump both stereotypes with Super Marimba . . .[MacDonald] grew eight arms and concocts cats'-cradle melodies that seem to be performed by two musicians and offer new every time. . .Superhuman."

Sequenza 21: ". . . this is an incredible album, with a lot of engaging and utterly beautiful music."

Textura Magazine: "Though Super Marimba includes remarkable performances, it's ultimately less noteworthy for its technical virtuosity and innovative instrument effects than for the strength of its compositions."

1700hz.com:“It is some of the best original contemporary classical music I have ever heard, performed by a man with extraordinary talent and a bright musical future.”

Allmusic: "MacDonald's [tabla] concerti are wonderfully colorful, full of shimmering, glistening sonorities with which the tabla engages in a dance that sounds both mystical and earthy."

Alarm Will Sound

The New York Times: "Payton MacDonald's rich-textured Cowboy Tabla/Cowboy Raga . . . is nearly a percussion concerto, with Mr. MacDonald as energetic soloist."

The New York Times: "the future of classical music, or let's hope so."

The Village Voice: "a crackerjack ensemble."

Time Out New York: "the youngest -- and perhaps fastest rising -- of the classical new jacks."

Fanfare: "reminds one more of a rock band than a chamber orchestra."

LA Times: "Fresh and energetic performances ... leaves you breathless."

Verederos Flute and Percussion Duo

American Record Guide: “Things really start percolating when MacDonald switches to the tabla to play his own quite novel Ikky Gober.”

Percussive Notes: “MacDonald’s hand drumming is inspired.”

Fanfare: ". . . first rate music in lovely performances recorded to perfection."