Momentum (Joshua Redman album)


Momentum is a 2005 studio album by American jazz saxophonist Joshua Redman. The album was released on 24 May 2005 by Nonesuch label. All compositions are original works by Redman unless otherwise noted.

Reception

Matt Collar of Allmusic wrote "Once again featuring the expansive keyboard talents of Sam Yahel, saxophonist Joshua Redman's Momentum features more of the '70s-influenced jazz the former "young lion" experimented with on 2002's Elastic. Bringing to mind works by such iconic artists as Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, and especially Eddie Harris, Redman digs into sundry groove-oriented tracks such as the driving and punchy "Sweet Nasty," which finds Yahel and Redman soloing hard over drummer Jeff Ballard's James Brown-ready dance beat. Redman conscribes some heavy sidemen to help stir the funk this time around with bassists Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and jazz-pop iconoclast Me'Shell NdegéOcello adding their signature styles to their respective tracks. Similarly, Roots drummer Questlove, drummer Brian Blade, vibraphonist Stefon Harris, and guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkle contribute much with appearances here. However, it is organist Yahel who sets the musical tone for the whole album, adding in bubbly ambient synth sounds, clavinet, and Rhodes piano throughout. With all these talents at Redman's disposal it is disappointing that Momentum isn't more adventurous. When set next to such classics of '70s funk as Davis' On the Corner or Hancock's Head Hunters, Redman's album is just too polite and controlled to really live up to such comparisons."

Track listing

  1. "Soundcheck"
  2. "Sweet Nasty"
  3. "Just a Moment"
  4. "Shut Your Mouth"
  5. "The Crunge"
  6. "Riverwide"
  7. "Greasy G"
  8. "Lonely Woman"
  9. "Swunk"
  10. "Blowing Changes"
  11. "Double Jeopardy"
  12. "Put It in Your Pocket"
  13. "Showtime"

    Personnel