Customer Reviews

Momentum

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Excuse the hyperbole, but this album is stunning. It's so much more than a virtuoso performance from the basic trio of Sam Yahel (keyboards), Jeff Ballard/Brian Blade (drums,percussion) and the masterful Redman. It encompasses a width and depth of material that displays a willingness to adopt and adapt styles and material from what may seem on first viewing a bizarre set of sources. Then of course there are the guests, who themselves come from a musical spectrum, but are added and used in ways that enhance the overall performance - they are not there simply to be luminary names. It's also important to stress the performance of Redman,who continues to propel forward and lead others to follow him.The choice of the name 'Elastic Band' implies the kind of elasticity that he's capable of generating and 'Momentum' is generated throughout the album.Difficult to pick favourites as it's such a strong outing, but I'll start by picking the version of Ornette Coleman's "Lonely Woman which has the added delight of Stephon Harris on vibes, as does the next track, the Redman composed "Swunk" which features Redman on soprano sax. In trio mode their version of Led Zep's "The Grunge" is an absolute delight as is the Redman composed "Sweet Nasty".The guests are always there for a purpose or a sound and in "Put it in your pocket" which is another Redman track ?uestlove on drums, Nicholas Payton on trumpet and Peter Bernstein on guitar all contribute to the development of the theme. I could continue, but it would probably detract from the need to shout "Buy it!". This is one of the most satisfying albums of the year in any genre. It deserves to be played loudly (and I mean loudly), and begets the question where will Redman go next? Stunning!

OUCH!!!! I have been a slave to this CD for months. Playing it in my car with my sub nearly jumpin' outta the trunk makes life worth livin'. It reminds me so much of that fabulous funky jazz of the early 80's...like Weather Report and early Brecker Brothers. I was prepared to drive for 3.5 hours to the Joshua Redman and the Elastic Band show at Jazz Alley in Seattle from Hood River, Oregon in January, but at the last minute...cancellation!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE COME BACK TO THE NORTHWEST SOON! Portland misses you!

This is by far my favorite of Joshua Redmans albums. I can play it over and over without tiring of it. It's definitely not as traditional sounding as his other projects, but I think it's a great step. This is a very creative album with no duds. I like to see artists evolve and try different things. Imagine is Sting were still doing top 40 pop tunes like the early days. It would get tiresome after a while. (But then again, I think top 40 music is tiresome before it begins)

There's a lot of great groove and funky stuff on this album. Kind of like Down To The Bone's stuff, but not repetitive. I personally haven't noticed the short length of the songs. I usually play it on my home stereo while doing something else, so I'm not faced with the track times like I would be on the computer.

Unless you hate jazz you should definitely own this album.

Every artist comes out with at least one album that's extremely, EXTREMELY different from what their other albums sound like; Cannonball Adderley's "Phenix," Pat Metheny group "The Way Up," Cirque Du Soleil, "Solarium/Delirium," and sure enough...Joshua Redman cooked up something in his sound shack and WALLA! Momentum!

Unlike his modern hard-bop/cool-like style, this album features a very funky, yet very fresh groove which really locks in with not only the very teasteful use of synthesizers and electric instruments, but also with the natural sounds of Guitar, trumpet, drums (NOT drum programming,) and his own pure, fat, focused, and sweet tone. He doesn't use electronic instruments anymore than needed (otherwise it'll just sound like noise, which will sound like, crap, of course.) and he "balances" everything just enough, while attracting all kinds of audiences with this funky new album. The use of special effects, even with acoustic instruments, such as metric displacements and electronic sequencing make this album fun to listen to, especially hearing so many different effects.

No matter who you are, you WILL love this album. Even people from our music school who are strictly traditional jazz musicians will tell you that this album is a MUST-HAVE. Just get it and you will be listening to it countless times.

Well executed, well thought out and smart compositions that go somewhere. Good stuff. Jeff Ballard is nearly as amazing as Blade - watch out!

. . . again . . . and finally finds the right formula.

The Harvard grad, son of a famous free-jazzin' dad, hits it big with his latest release. A development of a continuing gig with keyboardist Sam Yahel, The Elastic Band, in its second outing, stretches out, as it were, adding Rhodes and synth to organ and top guests on several numbers. Still grounded in jazz/funk, the trio has found its true voice--one that is tight/loose, snarly/slinky, whiplash/funky, burning/cool. Redman especially seems more focused, spinning out fiery, edgy solos. And the addition of Jeff Ballard, perhaps the greatest of the younger drummers, on half the cuts pushes things to an even higher level.

It's always great to see a young, talented musician finally find the proper context to unleash his prodigious talent. And make no mistake, he's found it, with Momentum. Together with the eponymous first fruits of his gig as music director of the SF Jazz Collective, this disc marks nothing short of the rebirth of Joshua Redman. A brilliant session.

I bought this CD after catching Joshua Redmand and his Elastic Band (Sam Yahel, Jeff Ballard, and Mike Moreno) at the Blue Note in NYC late last year. It was an unbelieveable show! Of course Joshua Redman was fantastic, but Jeff Ballard played drums like a man possessed - absolutely incredible! I got this CD soon afterwards and I am very happy with it. Especially check out the following tracks: (2) Sweet Nasty, (6) Riverwide, and (7) Greasy G. If you listen to the Amazon samples, you might not get a good feel for Riverwide, as it has a slow "build" (for lack of the proper musical term); however, it is a fine song - trust me. By all means if you have the opportunity to see Joshua Redman and the Elastic Band live, don't hesitate! If you like the Momentum CD, also check out James Carter's Layin' In The Cut which came out in 2000.

With Momentum, the young tenor saxophonist has produced his finest record to date. The band of Sam Yahel (keyboards), Brian Blade or Jeff Ballard (drums), plus guests, cooks from the get-go with fire and funk, producing a rich, attractive stew.

A fine session, not to be missed.

Just so that you know, there's a lot of real short groove and.or ambient stuff on here - stuff that I just delete before putting it on my MP3 player. Good album - not great, but very good. It doesn't hit me that hard though - certainly not a five star album. I'm a big fan of JR and have almost all of his albums. Let me just say this - if you liked "Elastic", you'll like this one - no question. I liked Elastic and I like this album but, for me, neither are 5 star albums. I reserve 5 star for true masterpieces and these aren't exactly that but they're both very good

This is the first Joshua Redman CD I've had the opportunity to hear. Man, this guy's got it. I read some of the other reviews and a couple mentioned this is not as good as other CDs he has released. I absolutely can not imagine it getting any better than this.

This cat reminds me of Monk, Byrd, Hancock, the Headhunters, and Cannonball all wrapped up in one. It is a throwback with great respect for the masters. It is a grand relief from the blind purchases I have made of so-called new artist whose work sound as scripted and redundant as a Broadway play.

This cat can improvise, he is versatile, and the short cuts leave you begging for more. If he is smart, he would take those very same short cuts and develop them to full length on a future CD.

But since others say this is not as good as other releases, I am compelled to order the older releases to see for myself. If they are correct, then I can only say it will be money well spent!