So I’ve been waiting for quite a while for the new Joshua Redman album, Momentum, to come out. His last album, Elastic is one of my all time favorites, so I was really looking forward to the new release. He did not disappoint!

Fortunately iTunes had it together and had it available today (the day it was released). My good friend Derek Worth reminded me of the release so I quickly went out and grabbed it. WOW. Just plain WOW. Redman has done it again, this one is great. Continuing his collaboration with keyboardist Sam Yahel he’s continued the feel he started with Elastic. I’m not sure if I like it better than Elastic just yet, while it’s also with his Elastic Band it definitely has that awesome funk feel to it, but it’s a bit more out there in places than the last. When I started writing this I wasn’t sure if that was good or not, but now I’m sure, it is. For someone as amazing as Redman is it’s not surprising to see him branch out into new places. While this is still a Jazz album at heart, it’s really much more than that blending funk, fusion, techno, hip-hop, oh, and of course modern Jazz (no Kenny G crap here!).

It’s also awesome to see the musicians that he’s included on this release, including drummer Jeff Ballard, vibraphonist Stefon Harris, trumpeter Nicholas Payton, and guitarists Peter Bernstein, Eric Krasno, Jeff Parker, and Kurt Rosenwinkel. Oh, and saving the best for last Flea (incase you’re clueless of The Red Hot Chili Peppers). Man-o-man can he lay down a groove. Track 11, “Double Jeopardy” is just awesome, the groove he throws on it is funk itself.

While it is getting some mixed reviews, mainly citing that it’s to “reserved” I totally disagree. Where they see reserved I see style, patience, and intent. Redman clearly wanted to go outside the box here without getting so outside that he looses the listener. Listening to it is simply a joy, you can help but tap your foot and do the white boy overbite

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!