Jamie Safir: Momentism

Pianist Jamie Safir has spent more than 15 years writing, recording and performing with artists including Laufey, Kylie Minogue, Jamie Cullum and Annie Lennox. His compositional work includes a Christmas single for singer- songwriter Will Young and a co-writing credit on Ian Shaw's 2022 album Greek Street Friday (Silent Wish Records). He is also a familiar presence at Ronnie Scott's, where his debut solo show, Piano Talk, co-written with Shaw, was a sell-out.

A new chapter began when Chill Tone Records invited Safir to record for the label, resulting in his debut album, Momentism. He is joined by bassist Conor Chaplin and drummer Luke Tomlinson, with tenor saxophonist Iain Ballamy adding his distinctive voice to many of the tracks.

"The idea of Momentism is about struggling to be present in the moment, which is a necessity in jazz but also in life," Safir explains. "But it also has to do with making decisions in the moment that feel good now but may be damaging later down the line." It is an idea well suited to jazz, where instinct, interaction and the willingness to follow an impulse can be as important as anything written down. Safir explores the theme across 11 tracks, contributing 10 compositions; "Amethyst" is co-written with vocalist Emma Smith.

The title track makes an understated entrance, Safir establishing the album's sound world through a warm-toned, enveloping improvisation. "Boulevardier" shifts the temperature considerably. Ballamy's tenor arrives with a bold motif, riding Chaplin and Tomlinson's groove before giving way to flowing exchanges between saxophone and piano. It is an indication of the chemistry at work here and one of the album's strongest performances. That chemistry continues on "Hirsute Pursuit," the trio setting allowing Chaplin and Tomlinson to stretch out.

Safir is often drawn towards more reflective terrain. "Black Star Sapphire," "The World In The Evening" and the evocative "Mad Sad Bad" favor a gentle and mellow approach. Safir's touch and subtlety are particularly telling, with his restraint carrying its own expression. The light Latin rhythm underpinning "Amethyst" makes it the pick of the slower tracks. Safir's elegant sense of timing makes the most of the bittersweet melody, while Tomlinson's tasteful percussion adds color and lift.

Elsewhere, there are no prizes for the inspirations behind the stylish "Duke Balington" and the brisk "Clocker" offers a store of fine solos from piano, bass and saxophone. Safir and Chaplin settle into sympathetic dialogue on "Esprit D'Escalier" to close out an album rich in lyricism but carrying an emotional edge just below the surface. Momentism is distinguished by Safir's playing, which offers accessibility and an easy elegance neatly wrapped in natural phrasing, deft improvisation and harmonic imagination.