Momentum is the second album from The Joshua Redman Elastic Band. At the group's core is Sam Yahel, with whom Redman began composing, performing, and recording (with Brian Blade on drums) in 2002. Playing with Jeff Ballard on drums, Redman and Yahel have toured throughout several major U.S. cities. A Los Angeles Times review said, "It's no mystery that samplers, sequencers and rhythm machines can produce remarkable results in the hands of performers with minimal musical skills. Would artists such as Redman, keyboardist Sam Yahel and drummer Jeff Ballard find something richer, deeper, darker? The answer is yes." Redman and Yahel worked together to create Redman's album Elastic, as well as a recording released the same year under the moniker Yaya3. Like these previous forays, and this time with a diverse cast of players, Momentum draws upon rock, funk, and other groove-based musical elements, augmenting Redman's saxophone improvisation with various electric effects and instruments.
The twelve-track album includes interpretations of songs by Sheryl Crow, Led Zeppelin, and Ornette Coleman - in addition to material composed by Redman and his Elastic Band counterparts - and features performances by drummer Jeff Ballard, vibraphonist Stefon Harris, trumpeter Nicholas Payton, and guitarists Peter Bernstein, Eric Krasno, Jeff Parker, and Kurt Rosenwinkel. Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea plays on three of the album's tracks, Me'shell N'Degeocello plays bass on Redman's composition "Greasy G," and ?uestlove of The Roots joins Redman on drums for "Put It in Your Pocket."