Phil Sargent: ‘Solo Motions’

Solo instruments seem to work particularly well in jazz, particularly when taking familiar tunes and adding new arrangements and improvisation: this is certainly true of ‘Solo Motions’, the upcoming release from guitarist Phil Sargent.

Although motion through each tune is evident across Solo Motions, there is also tranquillity and calm, allowing the music to envelop the listener.

The opening track is an arrangement of I Should Care and Sargent takes the tune on a special journey around the full spectrum of the guitar itself using melodic and harmonic improvisation.

I’ve come to enjoy the playing of several guitarists over recent years (Luft, Price, Ollendorff, Lage, Loueke et al) and Sanders is being added to the list: one of my favourite tracks on this new release is Kelita, which at times grooves along and then lulls us into something of a wonderfully meandering diversion. The one original composition on the track and dedicated to Sargent’s wife, this is a beautiful tune.

One of the joys of reviewing albums by newly-discovered artists is selecting ‘favourite’ tracks and the other one which really spoke to me is the Jerome Kern classic The Way You Look Tonight. It is amazing that this tune won awards 90 years ago, yet still sounds fresh with Sargent’s guitar arrangement.

Sargent says: “Solo Motions asks listeners to slow down, to hear the space between notes, and to engage with the guitar as a living conversation between voices. The album traces a quiet narrative of motion and rest, complexity and simplicity, discipline and release—a testament to what becomes possible when craft meets vulnerability.”

Solo Motions brings a delightful sense of new life to some familiar tracks (and the one original, which I keep returning to) and is a lovely way to enjoy solo jazz guitar.

‘Solo Motions’ from Phil Sargent is released on 1 May