Stop Time is the sixth album to
Jon Regen's name but it's better to view the 2015 release as the sequel to 2011's
Revolution. On that record, the pianist eased over from jazz to a pop/rock that recalled the melodic, keyboard-fueled singer/songwriters of the '70s -- think Billy Joel crossed with echoes of
Boz Scaggs and
Steely Dan -- but with a more sophisticated swing. With
Stop Time,
Regen goes even further into pop, sharpening his songs while deepening his groove. With regard to the latter, he's assisted by the crackerjack rhythm section of drummer
Pete Thomas and bassist
Davey Faragher -- aka
Elvis Costello's
Imposters, minus
Steve Nieve -- and producer
Mitchell Froom helps give
Stop Time an elasticity that shifts between saloon songs, exquisitely detailed pop, and casual shuffles like the title track. Throughout it all,
Regen is the star: possessing a sly wit and nimble touch, he slides into lyrical solos without losing sight of his songs, a skill that gives this album a rich, lasting resonance.