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Hashem Assadullahi: Pieces

By Mark Corroto
April 24, 2013
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Saxophonist

Hashem Assadullahi

saxophone
b.1981

" data-original-title="" title="">Hashem Assadullahi and his core band returned to the studio to release an exceptionally strong sophomore effort with Pieces. The Texas born-Northwest cured-New York-based musician revealed his penchant for melody on his prior release Strange Neighbor (8bells, 2009). Here he builds upon that foundation with a scattering of themes from pop tunes, avant-garde leanings, and some deftly orchestrated group improvisations.

Assadullahi's returning partners here are guitarist Justin Morell and trumpeter

Ron Miles

cornet
1963 - 2022

" data-original-title="" title="">Ron Miles, who yearly receives the "artist deserving wider recognition" award for his playing. The saxophonist augments Tyler Abbott (bass) and Ryan Biesack (drums) with pianist James Miley.

To Assadullahi's credit, the music ranges in style and tone. Opening with the Eastern feel "Prized Possession," and the closing track "The Missing Piece," he knits together the ethereal and spiritual sounds, �� la

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane, of both a serious and inquiring mind. A pretty, self-possessed ballad, "The Harbinger," finds the saxophonist playing a poised soprano saxophone line over, then around, the warm tones of Miles. The music is confidently arranged throughout. "Digging Out" by James Miley, could easily be mistaken for a

Dave Douglas

trumpet
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Douglas composition. The band pounces upon their prudent interplay, meshing notes to create an unperturbed swing.

Assadullahi ventures back to the heyday of the 1960s Blue Note sound with "Fingersticks," a piece that could've been imagined by

Kenny Dorham

trumpet
1924 - 1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Dorham and

Joe Henderson

saxophone
1937 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Henderson. The sextet mines a more contemporary approach with "Dark Tower" and "User Error," which feature Miley and Biesack, respectively. The almost throwaway piece, "Pretty" is a take on 60s pop music. While its simplicity suggests BJ Thomas singing a Burt Bacharach tune, its melody gets lodged in the mind's eternal loop. And that really is not a bad thing.

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Track Listing

Prized Possession; The Straight Man (Walking the Dog on a Sunday); Pretty; The Harbinger; User Error; A Bag of Oranges; Digging Out; Seal Island; Fingersticks; Dark Tower; The Missing Piece.

Personnel

Hashem Assadullahi

saxophone

Hashem Assadullahi: saxophones; Ron Miles: trumpet; Justin Morell: guitar; James Miley: piano; Tyler Abbott: bass; Ryan Biesack: drums.

Album information

Title: Pieces | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: OA2 Records

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