Sasi Shalom
Moments of Eternity
****
It is risky to name an artwork “Moments of Eternity.” That
phrase is rarely used flatteringly but pianist Sasi Shalom does not seem
particularly concerned about that. He has employed saxophonist Donny McCaslin, bassist
Desmond White and drummer Antonio Sanchez to engage in his self-penned snippets
of infinity, delivering a propulsive collection of original tunes that amount
to an hour of straight-ahead listening.
This album is dedicated to “the children and heroes of Sandy
Hook Elementary” but the record is not a maudlin meditation on loss and
violence. Only a pair of the tunes out of the seven could be defined as
ballads. For the most part, the record hovers in a muscular medium tempo,
dishing out strong solos in a more optimistic but no less respectful tone.
“Raging Bull” is an appropriately pugilistic jaunt, pushed by Sanchez’s
clanging set-up. Shalom and McCaslin spit the rapidfire melody together. White
and Sanchez combine for a funky platform for Shalom to dig into before White
jumps into a brisk walk for McCaslin’s tenor. Finally, Sanchez gets a subdued
texture for his romp, building with splashing cymbals.
McCaslin engages with his soprano saxophone on a few
numbers, exploiting its reedy shriek on opener “Shari,” named after Shalom’s
wife, and a soaring sprint on the titular ballad. He is in top form throughout
the recording, presenting soulful calls on both horns and captivating lines in
the spotlight. Sanchez and White are equally engaged, providing enthusiastic
pushes at just the right time.
Not that Shalom is outshined by his bandmates. He is lifted
by their efforts, presenting his tender compositions in the best possible
light. His spry solos and intimate accompaniment are the soul of this
recording.
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