Saturn Sings cover

Saturn Sings

Released

On her second studio album as a leader, guitarist Mary Halvorson expands her trio with bassist John Hébert and drummer Ches Smith to a quintet, adding trumpeter Jonathan Finlayson and saxophonist Jon Irabagon (here playing alto). The numbered series of compositions that she began on 2008’s Dragon’s Head continues here with pieces 11 through 20. Her winding melodies and off-kilter rhythmic sense — Hébert and Smith skitter around like mice exploring a kitchen — are still present, but richer than ever; “Mile High Like (No. 16)” has a Latin feel with some Ornette Coleman thrown in, while “Sequential Tears in It (No. 20)” is a somber trio ballad that gives the bass a lot of room to explore. The horns are a very welcome addition — Finlayson’s solos in particular are beautiful, but when they’re both playing Halvorson’s melodies in unison, they have an almost soulful romanticism.

Phil Freeman

Suggestions
Karthago cover

Karthago

Ilaria Capalbo
Spiritual Unity cover

Spiritual Unity

Albert Ayler
Richter 858 cover

Richter 858

Bill Frisell
Album Album cover

Album Album

Jack DeJohnette's Special Edition
Odyshape cover

Odyshape

The Raincoats
The Sky Below cover

The Sky Below

Miles Okazaki
Bap-Tizum cover

Bap-Tizum

Art Ensemble of Chicago
Life Metal cover

Life Metal

Sunn O)))