Saturn Sings

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.