In a blindfold listening it would be impossible to mistake Mary Halvorson for anyone else - unless it was someone copying her unique wonky detunery and maverick thinking. Cloudward doesn't disappoint and if anything further clarifies the American's approach compositionally with lean, expressive guitar lines and daring modernistically inclined band explorations of the material. This Nonesuch release has 8 new compositions by Halvorson appearing with her sextet Amaryllis - that's Halvorson, Patricia Brennan (vibes), Nick Dunston (bass), Tomas Fujiwara (drums), Jacob Garchik (trombone), and Adam O’Farrill (trumpet). Laurie Anderson guests on album track 'Incarnadine'. Out today
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