Jazz Duo Shatters Meditative Norms

Trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire and guitarist Mary Halvorson release their first duo album, Slo-Mo Neon Luminate Hoverings, building on a decade of musical rapport. The record ventures into unconventional territory, pushing lyrical and atmospheric jazz into prickly new directions. Their compositions focus on unstable textures, creating soundscapes that are ready to shift unpredictably.

Halvorson's signature delay effects are explored further, creating an intimate illusion of presence on tracks like "Nice to meet you again for the first time." Akinmusire experiments with delay pedals on "This Vivid," looping shouts that glitch and combust around Halvorson's playing. These avant-jazz stalwarts prove that a duo can generate a full, rich soundscape.

Unlike much atmospheric jazz that aims for a meditative trance, this album embraces how off-notes can disrupt a mood. The duo masterfully controls their sonic elements, allowing pieces to hang before transforming them in unconventional ways. Akinmusire and Halvorson demonstrate a firm command over their music, steering it toward surprising destinations.