Bright Shadows

Drummer, vocalist, and composer Anne Paceo has built her career on restless experimentation, but the sophisticated adventure of Paceo’s sixth album recalls some of Peter Gabriel’s classic recordings. On nine original tracks, Paceo’s jazz combo and two guest singers traverse pop, folk, jazz, electronica, and soul with resolute originality. Paceo champions the Zimbabwean warrior Nehanda Nyakasikana on “Nehanda” with astonishing stylistic sweep: A synthesized African groove with incantatory vocals gives way to wordless singing doubled with horn, and then to a jazz fusion bridge reminiscent of Weather Report. Paceo’s musical craftsmanship is just as convincing in a breezier song like “Hope Is a Swan.” Paceo seems to be one of those rare artists who can’t help but strive for truth or beauty; here she often arrives at both.