“Lundbom doesn’t stop, churning out a new release practically every year. And why should he, since the 13-year old Big Five Chord…continues to do exciting things with the guitarist’s sometimes audacious compositions.”
Karl Ackermann, ‘All About Jazz’ 06/08/16
★★★★
“Full of precarious diversions that [go] beyond well-mapped terrain. The group approaches the unfamiliar with cleverness, misdirection, and at times, a full-frontal assault on the senses. …There’s been a tendency to describe Big Five Chord as if they were sometimes treading a line between something intangible and progressive jazz. But that underplays how the group distinguishes and supports the individualities of its members, maintaining unpredictability without losing concentration or musical playfulness. Whether Big Five Chord is executing a plaintive bluesy passage or scorching their eyebrows in a freefall, ‘Play All the Notes’ wastes nothing and gives in abundance.”
Jeff Simon, ‘The Buffalo News’ 06/04/16
★★★1/2 (out of four)
“Splendid music by one of the coolest and boldest jazz bands around… The asperity of Lunblom’s [sic] soloing is powerful but what makes the EP’s irresistible is the counterpoint of Irabagon and Exclamationpoint. If you want to know where the jazz vanguard lives and absolutely flourishes in current jazz, try these guys.”
Chris Spector, ‘Midwest Record’ 06/04/16
“A progressive sax date that sounds like it could have come directly from the loft jazz/free jazz years in New York… Lundbom knows what progressive ears are looking for and delivers straight with no chaser here.”
George W. Harris, ‘Jazz Weekly’ 05/05/16
“Lundbom brings together his Big Five Chord band for a pair of EPs that mix flexibility and swing… While the sound is loose, it’s never incoherent and disarrayed… [JL&BVC] walk the tightrope without a net, teetering but never falling on this white knuckler of joy.”
Grego Applegate Edwards, ‘Gapplegate Guitar & Bass Blog’ 04/04/16
“[‘Bring Their ‘A’ Game’] has the growl of the band in improvisational fullness. Jon plays some beautiful guitar as one expects, he IS one of a kind after all. …This is take-no-prisoners out bop and more. Make no mistake. Lundbom has the subtle leadership that gets everybody to give of things their considerable all, and Jon does the same. Can I just say ‘chuck everything and get it’? Well I will. …There is something important going on!”
Tim Niland, ‘Music and More’ 03/24/16
“A thrill ride featuring shimmering guitar and burning saxophones pushed forward by excellent rhythm. The album clocks in at twenty seven minutes and keeps you riveted throughout. This is an excellent group and the music that they play is both high energy, and emotionally engaging, which works well in these short compact bursts of music.”
Karl Ackermann, ‘All About Jazz’ 03/17/16
★★★1/2
“The three long tracks make for adventurous listening. The group radiates with hard bop sensibility and a methodical madness that’s almost impossible to turn away from. …[JL&BVC] often choose unexplored paths to interpret these pieces. The democratic group approach allows each of these top-tier innovators to stretch while their interplay and group dynamics are flawless. Complex and angular lines are contrasted with the full sound of reeds; Lundbom’s notes and phrases move in and out of focus while Monaghan manages to hold all of together. It’s a high-wire act that doesn’t let down.”
Grego Applegate Edwards, ‘Gapplegate Guitar and Bass Blog’ 03/17/16
“If I make a point of covering everything JL&BVC comes out with, it is because the music they make is simply and OBJECTIVELY wonderful. …[‘Make the Magic Happen’] is a rousing start to things. As important as anything [JL&BVC has] put our way and some Lundbom guitar that will get you searching your pockets for a pick with play air guitar with. In short, excellent music!”
Dan McClenaghan, ‘All About Jazz’ 03/13/16
★★★★
“[‘Bring Their ‘A’ Game’ is] a mix a free jazz and and tight grooves, as music that blends the moods of surf rock with Bluesman Big Joe Turner’s backing band… The music is satisfyingly elemental: bass, guitar, drums and a couple of free flying saxophonists. No pretense here. Rock solid sounds out of the American jazz/rock/blues/free jazz tradition, from a fearless group of music-makers.”