This 4 song ep is the fourth such release by guitarist Jon Lundbom and his mates of Moppa Elliott/b, Dan Monaghan/dr, Jon Irabagon/as and Balto Exclamationpoint/ts. The band has a loose and swinging Mingus feel, nimble, yet with moments of left of center freedom, as on “MacGuffin” as Exclamationpoint bops with delight and during a hip reading of Ornette Colemans’ snappy “Enfant” with exciting interplay between Lundbom and Monaghan.
The team delivers a B movie detective theme on ‘Utile” and the horns get airy before bearing down into complexity during “Ghost Tattoo.” There’s an excellent balance of freedom and form here, with enough order to keep you focused yet a sufficient amount of playfulness to keep you guessing.