John Lindberg Quintet

*2022 stock* "While not the absolutely earliest of this excellent bassist, bandleader, and composer's projects, Dimension 5 still features a photograph on the back cover that has prompted comparisons with nervous high school kids at a dance, all dressed up but afraid to ask anyone to boogie. Except John Lindberg is already holding a bass in the picture, so doesn't need a partner, and in the process of creating this recording was putting his best foot forward not to boogaloo but to establish himself as a contender in all three of his areas of obvious talent. Lindberg put together an ensemble for this project that's as sharp as his suit. 

The sense of the leader's compositions is established; he writes challenging music in which the jazz beacon has passed through the rainbow of Anthony Braxton's elaborate universe. The horns of Hugh Ragin and Marty Ehrlich are a winning hand for him, then, while the violin of Billy Bang is more of a wild card. Perhaps considered rough and unfocused at the time these pieces were originally released, time has been kind to Bang. His presence here adds a lot of personality to the music. The veteran drummer Thurman Barker fills out the rhythm section excellently." - All Music